30 in 30 - 2006: China shifts focus to environment

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Coal is the main part of the energy solution. But it also creates other problems.

The relatively backward methods of coal production and consumption have caused irreversible damage to the environment.

At this subsidence area caused by mining in Yanzhou City, a large area of ground caved in. This forced more than 2-thousand families to leave their homes and cultivated lands. Taking a serious lesson from the past, local officials decided not to exploit the newly discovered coal mine.

A Yanzhou official said, "To mine the coal under this ground might result in more subsided land. But by preserving the coal mine, it will always be our treasure."

From the beginning of the 1990's, China's energy policies have given priority to the reduction and rehabilitation of environmental damage and pollution. In 2006, the efforts started to pay off. The people of Yanzhou City are an example of the increased public awareness in environmental protection. And China is trying to combine both energy development and environmental protection for sustainable development.

Editor:Zhang Ning