Beijing Background
Our post-industrial global energy infrastructure is wholly founded upon fossil fuels. These natural fuels have been extensively mined and burned in order to support the energy-intensive development and consumption of modern societies. The environmental impacts that result from the usage of these energy sources are both numerous and harsh, and include the intensification of pollution, global warming, and ecosystem destruction.
In particular, we have seen these practices significantly alter the quality of life and environment in China and its capital, Beijing. Beijing is a city with 23,000,000 people and a huge industrial sector run by fossil fuels. Air pollution, as well as water and other resource shortages, has become a huge problem in the city and has immensely impacted peoples health and well-being.
In this case study, we aim to explore the damaging health and environmental impacts of heavy fossil fuel usage and how they have spurred the fight for and transition towards clean energy in Beijing. We will also explore the underlying power dynamics and social activism that exists in Beijing’s environmental and energy sector.
References:
Scene in Beijing (Follow cjacky2221 for SP) (n.d.). Pollution, Beijing [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/elephant_god/8095359885/in/photolist-dkmQsr-fKAjm1-3RByEg-2uCfx-5WWaUv-fLwdg5-2uCex-7FqAEL-255xP8-7hrJKV-6e7Uny-pDgV22-dNkTq-gBrcRb-hBq2tR-axpJ4X-phmuSk-fGuitG-91VJzW-ppHybb-2uCdW-5EX7CL-5nPSLR-pH9Ydo-kugGhB-p8hxkN-5xZ6pA-aQbM7z-69gzaY-iqiGK-csQbts-g2ySt8-p8hcDc-gRN9c-5e8Nm6-iPtGYq-aZvRBp-qk7nrZ-58hPDw-pXpiSU-39Snbf-gBj3bb-8Uok48-8ezLZh-drnuWS-jVw8P-8uQ1eQ-gRN9J-7hXQSq-4zWAZr/