We tend to read numerous stories about climate change if it impacts where we live or regions we are most familiar with, most specifically detailed coverage of floods and droughts or extreme temperatures seems to be focused upon North America, Europe or occasionally Australia. That’s probably more a reflection of our media than the actual events happening around the world as northern China is currently experiencing the most extreme drought conditions seen in generations. Much of the northern third of the giant nation which is at the center of its crop growing region is dry and arid this year with the earth cracking from drought. Numerous dams in the region provide no function at present as there is no water to hold back or electricity to be generated. Some of what is normally the most fertile part of the country has seen crops either greatly reduced or completely lost due to the lack of rain. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said last month that 12.75 million acres of China’s 35 million acres of wheat fields had been affected by the drought.

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of wheat and is typically self-sufficient in that regard but 2011 looks to be a year where they will have to import enough grain to meet demand. The Chinese government have responded by investing $1 billion toward emergency activity to combat the drought primarily by a frantic commitment to dig wells although that only provides a temporary solution, the real solution can only come with the return of more typical rainfall. The hope is that this year is just a rare occurrence and not a lasting impact of the changing climate, however in the meantime many rivers are completely dry and cities in the north are ever more reliant on underground water to meet the populations needs.

Drought conditions in Shandong Provice (image courtesy Reuters)

The country is already considering long-term solutions to the problems caused by the three factors of; a more urban population, a growing population plus the existing drought conditions. China has significant water available in the South with numerous large rivers that run west to east but these lay nearly 700 miles from where the need is greatest. The country has embarked upon an amazing scheme to transfer water via pipes and canals from the South to the North in what would be one of the largest engineering projects ever undertaken, but needless to say the task which is estimated will cost China some $60 billion has already begun.

When people ask about the cost of climate change, or the need for investment in more environmentally friendly practices the doubters often say ‘it’s not needed’ or that ‘the cost isn’t justified’ but when we as a people need to divert the needed water from huge rivers nearly 1000km to sustain populations (at an outrageous cost) surely the real cost is ever more apparent? Nor is it acceptable to say that its ‘China’s problem’ – it is our global problem and climate change with the resultant costs and environmental impacts will continue to manifest in new and challenging ways. By definition that is a shared burden.