Event Title
Conference on China and Global Climate Change : Reconciling International Fairness and Protection of the Atmospheric Commons
Location
AM308, Lingnan University
Start Date
18-6-2009 9:45 AM
End Date
18-6-2009 10:30 AM
Language
English
Description
This paper links the issues of climate change, water, and China’s security, arguing that the water-related impacts of climate change post significant strategic challenges for China and Asia, with consequent implications for China’s participation and engagement in global climate change cooperation efforts. Specifically, water-related climate impacts will strain the capacity of many key public institutions, and imperil the government’s strategic development objectives. Recognizing these imperatives points the way toward a strategic dialogue with China on climate change. This paper first discusses scientific assessments of predicted hydrological changes in China and neighboring countries under climate change, progressing to a security analysis of the challenges these changes pose, and finally discusses how Chinese policymakers and commentators view climate change and water as geopolitical issues. This paper concludes by examining implications for global climate cooperation.
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Moore, S. (2009). Climate change, water, and China’s security: Implications for global cooperation on climate change. In China and global climate change: Proceedings of the conference held at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 18-19 June 2009 (pp. 20-37). Centre for Asian Pacific Studies and the Environmental Studies Programme, Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Included in
Climate change, water, and China’s security : implications for global cooperation on climate change
AM308, Lingnan University
This paper links the issues of climate change, water, and China’s security, arguing that the water-related impacts of climate change post significant strategic challenges for China and Asia, with consequent implications for China’s participation and engagement in global climate change cooperation efforts. Specifically, water-related climate impacts will strain the capacity of many key public institutions, and imperil the government’s strategic development objectives. Recognizing these imperatives points the way toward a strategic dialogue with China on climate change. This paper first discusses scientific assessments of predicted hydrological changes in China and neighboring countries under climate change, progressing to a security analysis of the challenges these changes pose, and finally discusses how Chinese policymakers and commentators view climate change and water as geopolitical issues. This paper concludes by examining implications for global climate cooperation.