The real state of ecology & environment

China’s new ministry MEE just released the 2017 State of Ecology & Environment Report. It reports that “‘good quality’ surface water has continuously improved nationally”. However, overall groundwater and Key Lakes & Reservoirs both worsened… perhaps we are now seeing the “real” state of environment. There is no place to hide for polluters. Hear from IPE’s Wang on findings from their recent environmental impact analysis on China’s beer supply chain. From Tsingtao to Carlsberg, just how green is your beer? One unique initiative to green supply chains is the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index, which lets suppliers rank buyers’ purchasing practices. Their co-founder Dr Dickson launches the index and its first benchmark report. Plus, new solutions are also popping up. Huntsman’s Schlaefke explores how their reactive dye can save costs and water. New tech, however, needs policy support. This was echoed at an interdisciplinary forum hosted by HKU’s Centre for Water Technology & Policy to find solutions for climate resilient urban water systems, which we review. Enough about quality, what about water availability? WRI’s Dr Wang explains trends in managing China’s water stress. Despite mixed trends multi-disciplinary actions have started plus the number of river chiefs have exploded from 3Q17 to 4Q17. Surely this will make a change.