[Ciexyz]

I've heard from travelers who have come back from China that the pollution and air quality are horrendous there, but the Chinese government doesn't care - full speed ahead with economic development.

[BossLady]

LOL! The whole One Child Law resulting in a 7-16% ratio in women to men....depending on who's data you are looking at....is a factor. (China says about 7% whereas outside agencies say it's around a 16% differential.) The economic and social repercussions are the major contributor to what you mentioned.

20 million years is a good run for the River Dolphin, though!!! ;)

[TX Bluebonnet]

I was in Yugoslavia and Hungary in the early 80's before the iron curtain fell. The water pollution was atrocious. Communism has a crappy record of environmentalism, yet you never hear anything about it. It takes the money of capitalism to be able to afford clean air and water.

[Doe Eyes]

I've heard from travelers who have come back from China that the pollution and air quality are horrendous there, but the Chinese government doesn't care - full speed ahead with economic development.

Those Commies know how to deal with Environmentalist Wackos.

[Malsua]

I've heard from travelers who have come back from China that the pollution and air quality are horrendous there, but the Chinese government doesn't care - full speed ahead with economic development.

I've spent a bit of time in mainland China and this is true. Smaller rivers aren't brown or yellow, they're black. Air pollution is often so bad that when flying into Hong Kong, you can't even see the city. New buildings are covered in black streaks inside of 6 months. It's a disgusting filthy mess.

[chessplayer]

“I’ve heard from travelers who have come back from China that the pollution and air quality are horrendous there, but the Chinese government doesn’t care”

Screw them. If humans can`t adapt to breathing poisoned air, drinking polluted water, ingesting toxic levels of mercury and lead, we don`t deserve to live. Adapt or die. Survival of the fittest!