![\"Zhangjiajie](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/tianzishan_wulingyuan_zhangjiajie-550.jpg\")
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We hear and see a lot about the air pollution in Chinese cities, but what we don’t hear about is the rising environmental awareness that such problems inspire or the long range plans that China has to bring people and nature together. \u00a0These efforts are exemplified in the second\u00a0China Nature Education Forum (CNEF) that was held in Liangzhu Cultural Village and the Student Conference on Conservation Sciences (SCCS) held in\u00a0Beijing, both last November.<\/p>\n
It’s not surprising that once people have food, clothing, shelter, security and the niceties that a booming economy brings,\u00a0they begin to think about the consequences of their rising good fortune and the potential effects upon their health and the health of the environment around them.<\/p>\n
“Ever since we entered the 21st century, the rapid population growth, global economy development, the extending of human ecological footprint and a series of climate and\u00a0environment problems brought by it have gradually become a threat for the living of human beings. At the meantime, people in an increasing number have realized that sustainable development and ecological civilization are the inevitable demand and historical selection for human society.”\u00a0\u2014 Chinese Student Conference on Conservation Sciences<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n
A 2012 article in Ambio<\/em> (Ambio. 2012 Mar; 41(3): 247\u2013261.<\/a>) discussed the “political, institutional, legal, environmental, and economic issues concerning National Parks in China, and examines their potential future development.” \u00a0Since 1982 when the first modern national park was established in China, the country has established 1,865 areas that are the equivalent of national parks. \u00a0The creation of these parks came about under pressure of\u00a0a growing middle class that wants to recreate and has concerns about\u00a0depletion of natural resources.<\/p>\n If these motivations sound familiar, perhaps you experienced the birth of the modern environmental movement in the U.S. in 1960’s and 70’s. \u00a0What is happening now in China is driven by the same motivations as drove that environmental movement 50 years ago. \u00a0While it may seem surprising, it really shouldn’t be: people everywhere want the same things out of life. \u00a0While the issues\u00a0and the methods to deal with those issues\u00a0differ around the would, the ultimate goals are the same.<\/p>\n China has had varying success in achieving those two goals of ecotourism simultaneously as can be seen in the wilderness nature of \u00a0Zhangjiajie National Forest Park displayed in the photo at the top of this page (Photo Credit: By chensiyuan –\u00a0GFDL<\/a> via Wikimedia Commons<\/a> ) and the man-made structure, an elevator, in the photo to the right, from the same national park (Photo Credit: by Bobohk2 – just travel there needless to say. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a> via Wikimedia\u00a0Commons<\/a>). \u00a0Ultimately, success will be measured in the way China is able\u00a0to provide suitable places for the rapidly growing demand for outdoor recreation there\u00a0and thus bring people to nature in the most positive way possible.<\/p>\n![\"Zhangjiajie](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Zhangjiajie-elevator-225.jpg\")
<\/a>In the U.S., the environmental movement, even today, continually faces competing economic objectives. \u00a0The situation is no different in China. \u00a0The growth in national parks in China was born in\u00a0this environment. \u00a0Besides habitat protection and recreation for local residents, \u00a0the national parks in China are also intended to encourage\u00a0ecotourism. \u00a0That is, \u00a0recreational visitation by non-locals that brings economic benefits without degrading the available resources.<\/p>\nNature Education<\/h1>\n
![via Wikimedia Commons<\/a> ) and the man-made structure, an elevator, in the photo to the right, from the same national park (Photo Credit: by Bobohk2 – just travel there needless to say. Licensed under](\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File%3A1_tianzishan_wulingyuan_zhangjiajie_2012.jpg\"){kind=link}