Write on one of the following topics:

A) Given that China's energy demands between now and 2035 are expected to almost double, and given that you have read about all sorts of reasons why China should not develop coal, nuclear, or hydroelectric power any further, and since solar and wind energy don't promise to be able to fill these enormous demands any time soon, what should Chinese leaders to about energy? Where can they conserve, and where conservation is impossible or impractical, what sources should they develop and why? How do you compare the negative environmental effects of the different forms of energy? Point to the articles on nuclear power development as well as on dams, and also James Connelly's blog and the things he cites, and get some recent quantitative assessments of energy needs in the near future. Then ask them to come up with a concrete plan, not just a discussion of the pros and (mostly) cons of various strategies.

B) Your readings on pollution present in grim statistical detail the human health and economic costs of water, indoor air, and outdoor air pollution. Put yourself in the position of an official at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and draft a 1500-2000 word report to the State Council on pollution control priorities for the next 10 years. What are the most pressing problems, and what measures would you recommend taking to alleviate them? Keep in mind not only the physical and health costs of the problems themselves, but also the power structures that will have to implement them and the public discourses about environment and development.

C) In the conclusion to his book, Bryan Tilt reflects on sustainability, one of the issues with which we began this course back in September. On page 159, he asks what is perhaps the key question of all, "what should be sustained?" Drawing on your understanding of sustainability as a scientific concept, a mantra of the cosmopolitan environmental movement, a slogan of the Chinese government, and a buzzword, and on materials that you have read and thought about throughout this course, address Tilt's question: what should be sustained? What should be the most important goals of both policy and activism in China, what are the obstacles to achieving those goals, and how might the obstacles be overcome? You can probably think of way more goals than you have space to write about in 2000 words, so concentrate on two of the goals you think should be most important. In your analysis of these goals and the means and obstacles to achieve them, make sure you present specific instances of places and communities where these goals are important.

Essays should be between 1500 and 2000 words in length, not counting bibliographic references. You may use any style (footnotes, endnotes, or embedded author and date) for references, as long as it is clear where you have gotten your information. Quotations should always be referenced, as should any information that is taken explicitly from a given source.