At the conference of the scientific work for environment held by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) in Beijing, Wang Yuqing, Deputy Director of SEPA says China's power consumption for per 10, 000 yuan GDP is 3 to 11 times higher than that of the developed countries. Its resources and environment have approached limit. The extensive development has resulted in worsening pollution. At present, the discharge of COD has amounted to 14 to 15 million tons, almost two times higher than the permitted amount. The sulphur dioxide in air has reached 19 to 20 million tons, far more than the 12 million tons. The garbage in cities nears 140 million tons, but only 54. 2 percent are processed.

Aside from dust, sulphur dioxide, polluted water, poisonous chemicals and smokes brought about by urbanization and industrialization, new problems such as invasive alien species have emerged. The pollution has spread from land to sea, from surface water to underground water, from common pollutants to poisonous or noxious pollutants. The pollution poses a grave threat to ecological system, food safety and man's health. Tackling these problems demands comprehensive measures and a high requirement for scientific work.

By People's Daily Online