Transcript China`s Economy

China’s Economy
The Past, Present and Future
The Past…
• The People’s Republic of China formed in
1949. This government, led by Mao
controlled the entire economy.
• In 1978 China opened its doors to world
trade. China now allows people greater
economic independence to own
businesses and to make a profit.
Currency
• China’s unit of currency is called the
YUAN. Currently one US dollar
equals six yuan.
How has this changed China’s
economy?
World Ranking in GDP
( Gross Domestic Product=Value ($) of Goods made in a country in a year)
1. The USA
2. The European Union (28 EU countries)
3. China
How has China’s growing economy
changed its people?
The GOOD NEWS…
China’s people have a higher standard of living. They
enjoy more modern ways and material goods.
Can you name something the Chinese might
enjoy because of a higher standard of living?
How many people live in
China?
•1.3 billion people
What do the Chinese desire?
• http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player
/view/assetGuid/5ABB6519-121C-4AC887FE-AE4B2908B0A9
The BAD NEWS
• Modern Industrialized Countries leave
greater carbon footprints.
• What is a Carbon Footprint?
– It is the amount of carbon dioxide we send
into the atmosphere.
The SCARY News
• The USA contributes 20% of the world’s
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Twenty percent of the footprint is made
by our country!
• China currently contributes 18% of that
carbon footprint.
Pollution in China is Widespread
When listing the top 20 most polluted
world cities, 16 are cities in China!
The world’s most polluted city is Linfin,China
What is the source of this “polluting energy”?
Imagine the city of Beijing…describe the skyline….
Two days in Beijing…low grade coal burning
produces the scene on the right…
Workplace safety in China is also in
question.
• Silicosis
Severe Burns at Zinc plating factory
MORE SCARY NEWS
By 2040 China’s GDP will equal that of the
USA and the European Union
What does this mean?
China currently has a population that is four
times greater than our country.
If China wants to “live like us” what will
happen to the Earth’s resources?
Prosperity?
• Hunnan Province
Matsutake Mushrooms
If I asked you to buy one pound of
mushrooms at Redner’s Market
what would you pay?
An average pound of China’s Matsutake
Mushrooms costs 120 dollars!
Why is this an environmental problem?
Let’s Calculate the Environmental
consequences of China’s “Role Modeling of
the average American consumer
7960 kw (Amer use)/ 880 kw (Current Chinese Use) =
The USA uses 9 times more energy when compared to
China!!!
If there are 4 people living in China for every person in
US…
The world will need to find 36 times more energy to meet
China’s energy demand!
How can you use this information
about China’s economy?
• As a student?
• As a worker?
• As a consumer of goods?