Journal of Geography and Earth Sciences

Balancing Economic Growth and Global Warming in the Development of Jiangxi Province, China
Yu-Lin Tsou, David J. Edelman

Abstract
Since the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG), primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), has increasingly put pressure on the atmosphere’s ability to absorb them. China is the fastest growing major economy in the world and is following a process of rapid industrialization. This process, however, makes a large contribution to global warming through major CO2 emissions. Widespread provision of electricity through coal-fired power plants is just one contributor, but industrial structure, transportation systems and large superblock construction of residential towers also play major roles. The large cities and industrialized provinces of China emit the most CO2, and this requires serious attention. However, stemming this trend elsewhere in China provides a greater opportunity for success. Consequently, the question this paper addresses is what policies can be adopted to reduce CO2 emissions in provincial China, where development is in its early stages, while maintaining economic growth. Jiangxi is one of the provinces of China that has historically been a major agricultural area. In recent years, however, because of the economic development policies of the Chinese central government, mineral deposits, a favorable location and convenient transportation, it is attracting more investment and development (Statistical Bureau of Jiangxi, 2010). Jiangxi, then, provides an excellent case study because the province, although developing quickly, might still produce less CO2 if proper growth policies and actions are implemented. According to the results of this research, CO2 emissions would indeed decline in Jiangxi if the province would adopt new technology for electricity generation and increase the GDP role of the service sector.

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