China's Growth Could Lead to 'Nightmare'

If the rest of the world is to emulate American consumption levels, competition for oil and arable land could lead to disastrous consequences.

1 minute read

March 11, 2005, 12:00 PM PST

By Michael Dudley

"If car ownership in China were to reach the U.S. level of three cars for every four people, China would have 1.1 billion cars in 2031, compared to 795 million cars worldwide now. The paving of land for roads, highways, and parking lots would approach the area now used to grow rice in China. Competition between car owners and farmers for productive cropland would be intense...And if the Chinese use oil at the same rate as Americans now do, by 2031 China would need 99 million barrels of oil a day. The world currently produces 79 million barrels per day and may never produce much more than that."

Thanks to Michael Dudley

Read the full story: Planet Faces Nightmare Forecasts as Chinese Consumption Grows and Grows

Thursday, March 10, 2005 in OneWorld.net

Environment China

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