Can Chinese Culture Save China’s Environment?

October 23, 2014
Pulitzer Center

The Chinese government and people, confronted with colossal environmental challenges, are turning to cultural traditions that under Communism had long been suppressed.

In the midst of a worsening environmental crisis, with constant reports of contaminated soil and water and record levels of air pollution, China’s government is appealing to traditional religions for help. The country needs to construct an “ecological civilization,” officials say, and traditional culture has a key role to play.