The Natural Environment: Ethics and the Environment

Abstract

On November 13, 2005, an explosion at the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)’s Jilin branch contaminated the water of the Songhua River. The large-scale pollution affected millions of Chinese and Russians living along the riverbanks and cost local economies millions of yuan. In the aftermath of the explosion, local Chinese authorities initially denied that dangerous pollutants had been released. However, the carcinogenic nature of the spill became known and led to increased public anxiety and distrust of the local government. It was not until several weeks after the incident that the central government finally intervened in cleanup efforts, however, not without increased public criticism. The Songhua case highlights the issue of environmental responsibility in China. The toxic contamination of the Songhua River not only created health problems but also spread social panic and provoked an international crisis. Our particular concern is with the responses of businesses affected by environmental catastrophes and the emergence in China of a civil society capable of playing a role in promoting environmental responsibility on the part of both government and business. For a number of reasons, as we shall see, the Songhua River catastrophe may mark the tipping point in China’s efforts to enforce environmental legislation and promote environmental awareness in society as a whole.