Given the detrimental environmental impacts of manufacturing, China is dealing with pollution issues in their air, water and soil. It’s estimated that 60 percent of the country’s drinking water is contaminated. The pollution problem, and the rising global interest in sourcing materials from environmentally-friendly countries and suppliers, means there’s increased incentive for China to clean up their manufacturing processes and their environment.
Growing interest in sustainability within China is leading to greater environmental transparency, and the means and will to harness public participation via the web. The Institute for Public and Environmental Affairs, a Chinese environmental NGO, has created the China Water Pollution Map to give the public direct access to government data on the quality of the water that they drink, and details on companies that are polluting.
The China Water Pollution Map places scrutiny on the major offenders, and provides a mechanism for these polluters to be externally audited to clean up their processes, and be removed from the list. There’s also a means for individuals to post pollution information and opinions.
