Setting the scene -- An overview -- Historical background -- Economic development and the environment -- China's new consumerism -- The polluted environment -- What's happening to China's air? -- Water contamination and water scarcity -- Soil pollution and agriculture -- Pollution and public health -- China's pollution the world -- Responding to environmental pollution -- Pollution and the public response -- The state and environmental pollution -- The search for cleaner energy -- Epilogue : The environmental challenge in the 21st century.