The impact of energy, transport, and trade on air pollution in China

A team of U.S.- and China-based geographers examines the relationship between China's economic development and its environment by modeling the effects of energy, transport, and trade on local air pollution emissions (sulfur dioxide and soot particulates) using the Environmental Kuznets model. Specifically, the latter model is investigated using spatial econometrics that take into account potential regional spillover effects from high-polluting neighbors. The analysis finds an inverted-U relationship for sulfur dioxide but a U-shaped curve for soot particulates. This suggests that soot particulates such as black carbon may pose a more serious environmental problem in China than sulfur dioxide. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: C50, F 10, Q43, R40. 4 figures, 3 tables, 47 references. Key words: China, environment, energy, transport, Environmental Kuznets model, air quality, energy consumption, automobile emissions, coal, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power.