China Develops Perfect Desert-Building Technology That Makes the U.S. ‘Envious’

China Develops Perfect Desert-Building Technology That Makes the U.S. ‘Envious’

China’s Success in Combating Desertification

China has implemented numerous initiatives to address desertification, a serious environmental challenge affecting 27% of the country’s land area. The government has employed effective aforestation methods, adhering strictly to legal regulations, and has made significant strides in reclaiming desert areas.

Key Achievements

  • Planted 7.12 million hectares of trees in 2020, increasing the total forest area to 70.4 million hectares.
  • Completed several major transportation projects in deserts, including the Yimbo Highway project and the South Xinjiang Railway project.
  • Employed eco-friendly solutions, such as planting nearly 13 million shrubs and trees along railway routes to prevent sand encroachment.
  • Installed solar power plants along the Tianyan Desert Highway, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable economic development.

Impact

China’s efforts have positively impacted the fight against climate change, enhanced carbon absorption, and reduced soil erosion. The country has also made significant progress in combating desertification, with over half of the desertified land restored since 2012.

Statistics

  • 64 million hectares of trees planted over the past decade.
  • Annual reduction of desertified land to 242,400 hectares.
  • National forest coverage rate increased to 23.4%, reflecting a 2.68% increase since 2012.

Conclusion

China’s success in combating desertification serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating the importance of investing in environmental protection and sustainable development.

TermDefinitionExample Usage
AforestationThe process of establishing a forest in an area where there was no previous forest cover.China has employed effective aforestation methods, adhering strictly to legal regulations, and has made significant strides in reclaiming desert areas.
DesertificationThe process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, resulting in the loss of biological productivity and the degradation of land.China has implemented numerous initiatives to address desertification, a serious environmental challenge affecting 27% of the country’s land area.
Carbon AbsorptionThe process by which plants, trees, and other organisms absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.China’s efforts have positively impacted the fight against climate change, enhanced carbon absorption, and reduced soil erosion.
Soil ErosionThe process of soil being worn away or removed by natural forces such as wind or water.China’s efforts have positively impacted the fight against climate change, enhanced carbon absorption, and reduced soil erosion.
Carbon EmissionsThe release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through human activities such as burning fossil fuels.Installed solar power plants along the Tianyan Desert Highway, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable economic development.
Sustainable DevelopmentA development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.Installed solar power plants along the Tianyan Desert Highway, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable economic development.
Climate ChangeA long-term change in the Earth’s climate, typically resulting in increased temperatures and more extreme weather events.China’s efforts have positively impacted the fight against climate change, enhanced carbon absorption, and reduced soil erosion.
Environmental ProtectionThe preservation and conservation of the natural environment, including the prevention of pollution and the protection of ecosystems.China’s success in combating desertification serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating the importance of investing in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Eco-FriendlyNot harmful to the environment or ecosystem.Employed eco-friendly solutions, such as planting nearly 13 million shrubs and trees along railway routes to prevent sand encroachment.
Land DegradationThe decline in the quality or productivity of land, often resulting from human activities such as deforestation or overgrazing.Desertification is a serious environmental challenge affecting 27% of the country’s land area, resulting in land degradation.

China’s Success in Combating Desertification Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge of vocabulary related to China’s efforts to combat desertification.

1. What does “aforestation” mean?

The process of cutting down trees in a forest.

The process of planting trees in a new area.

The process of protecting existing forests.

The process of transporting trees from one place to another.

2. What is “eco-friendly”?

Harmful to the environment.

Not related to the environment.

Environmentally harmful but cheap.

Environmentally beneficial or not harmful.

3. What does “encroachment” mean?

The act of protecting something from harm.

The act of moving into an area without permission.

The act of building something new.

The act of stopping something from growing.

4. What is “carbon absorption”?

The process of releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

The process of absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

The process of producing carbon dioxide.

The process of using carbon dioxide.

5. What does “reclaiming” mean?

Taking back something that was lost or taken away.

Giving up something that was gained.

Protecting something from harm.

Moving to a new location.

Answer Key:

1. B) The process of planting trees in a new area.

2. D) Environmentally beneficial or not harmful.

3. B) The act of moving into an area without permission.

4. B) The process of absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

5. A) Taking back something that was lost or taken away.


Passive Voice with the Present Perfect Tense

The passive voice with the present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. It is often used to talk about completed actions that have an impact on the present. In the given text, we can see examples of the passive voice with the present perfect tense, such as “have been planted”, “has been made”, and “has been increased”. The structure of the passive voice with the present perfect tense is: subject + has/have + been + past participle of the verb.

Quiz

1. The passive voice with the present perfect tense can be used to describe:

A) Actions that started in the past and will finish in the future.

B) Actions that started in the past and continue up to the present.

C) Actions that started in the present and will finish in the future.

D) Actions that started and finished in the past.

2. Which of the following sentences is an example of the passive voice with the present perfect tense?

A) The trees were planted last year.

B) The trees have been planted in the past decade.

C) The trees are being planted now.

D) The trees will be planted next year.

3. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses in the passive voice with the present perfect tense:

The national forest coverage rate ______________________ (increase) to 23.4%.

A) has been increased

B) was increased

C) is increased

D) will be increased

4. Which of the following sentences is NOT an example of the passive voice with the present perfect tense?

A) The trees have been planted in the past decade.

B) The trees were planted last year.

C) The trees are being planted now.

D) The trees have been planted in the past decade and the forest coverage rate has been increased.

5. The structure of the passive voice with the present perfect tense is:

A) subject + has/have + past participle of the verb

B) subject + has/have + been + past participle of the verb

C) subject + was/were + past participle of the verb

D) subject + will + be + past participle of the verb

Answer Key

1. B) Actions that started in the past and continue up to the present.

2. B) The trees have been planted in the past decade.

3. A) has been increased

4. B) The trees were planted last year.

5. B) subject + has/have + been + past participle of the verb