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Understanding China’s environmental challenges: lessons from documentaries

Author

Listed:
  • John Chung-En Liu

    (Occidental College)

  • Huijing Huang

    (Occidental College)

  • Jingyi Ma

    (Occidental College)

Abstract

Films can be powerful tools in teaching environmental studies. In this paper, we examined 36 environmental documentaries on China for their content, theme, production, and reception with a view towards using them as teaching tools. In our analysis, the films roughly fall into five categories: (1) globalization and global environmental justice, (2) urbanization and displacement, (3) human-nature relationships, (4) the fossil fuel economy, and finally, (5) civil society and the environmental movement. We also discuss the politics of documentary-making in China. Many of the independent filmmakers identify as activists and present alternative perspectives to mainstream narratives. They strive to document the realities among the marginalized populations. Close to half of the documentaries we analyzed are censored in China due to either foreign production, collective action potential, or excessive popularity. Despite political constraints, high-profile environmental documentaries have enabled a number of significant policy changes in China in recent years. In sum, this paper can serve as a “viewing guide” for students and instructors to learn about China’s environmental challenges through films.

Suggested Citation

  • John Chung-En Liu & Huijing Huang & Jingyi Ma, 2019. "Understanding China’s environmental challenges: lessons from documentaries," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 9(2), pages 151-158, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:9:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s13412-018-0526-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-018-0526-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacobsen, Grant D., 2011. "The Al Gore effect: An Inconvenient Truth and voluntary carbon offsets," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 67-78, January.
    2. Monty Hempel, 2015. "The uses and limitations of film in environmental education," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 5(2), pages 237-239, June.
    3. King, Gary & Pan, Jennifer & Roberts, Margaret E., 2013. "How Censorship in China Allows Government Criticism but Silences Collective Expression," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(2), pages 326-343, May.
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