Thanks for the links.
I'm not so sure that "going corn" would be unethical. I mean, are Mexicans "worth more" than the Chinese"? They could export their corn and turn a tidy profit and then import wheat or rice or something or maybe grow maize.
I am under the impression that China wants to go back to using coal energy, and maybe nuclear too. Their "alternative energy" source, the Three Gorges Dam project is possibly damaging to the environment as well.
Pollution in China is a big, big, big problem. I think the government is well aware of the damage they are doing on all levels to their environment but in the end, they have decided that their "economic growth" is far more important than responsible sustainable development and growth.
However, it is precisely because of their economic growth and need for infrastructure that I had hopes they would be on the cutting edge of "greener" tech. It seemed to be a wise course to me. I don't see it as a zero-sum the way their government does. I believe, alternative energy, etc would be a win-win and even help their economy as well as helping them politically,
Like you, I also hope they will seriously consider the alternatives, but I am also afraid they could go the "Great Leap Forward" route.
I think Brazil has the right idea.
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