6. Climate Change and the Environment: The Chindia (China and India) Dilemma

In recent decades, China and India’s economic development brought both countries to the forefront as the two largest emitters today. Reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and a plethora of other studies highlight that both countries face similar threats from ecological degradation. Apart from ecological degradation, China and India face additional challenges related to food and water scarcity due to the impacts of climate change. However, as emerging players in the international economy, China and India face other developmental challenges such as socioeconomic development and poverty. Climate change, environmental degradation, and food security will have to be balanced precariously with developmental goals. This chapter examines Chindia’s (China and India) Dilemma by looking at the challenges both countries face. We have examined China and India in this chapter by exploring (1) Chindia’s economic developments thus far, (2) the impacts of climate change on food security in Chindia, and (3) approaches Chindia undertake to address the associated problems.