Why China’s ‘Great Green Wall’ Might Not Be The Ecological Victory It Seems—A Biologist Explains

Forbes - Mar 25th, 2025

China's Great Green Wall, an ambitious reforestation project launched in 1978, aims to combat the encroaching Gobi Desert by covering 350,000 square kilometers with trees by 2050. With over 30 million hectares already planted, the project has expanded China's forest cover significantly. However, challenges persist, such as poor tree survival rates and ecological issues stemming from monoculture plantations. Despite these setbacks, the initiative has led to positive developments like the transition to sustainable land uses and the integration of renewable energy, creating cooler microclimates for vegetation.

The program's evolving strategy now emphasizes planting native drought-tolerant shrubs and preserving existing ecosystems over new tree planting. This shift aims to enhance biodiversity and ensure long-term sustainability. Nonetheless, desertification remains a formidable challenge, with China's desert cover only marginally reduced over the past decade. As China continues to adapt its approach, the lessons learned from the Great Green Wall could provide valuable insights into global climate and biodiversity solutions, highlighting the delicate balance between ambition and ecological preservation.

China Renewable Energy Climate Change Biodiversity Great Green Wall Desertification Reforestation Gobi Desert Three North Shelter Forest Program

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and balanced overview of China's Great Green Wall initiative, highlighting both its achievements and challenges. It is largely accurate, with most claims supported by credible data and scientific studies. The article is timely and relevant, addressing a topic of significant public interest in the context of global climate change discussions. While the article is well-written and engaging, it could benefit from more explicit citations and diverse perspectives to enhance its transparency and source quality. Overall, the article contributes valuable insights into the complexities of large-scale ecological projects and their potential impact on future environmental strategies.

Accuracy

The article provides a detailed overview of China's Great Green Wall initiative, with many claims backed by historical data and scientific studies. For example, it accurately states that the Three-North Shelter Forest Program (TNSP) began in 1978 and aims to cover a vast area by 2050. The article also correctly notes that China's forest cover has increased significantly, from 10% in 1949 to over 25% today. However, some claims, such as the survival rate of trees and the specific impact on groundwater levels, require further verification to ensure complete accuracy. Overall, the article is largely truthful and precise, with most claims supported by credible sources and data.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the Great Green Wall initiative by highlighting both achievements and challenges. It acknowledges the significant increase in forest cover and the strategic shifts towards more sustainable practices. However, it also discusses the ecological challenges, such as low tree survival rates and water consumption issues. While the article provides a comprehensive overview, it could benefit from including more perspectives, such as those of local communities affected by the project or independent environmental experts, to provide a fuller picture of the initiative's impact.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that makes it easy to follow. It effectively explains complex ecological concepts, such as the challenges of monoculture plantations and the benefits of integrating solar farms. The tone is neutral and informative, providing a balanced view of the Great Green Wall initiative. However, the inclusion of more specific data points and clearer attribution of sources could enhance clarity and comprehension.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as official figures and scientific studies, which adds to its reliability. The use of remote sensing data from NASA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences supports the claims about forest cover expansion and greening. However, the article does not explicitly cite these sources within the text, which could enhance its credibility. Additionally, the inclusion of more diverse sources, such as interviews with experts or local stakeholders, could further strengthen the article's authority and impartiality.

Transparency

The article provides a good level of transparency by discussing the methodology behind China's afforestation efforts and acknowledging the challenges faced. However, it lacks explicit citations for the data and studies mentioned, which would improve transparency. The article could also benefit from disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or biases in the sources used, as well as providing more context on the potential long-term impacts of the initiative.