Warning: soil erosion and land degradation caused by productive and
constructive engineering during construction period.
Abstract
Serious environmental issues, especially soil erosion and land
degradation, caused by productive and constructive engineering in China
have not gained due attention as those issues caused by natural factors,
such as rainfall, wind or Freeze-thaw. Four field investigations
together with a statistical study have been carried out in China to
analyze environmental problems caused by clean energy projects, i.e.
photovoltaic power and wind power projects, that are considered to have
huge potential to replace traditional energy. The investigations show
that these projects brought problems of land degradation, threatening
safety and ecological degradation. Statistical analysis indicates that
the number of productive and constructive engineering causing soil
erosion was increasing year by year and reached 42.67 × 104 km2 from
2003 to 2018, the corresponding scope of soil erosion prevention and
control responsibility was 23.22 × 104 km2. Finally, seven policy
suggestions to deal with these environmental issues are proposed, which
can provide reference and guidance for the future clean energy projects
and other construction projects in China or other countries. We hope
that a thorough understanding of the unsustainable development that
leads to the deterioration of the environment in current cases will
enhance the awareness of environmental protection and contribute to the
implementation of policies that will promote sustainable development.