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The false promises of coal exploitation: How mining affects herdsmen well-being in the grassland ecosystems of Inner Mongolia

Author

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  • Dai, G.S.
  • Ulgiati, S.
  • Zhang, Y.S.
  • Yu, B.H.
  • Kang, M.Y.
  • Jin, Y.
  • Dong, X.B.
  • Zhang, X.S.

Abstract

The grasslands of Inner Mongolia are not only the source of the necessary resources for the survival and development of herdsmen, but also represent a significant green ecological barrier in North China. Coal-mining production is important in maintaining GDP growth in Inner Mongolia. However, over-exploitation has created serious problems, such as pollution of the environment and significant decreases in grassland ecosystem services, in addition to impacting the well-being of herdsmen and other humans. Based on questionnaires survey performed among 864 herdsmen addressing the relationship between coal exploitation in grasslands and human well-being in Xilinguole League in Inner Mongolia, we found that (1) coal resource exploitation in these grasslands does not benefit the herdsmen by increasing their income; (2) the rapid development of this resource has not obviously materially improved the life of the herdsmen; and (3) these activities have increased the risks that herdsman will have to endure in the future. Overall, coal resource exploitation in grasslands has more negative than positive effects on the well-being of herdsmen. We propose the conservation of coal resources and improvement of ecological compensation should be carried out without blindly pursuing economic growth, instead of focusing on economic development and structural adjustments.

Suggested Citation

  • Dai, G.S. & Ulgiati, S. & Zhang, Y.S. & Yu, B.H. & Kang, M.Y. & Jin, Y. & Dong, X.B. & Zhang, X.S., 2014. "The false promises of coal exploitation: How mining affects herdsmen well-being in the grassland ecosystems of Inner Mongolia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 146-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:67:y:2014:i:c:p:146-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.12.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Van Landeghem, Bert, 2012. "A test for the convexity of human well-being over the life cycle: Longitudinal evidence from a 20-year panel," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 81(2), pages 571-582.
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    1. Zhichao Guo & Feiyu Qin, 2022. "An Empirical Analysis of the Role of Forage Product Trade on Grassland Quality and Livestock Production in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Li, Chong-Mao & Nie, Rui, 2017. "An evaluating system for scientific mining of China's coal resources," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 317-327.
    3. Cruz-Garcia, Gisella S. & Sachet, Erwan & Blundo-Canto, Genowefa & Vanegas, Martha & Quintero, Marcela, 2017. "To what extent have the links between ecosystem services and human well-being been researched in Africa, Asia, and Latin America?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 201-212.
    4. Xianwei Liu & Yang Zou & Jianping Wu, 2018. "Factors Influencing Public-Sphere Pro-Environmental Behavior among Mongolian College Students: A Test of Value–Belief–Norm Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Li, Qian & Stoeckl, Natalie & King, David & Gyuris, Emma, 2017. "Exploring the impacts of coal mining on host communities in Shanxi, China – using subjective data," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 125-134.
    6. Wenbing Guo & Mingjie Guo & Yi Tan & Erhu Bai & Gaobo Zhao, 2019. "Sustainable Development of Resources and the Environment: Mining-Induced Eco-Geological Environmental Damage and Mitigation Measures—A Case Study in the Henan Coal Mining Area, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-34, August.
    7. Mingyue Li & Pujie Zhao & Lianbei Wu & Kai Chen, 2021. "Effects of Value Perception, Environmental Regulation and Their Interaction on the Improvement of Herdsmen’s Grassland Ecological Policy Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-23, March.
    8. Hannes J. König & Aranka Podhora & Lin Zhen & Katharina Helming & Huimin Yan & Bingzhen Du & Jost Wübbeke & Chao Wang & Julie Klinger & Cheng Chen & Sandra Uthes, 2015. "Knowledge Brokerage for Impact Assessment of Land Use Scenarios in Inner Mongolia, China: Extending and Testing the FoPIA Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-23, April.
    9. Shoyama, Kikuko & Kamiyama, Chiho & Morimoto, Junko & Ooba, Makoto & Okuro, Toshiya, 2017. "A review of modeling approaches for ecosystem services assessment in the Asian region," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 26(PB), pages 316-328.
    10. Lijia Zhang & Zhenqi Hu & Dazhi Yang & Huanhuan Li & Bo Liu & He Gao & Congjie Cao & Yan Zhou & Junfang Li & Shuchang Li, 2022. "Land Use Dynamic Evolution and Driving Factors of Typical Open-Pit Coal Mines in Inner Mongolia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    11. Xiaoji Zeng & Zhifeng Liu & Chunyang He & Qun Ma & Jianguo Wu, 2018. "Quantifying Surface Coal-Mining Patterns to Promote Regional Sustainability in Ordos, Inner Mongolia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Lee Liu & Jie Liu & Zhenguo Zhang, 2014. "Environmental Justice and Sustainability Impact Assessment: In Search of Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts Caused by Coal Mining in Inner Mongolia, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(12), pages 1-19, December.
    13. Donglin Ren & Liang Liu & Xiujuan Gong & Pan Jiang & Shu Liu & Yirui Yang & Ruifeng Jin, 2022. "Effect Evaluation of Ecological Compensation for Strategic Mineral Resources Exploitation Based on VIKOR-AISM Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.

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