Defense Date

3-29-2010

Graduation Date

Spring 2010

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MA

Department

Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Kent Moors

Committee Member

Evan Stoddard

Keywords

People's Republic of China, natural gas, energy, global, policy, environment

Abstract

This research argues that development of unconventional natural gas is a reasonable alternative for energy future of the People's Republic of China. Four major factors, including economic growth, social development, environmental constraints, and technological breakthroughs and foreign energy expertise, are singled out as the key determinants that encourage development of unconventional natural gas in China and improvement of its energy strategy and policy.

To meet growing demand for energy resources, satisfy socio-economic needs and address environmental issues in a sound manner is a current ongoing challenge for the Chinese energy sector. Unconventional natural gas is proposed as one of the approaches in order to resolve this pressing problem. The potential contributions of unconventional natural gas are analyzed. As explored in the paper, it may provide abundant, affordable, and cleaner-burning energy to the Chinese, offering stable energy prices, security, and solutions to the climate challenge. The research concludes with policy recommendations in order to promote development of unconventional gas within the energy sector in China.

China provides a useful and illustrative case study because the challenges experienced by this country are the challenges to be addressed by the whole global community which urgently needs to establish wise relationships between energy, economy, and the environment.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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