Warming Warnings, Parks for the Public, No Time for Overtime, and Ads in your Feed

Climate change is the first real challenge of this global generation， and， so far， it hasnt gone that well. Whether its rising sea levels threatening cities like Shanghai or expanding vectors of malaria， China must change with the climate. As the glaciers of Chinas Third Pole retreat， as new and more regular floods attack first-tier cities and rural towns alike， as wheat yields decrease in the north and entire lakes dry up in the west， the days of ignoring climate change have well and truly ended. China has a plan to limit global warming and all of its disastrous effects—it just aint cheap （see page 24）.

From the changing climate to the stagnant labor laws， next we take a look at how Chinas regulations are failing to keep working hours under control. In theory， Chinas 40-hour work week is consistent with international norms， but for many employees its little more than a cruel joke. Whether its a Walmart employee or white collar tech worker， overtime can be a cruel impossibility or a necessity to survive. Either way， the phrase “death by overwork” is becoming far too common. Learn more in “Out of Time”

（see page 32）.

And when those tired， overworked employees need somewhere to wind down， they can take a walk in the park—assuming they live near a park entrance. In “Open the Gates” TWOC?looks at the future of public spaces in China and why they are surrounded by stone walls and impenetrable gates that wouldnt look out of place in a prison film. A lovely neighborhood park that can be entered from any point sounds nice， in theory， but Chinas walled off green zones are relatively free of rabble， and the locals like it that way. Some are trying to push for more open， freer parks， but it might be a long time before Chinas public spaces become truly public （see page 38）.

From the treetops to the palm of your hand， we take a look at the art of advertising in “New Age of Ads”. Today， every personality on Weibo and WeChat is a potential revenue source， with accounts drawing millions of followers. Chinas social media sphere is kind of like a Wild West for advertisers， where businesses are keen to get their message out to quality content producers， but this is an area where regulators fear to tread （see page 44）.

Also this issue， we have a short story about a brain machine that will blow your mind in Dragons Digest （see page 10）， a fine collection of paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Gallery （see page 56）， and a sit-down with Hangzhou traditional fashion aficianado Shanzhi in Pioneer （see page 86）. If youre in the mood for travel， check out our On the Road section， where we hit Nanjing and do it Jiangnan style （architecture） （see page 60）. Or， check out our Diaspora section where we explore how South Koreas Incheon Chinatown got turned into a theme park （see page 52）.

Thank you for reading TWOC. Well be back in the new year with new columns， unique writers， and a fresh look.