Members of a newly group discussing international foreign policy met at the Tenafly Public Library Jan. 7 to discuss the impact of China’s pollution on the environment and how the most populous country’s rampant economic growth affects the U.S. economy.

China is the world’s largest polluter of air and water, producing 6.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide last year compared to the United States with 5.8 billion, according to a 2007 Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency study. With the Chinese economy’s continued expansion, the problem may only worsen in the future.

"China has been the greatest recipient of jobs because it’s cheaper to manufacture there," said Gus Allen, the former president of the Tenafly Rotary Club.

With the Olympic games in Beijing this August, the topic takes immediate importance.

"The pollution is just unbelievably bad," Allen said. "How would you like to be an Olympic athlete and headed toward the worst pollution in the world?"

China’s low-grade coal burning and expanding industry is not only a threat to its citizens but affects the rest of the world as well, said Bryant Nielson, president of the Tenafly Rotary Club and webmaster of the group’s website at Tenaflyonline.com.

"The pollution created in the air in China doesn’t stay in China," said Dr. Arthur Peck. "It contributes to global warming... We can’t, quote, stop China on our own. They’re too big... We have to ask ourselves: what’s the best way to work with China?"

The Tenafly Foreign Policy Discussion Group convened for the first time last month to discuss United States relations with Iraq.

The group formed when Peck, who was a member of a foreign policy club at Harvard University, suggested the idea to the library board of directors, Peck said.

"It really started with just a flyer in the [library lobby] window," Nielson said.

The group plans to hold meetings at the library’s Friends room on the first Monday of every month. The topic for Feb. 4 will focus on relations with Russia.

Not having a group president creates a democratic setting for discussions.

"It’s a collaborative thing," Nielson said.

Peck is inviting anyone interested in foreign policy to take part in the next meeting. The only requirement for potential members is to peruse the reading material on the group’s website before attending, he said. And anyone can choose a topic to lead an upcoming discussion.

"I don’t think people should be diffident about being a moderator," Peck said. "You don’t have to be an expert or give a lecture."