The Four Pests Campaign: Ecological and Human Costs

This chapter examines the historical repercussions of the Four Pests Campaign in China, focusing on how the extermination of sparrows led to ecological imbalance and contributed to the Great Famine. It illustrates the profound disconnect between the political leadership's perspective and the stark realities of widespread suffering among the rural population. Additionally, the chapter highlights the catastrophic effects of misguided policies that prioritized industrial production over agricultural stability, resulting in devastating famine and societal turmoil.