中国西部地区生态环境的历史演变过程与未来可能变化趋势是科学界面对的一大难题，正确认识西部地区生态环境的演变过程与变化趋势，是西部地区社会经济可持续发展必须面对的课题，是正确制定西部大开发战略方针的重要科学基础。依托中国科学院牵头完成的《中国西部环境演变评估》研究成果，介绍了中国西部地区生态环境演变的主要特征与基本事实，主要强调近50年来全球变暖与人类活动在西部生态环境演变中的重要作用；指出未来的气候与环境变化对西部地区的经济社会发展将产生重要影响；提出了西部地区生态保护与可持续发展的对策与建议，指出西部地区的生态建设必须综合治理、突出重点，特别强调要强化对西部地区的科学研究，为西部大开发服务。

The ecological and environmental change in West China in the past and its trend in the future is a great scientific problem facing scientific circles. Understanding correctly the ecological and environmental change process in the past and its trend in the future in West China will contribute to achieve the sustainable development of economy and society of West China, and constitute the scientific basis for developing the strategy of speeding up the development of West China.
Based on the result of “Assessment on the Environmental Change in West China”, this paper introduces the principal characteristics and basic facts of the ecological and environmental change in West China in the past, and emphasizes that global warming and human activities have played an important role in the ecological and environmental change in West China in the past 50 years. The paper points out that the changes in climate and environment in the future will have a far-reaching effect on the economic and social development in West China.
The recommendations for the ecological protection and sustainable development in West China are put forward in the paper. The paper also points out that the ecological recovery and protection in West China should be developed comprehensively and made focal points stand out. In order to support the implementation of the strategy of developing West China, the scientific research on the ecology and environment and the economic and social development in West China should be strengthened.