These days, I believe that the most serious pollution problem is the air pollution in Beijing. Since I’m from Beijing, I feel pretty worried about the whole air pollution thing.
Last week, when I was talking to my mother through phone, my mom told me that the sky was becoming grey these days and news about the air pollution was announced through TV, internet and newspaper. In a word, everyone was talking about the serious pollution. How bad is it? Well, the Air Quality Index (PDF topped out at 755 ppm at a monitoring station at the U.S. Embassy (on a scale of 500). The World Health Organization suggests that it should not be above 20 and more than 300 is hazardous! When I told these to my parents, they were shocked. Since the news only announced PM2.5, they don’t know exactly how bad it is!
This terrible air pollution will not only threat people’s health, it can also make the whole society unstable since people can easily hate the government because of its ineptitude and corruption. We must do something to deal with the pollution!
The government try to make some short run policy to make the air pollution index looks better. Some factories were ordered to shut down temporarily, 30% government cars are not allowed to drive, construction and demolition are ordered to stop and burning coal is limited. As we know, these policies will be abandoned as soon as the air pollution index looks better. So, I believe, some long run measures must be taken.
First of all, all the factories should abate their emission. In order to do this, the government can impose pollution tax or providing quota. The government can also provide subsidy to help factories improve their equipments. Second, old cars should be put out to pasture. Since controlling automobile exhaust gas pollution can help to reduce air pollution. Third, using Denitration of Coal-fired boiler should be required. Last but not least, I believe the structure of economy should also change. We should try to found more high level design center instead of low level sweatshop. These factories are the main factor of the pollution.
Let Beijing be Beijing, not “Greyjing”!
Interesting read, Peter! So do you mean PM2.5 is being announced to the public, but the AIr Quality Index is the more precise reflection of this situation? As you have mentioned that the factories are the main factors contributing to pollution, then I believe shutting them down temporarily will not solve the problem as well. Once they start-up again, factories may have to work extra hard or put in more hours to make-up for the time that they are losing them from halting work, and that could even place a greater stress on the environment!
Thanks Lisa. I think the air pollution index is better since we can easily compare it with the standard index. I also think changing structure of economy is the only way to sovle it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
The reduction of air pollution is one of the most important issues within the so-called Greenest City 2020 Action Plan introduced in my native Vancouver whose aim is to eliminate the negative impact that our actions have on the environment. I’m convinced if all of us contribute to that common goal by our own efforts the first positive signals will be seen even in the short term. However, I’m afraid these efforts can easily be thwarted in other countries when the significant changes you have already mentioned are not supported and promoted by the government.