Hayden Wolf
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gMA1y8RfWfOIrWquO5dKS4bDAIoQ?docId=f231f85e52a444c6956e6fc91429a5f1
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Air Quality in Beijing sucks
The United States embassy in Beijing independently monitor the air quality. Last Friday that number topped 500 on the index. The poor air quality forced schools to cancel outside activities. Experts also asked that anyone with respiratory diseases to stay inside. People living in surrounding areas have complained that the government's measurement system consistently underreports the severity of the problem. Experts say Beijing's frequently bad air can be attributed to a growing number of factories and villages on the outskirts of the city that are burning coal for the winter, and 1,200 new cars hit the roads each day.
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This story does not surprise me in the least bit. With a massive population and an economy that is hinged on extremely poorly regulated factories of businesses from abroad it was only a matter of time until the environment was pushed this far. This is a testament to the need for stronger environmental standards from China or at least some that will match those of other leading industrial countries. Although the government in China doesn't have a very public agenda setting process the public needs to remember that government is a function of people, not the other way around.
ReplyDeleteThis type of issue needs to be more highly regulated. There are many countries that are developing this fast, such as India. If measures are not taken into consideration about controlling the emmisions from places like factories and energy plants, the world will continue to suffer with global warming. I feel as though most of the worlds issues with global warming have come from europe and especially the US. Now there are many more countries that are adding to the mix as the US did around the industrial age - and at a faster pace! I can see the global warming issue to take a whole new stage in the coming years as only more countries will be entering a highly developmental stage. Actions should be taken now to reduce the emissions to save out planet.
ReplyDeleteajay bohra