Pollution over China

Pollution over China
Jul 21, 2007 17:47
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: offline	A blanket of smog/pollution laid over all of China during my 3 week visit this year. It appears much worse than last year, although that could be the weather conditions during my visit. The pollution in Beijing appears severe enough to have an impact on Olympic performances. The only place I found with clear air were the Miao villages - not even Emei Shan was free of the smog. Having grown up in the former steel town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I remember pollution as thick as what I saw this summer. It had serious health implications for people my age and older. But Pittsburgh has clean skies now. It took leaders about 20 years to clean up the air, but they did succeed. I hope it does not take as long in China as it did in Pittsburgh. What are you thoughts?

Jul 21, 2007 17:47

GRIZ326
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Join Date: Jun 12, 2006
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A blanket of smog/pollution laid over all of China during my 3 week visit this year. It appears much worse than last year, although that could be the weather conditions during my visit.

The pollution in Beijing appears severe enough to have an impact on Olympic performances. The only place I found with clear air were the Miao villages - not even Emei Shan was free of the smog.

Having grown up in the former steel town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I remember pollution as thick as what I saw this summer. It had serious health implications for people my age and older. But Pittsburgh has clean skies now. It took leaders about 20 years to clean up the air, but they did succeed. I hope it does not take as long in China as it did in Pittsburgh.

What are you thoughts?

Jul 21, 2007 17:53	#1
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Here is a picture of the smog on Emei Shan.

Jul 21, 2007 17:54	#2
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	Here it is...

Jul 21, 2007 21:35	#3
APAULT Points: Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Status: Offline	Griz, while I know there is air pollution I think some of this haze is actually from dust in the atmosphere from Mongolia etc. I lived in the north a year ago and the light coloured dust has to be swept daily. So you are back already, seemsonly yersterday you set out! Look forward to hearing about your travels.

Jul 22, 2007 17:06	#4
GRIZ326 Points: Join Date: Jun 12, 2006 Status: Offline	I am familar with the dust swept into Beijing from the desert, but I do not believe that accounts for the pollution I saw. I think it was just stinky old pollution, Paul. ...and yes...3 weeks goes terribly fast when you like where you are visiting.

Jul 22, 2007 20:24	#5
LEONARDO Points: Join Date: May 21, 2007 Status: Offline	Well, GRIZ326, polution is the cost of unsustainable development. Although there are lessons for China to learn, people are inclined to be blind to the lessons because few people actually can take a long-term perspective . Anyway, which city do you think is the most severely polluted in China?

Jul 23, 2007 00:49

GRIZ326
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Beijing seemed to have the thickest pollution, but it was heavy everywhere. The pollution in Nanning was just a bit thinner than in the other major cities. I know that China will solve these problems, but unfortunately the global community will expect miracles. ...an immediate clean-up...

It took many years in the USA...where we developed much of the necessary clean air technology and policies. ...but it takes time....will the global community be patient or lend a helping hand?

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