The Problem with Pollution In China and How Technology Can Help
The Problem with Pollution In China and How Technology Can Help
The pollution in China is at the worst it has ever been in years. Since the beginning of this year, the levels of air pollution in Beijing have been dangerously high, with thick clouds of smog chasing people indoors, disrupting air travel, and affecting the health of millions. The two weeks in the middle of January of this year have been especially bad; at one point the pollution level measured 40 times recommended safety levels (China’s Toxic Sky). Authorities are taking short-term measures to combat the current crisis, shutting down some factories and limiting government auto usage. However, long-term solutions seem distant, as China 's use of coal continues to rise, and the government remains slow to acknowledge and address the problems. On November 13th 2012, I traveled to China with 14 other students from Champlain College. I have chosen this topic because while I was traveling in China, the air quality was my biggest concern and had bothered me the whole trip. I had only traveled for a week. The citizens of Beijing have been and will live in those conditions their whole lives. This creates serious health problems with women, children and the unborn babies. For a pregnant women to be breathing in this quality of air is basically like her smoking constantly throughout her pregnancy. This causes major health problems for future generations. This is all an effect from the combination of China’s extraordinary economic growth, rapid industrialization and urbanization but the blame is also shared with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment. China is soon to become the world’s superpower. Although they have accomplished so much already, they soon have to face some serious problem. China’s main problem right now; environment protection. When compared to the United States, China’s environmental protection laws are about 200 years behind. In the United States, the Environmental
The pollution in China is at the worst it has ever been in years. Since the beginning of this year, the levels of air pollution in Beijing have been dangerously high, with thick clouds of smog chasing people indoors, disrupting air travel, and affecting the health of millions. The two weeks in the middle of January of this year have been especially bad; at one point the pollution level measured 40 times recommended safety levels (China’s Toxic Sky). Authorities are taking short-term measures to combat the current crisis, shutting down some factories and limiting government auto usage. However, long-term solutions seem distant, as China 's use of coal continues to rise, and the government remains slow to acknowledge and address the problems. On November 13th 2012, I traveled to China with 14 other students from Champlain College. I have chosen this topic because while I was traveling in China, the air quality was my biggest concern and had bothered me the whole trip. I had only traveled for a week. The citizens of Beijing have been and will live in those conditions their whole lives. This creates serious health problems with women, children and the unborn babies. For a pregnant women to be breathing in this quality of air is basically like her smoking constantly throughout her pregnancy. This causes major health problems for future generations. This is all an effect from the combination of China’s extraordinary economic growth, rapid industrialization and urbanization but the blame is also shared with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment. China is soon to become the world’s superpower. Although they have accomplished so much already, they soon have to face some serious problem. China’s main problem right now; environment protection. When compared to the United States, China’s environmental protection laws are about 200 years behind. In the United States, the Environmental
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