Position Paper: Chinas Environmental Issues

Over the years Chinas has become one of the worlds largest economies.
According to the CIA world factbook China holds the 3
rd
strongest economy in the
world with 13.37 trillion dollars GDP/PPP. This economic power was achieved
through a capitalist economic system. Despite the improvements in the countrys
economy China faces problems such as growth inequality, rural poverty and
pollution throughout its territory. It can be witnessed that Chinas environmental
situation is day by day becoming worse. Environmental regulations should be
enforced to stop this situation that shows to be detrimental for the population and
everything living within its borders. This is perhaps a downside from economic
boom, which prioritized industries over the environment.
The main factors of the precarious environmental conditions that China faces
are according to the WHO the rapid growth in the number of motor vehicles and
emissions from power stations. (World Health Organization, 2014) Chinas energy
supply is mostly obtained from coal, and as a result this releases chemicals into the
atmosphere such as Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Carbon Monoxide (CO) and various
Nitrogen Oxides. This increases the levels of PM (particulate matter) making PM a
major concern in cities. Going below the minimum 10 micrometers of PM
recommended by the World Health Organization poses a major threat to society.
Making the increasing levels of 2.5 micrometers PM in cities like Beijing rather
alarming. According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences Particulate matter (PM)
mostly comes from industrial pollution, inorganic aerosols, coal burning and
biofuels. In February 2012 in an attempt to improve the environmental conditions
throughout the nation the Government released the revised air-quality standard
including indices for the concentration of ozone (O3) and PM2.5 over a period of
eight hours (World Health Organization, 2014) Still two thirds of the cities do not
manage to fulfill the set standard.
When taking a look at the Air Pollution in World: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual
Map its impossible to remain oblivious about the fact that China is in a dire
situation. While most of the counties remain in the green and yellow indicators that
show good and moderate air pollution levels China ranges from the orange to purple
mostly. This indicates that most of the population will experience health effects
while sensitive groups of society will be more susceptible to more serious
complications. According to Worlds Health organization around 7 million deaths are
annually linked to pollution. Outdoor air pollution contributed to 1.2 million
premature deaths in China in 2010 (Wong, 2013).
If you want to better visualize the information explained above visit:
http://aqicn.org/map/world/
Despite the UN Charter not contemplating any policy over environmental protection
this situation has is completely out of hand and something has to be done. Even after
the recent growing efforts to improve the situation in which the Chinese
government shut down 35 factories in one of the most polluted provinces of china.
The government has not reached any significant progress in reducing pollution.
One possible solution could be to suggest that experts on the issue at hand from all
throughout the globe and members can attend the most polluted cities in China and
assess the damage. Furthermore, they should determine necessary regulations to be
imposed to the many factories spreading throughout China in order to moderate
and reduce contamination. China should make harsher fines for the industry. Even if
it affects the economy China has to be adamant when an industry is affecting the air
and water sources. As mentioned in the documentary The Warriors of Qiugang
factories can sometimes just pay the fine and continue with production afterwards.
It is like a running cost instead of being something that evicts abuse of people and
the environment by factories. Also, it would prove beneficial not only for China but
many nations to devise new methods for obtaining energy. China has already been
on the lookout for different methods than coal burning such as hydroelectric power.
China currently has hold of the largest hydroelectric power plant, yet it is still
mostly dependent on burning coal. Yet china has already given us a bright glimpse
to the future as of 2014 the Chinese government has started the 12
th
Five year plan
which plans to focus on clean energy sources for obtaining a sustainable growth of
the nation. This of course should be highly acclaimed and supported by
international community as it shows the good initiative the Chinese Nation has
regarding sustainable development.
The world nowadays is interdependent; nations worldwide have to start working
accordingly as change for good can only be achieved through cooperation. The
environmental situation in China should be of concern as in the near future it can
also bring consequences to nearby nations leading into a superior problem. It
should also be recognized that nations throughout the world do hold a certain
degree of responsibility in Chinas situation as factories that produce many
exporting products made to supply the global demand predominantly cause it.
Furthermore, Organization likes the UN, WHO should not abstain from acting, but
instead be more proactive as very little has been done in order to solve this situation
that in the long run will affect us all.
Bibliography
BBC News. (2014). China Profile. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13017877
Blanchard, B. (2014, March 4). Retrieved April 10, 2014, from China to 'declare war' on
pollution, premier says: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-china-
parliament-pollution-idUSBREA2405W20140305
Central Intelligence Agency. (2014, April 09). The World Factbook. Retrieved April 10, 2014,
from China: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html
Chinadaily. (2014). Retrieved April 10, 2014, from
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-12/30/content_17206080.htm
Watt, L. (2013, January 31). (The Huffington Post) Retrieved April 8, 2014, from China
Pollution: Cars Cause Major Air Problems In Chinese Cities:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/china-pollution-cars-air-problems-
cities_n_2589294.html
Wong, E. (2013, April 1). Air Pollution Linked to 1.2 Million Premature Deaths in China. The
New York Times .
World Health Organization. (2014). Retrieved April 9 2014, from Air Pollution:
http://www.wpro.who.int/china/mediacentre/factsheets/air_pollution/en/
World Health Organization. (2014). Retrieved April 10, 2014, from Ambient (outdoor) air
quality and health: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/