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countryguy
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« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2017, 12:33:38 pm » |
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The fact is, China is starting to do something about it. In the US, we're about to do something about it, too -- if Republican plans come to fruition.
Much of China's pollution is coming from two main sources -- "dirty" cars, and "dirty" coal. China's economy has expanded at a tremendous pace, in recent years, resulting in a very rapid increase in the number of people driving cars and trucks. Emission standards being much more lax than in western countries, means this tremendous number of highly-polluting vehicles is increasing the amount of vehicle-generated pollution exponentially.
The fast economic growth in China has been accompanied by rapid industrial growth. Again, since China's emissions standards have been much lower than western countries, a large share of that industrial growth has been powered by coal -- "dirty", high-sulfur coal, with little or no pollution-abatement measures being taken. The result is what your linked article talks about -- high pollution, high smog levels, and the resulting respiratory distresses and disorders among the population. Higher-income Chinese can take these "... lung-cleansing trips". The vast majority of Chinese people, however, are forced to try to deal with the sometimes-unbreathable air.
China, however, is beginning to deal with the problem. They're switching their industry from "dirty" coal, to cleaner variants. They're initiating increasingly strict emissions standards, both for industry, and for automotive uses. They're investing heavily in "clean energy" alternatives, including wind, solar, and, most noticeably, hydro-electric generation. Unfortunately, results from these measures take time - a long time. But, that time can't begin, until the proper steps are taken.
The US, on the other hand, started dealing with such issues years - decades - ago. We passed the Clean Air Act -- that series of regulations that have galled conservatives to no end. We established the EPA, to monitor and enforce anti-pollution regulations -- again, much to the chagrin of conservatives. We strengthened vehicle emission standards. And, we've begun to invest heavily in alternative, "clean energy" sources. And, guess what? Yup. Conservatives are dead-set against those, too.
The new Republican administration has vowed to "relax regulations". Republicans in congress have introduced legislation to repeal much, if not all, of the Clean Air Act. They have called for the elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Republican agenda calls for an end to subsidies aimed at the further development of clean energy generation. (In fact, Republicans in Wyoming have introduced legislation which would ban the use of energy from solar and wind sources.)
Thus, my comment, above. I do remember all the people who used to come to northern Wisconsin, just to be able to breathe clean air, at least for a week or two. These days, thanks to the Clean Air Act, the EPA, higher vehicle emissions standards, the move to clean energy generation, the reduction in the use of high-sulfur coal, and other environmental regulations, they can breathe clean air at home.
But, if the Republican agenda becomes the law of the land, we'll be seeing these folks, again -- on the same kind of "... lung-cleansing trips" the wealthy Chinese people are taking. Worse, though, will be the vast majority of American people, who can't afford such a luxury -- the ones who are sick and dying, so that wealthy Republicans can become even wealthier.
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