China's Pollution Crisis: What's The Solution?

China's environmental crisis, the result of decades of rapid industrialization, not only threatens the health and livelihoods of the country's 1.4 billion people but also the global fight against climate change. As the world's leading emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury, China's carbon emissions and broader environmental degradation endanger global efforts to fight climate change, as well as its own economic growth, public health, and government legitimacy. China has implemented policies to curb emissions and improve air quality, with some success, but significant challenges remain, and it is premature to celebrate the end of its war against pollution.

China's air pollution crisis

The statistics are alarming. According to various reports, air pollution in China causes between 350,000 to 550,000 premature deaths annually, with indoor air pollution contributing to another 300,000 deaths. The air quality is so poor that only 1% of China's urban population breathes air considered safe by European Union standards. The pollution has severe health consequences, including increased risks of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has led to smog, which poses significant health risks to Chinese citizens. In northern China, air pollution shortens lives by an average of 5.5 years.

China's air pollution also has international ramifications. China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its carbon emissions threaten global efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, air pollution from China affects downwind countries, and emissions such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides fall as acid rain on neighbouring nations like South Korea and Japan.

Recognising the severity of the problem, China has taken steps to address the crisis. In 2014, the country declared a "war against pollution," and since then, it has made notable progress. By 2021, China had achieved significant reductions in pollution levels, with a 41% decrease in fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) compared to 2013 levels. This progress has resulted in improved life expectancy for Chinese citizens, with an average potential gain of two years if the current improvements are sustained.

To achieve these reductions, China implemented policies such as signing the 2015 Paris Agreement, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060, and directing local governments to impose stricter controls on pollution and coal use. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, and China continues to finance coal-fired power plants abroad through its Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, while large cities have seen improvements, many regions, particularly in the north, continue to experience extreme pollution levels, highlighting the need for continued action to address the crisis.

Water scarcity and pollution

China's environmental crisis, caused by decades of rapid industrialization, poses a threat to the health and livelihoods of its 1.4 billion people and the global fight against climate change. As the world's largest emitter, China produces more than a quarter of the world's annual greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate change. The country's carbon-intensive industries have caused environmental challenges, including water scarcity and soil contamination.

Water scarcity in China is exacerbated by pollution, with the country's water resources estimated to be only 2,000 cubic meters per capita, a quarter of the world's average level. China, with its varied topography and uneven distribution of water resources, has been listed as one of 13 countries facing water shortages by the United Nations. The discharge of industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, agricultural hazardous pesticides, and manure has polluted both surface and groundwater sources. According to the 2018 "China's Water Resource Bulletin," only 81.6% of rivers, 25% of lakes, 87.3% of reservoirs, and 23.9% of shallow groundwater met the criteria for drinking water supply sources.

The dramatic economic development in China has come at an environmental cost, with widespread land use changes, increasing volumes of untreated wastewater, and agricultural runoff severely polluting the aquatic environment. The construction of hydropower dams along major rivers has also damaged ecosystems. The government has recognized the issue and released a plan in 2015, known as the "Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution," to strengthen pollution control and ensure drinking water safety. This plan includes placing controls on polluting industries.

China's plastic production and export contribute significantly to global plastic waste. The country accounts for nearly 30% of the world's plastic products and is estimated to be the leading generator of plastic waste. At least 13% of China's domestic plastic waste is released directly into the environment, amounting to millions of tons per year. Additionally, China's Belt and Road Initiative has been criticized for lacking clear environmental guidelines and leading to permanent environmental degradation through pollution, habitat loss, and wildlife mortality.

To address water scarcity and pollution, China should focus on reducing global warming, fighting water pollution, improving environmental health surveillance, and establishing health risk assessment systems. The country's commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement, pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060, is a step toward mitigating climate change and improving water security. However, implementing these measures while maintaining economic growth and addressing public discontent presents significant challenges for the Chinese government.

Soil contamination

China's environmental crisis, the result of decades of rapid industrialization, has caused widespread environmental and health issues. Soil contamination, along with air and water pollution, is one of the most pressing issues.

The State Environmental Protection Administration believes soil pollution to be a threat to the environment, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. 100,000 square kilometres of China's cultivated land has been polluted, with contaminated water being used to irrigate a further 21,670 square kilometres. The affected area accounts for one-tenth of China's cultivable land.

The problem is particularly acute in Hunan Province, which produces about 15% of the country's rice output. Here, 13% of the total area has been contaminated with waste and heavy metals from mines. Hunan Province is responsible for 32.1% of China's cadmium emissions, 20.6% of its arsenic emissions, 58.7% of its mercury emissions, and 24.6% of its lead emissions. Overall, 13.86% of grain produced in China is affected by heavy metal contamination.

In addition to heavy metal contamination, pollution from plastic waste is a significant issue in China. China is the world's leading generator of plastic waste, with at least 13% of its domestic plastic waste released directly into the environment. China is also the top source of marine plastic debris, releasing up to one million tons of plastic waste into the ocean in 2017.

The Chinese government has taken some steps to address pollution, such as signing the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate and pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060. However, implementing these pledges won't be easy, as the government must also maintain economic growth and ease public discontent.

Lead poisoning

In China, lead poisoning is one of the most common paediatric health problems. A 2006 review of existing data suggested that a third of Chinese children suffer from elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). More recent studies have shown that the average BLLs of children are still above 50 μg/L, even after the country phased out leaded gasoline in 2000. In 2017, three representative childhood lead poisoning cases were reported, with sources of exposure determined to be tin pots, home factories for tinfoil, and contamination of folk medicine.

The problem is particularly acute in rural and industrial areas. In rural areas, children living near mining sites have been found to have high BLLs, with a rate of lead poisoning of 24.1% between 1987 and 2017. In industrial areas, towns in southern China, such as Guiyu in Guangdong Province, have high rates of lead poisoning due to e-waste processing. A study in 2007 found that over 80% of children in Guiyu had BLLs greater than 10 µg/dL.

Local government responses to lead poisoning have been inadequate and, at times, covered up. There is a pattern of neglect, with economic development often taking priority over environmental protection. Censorship and intimidation of journalists, activists, and parents seeking information have also been reported.

To address lead poisoning effectively, China needs to prioritize prevention and stronger enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Developing stricter guidelines, implementing policy strategies for the prevention and management of blood lead poisoning, and continuously monitoring children's BLLs are crucial steps. Public health nurses play a vital role in preventing lead poisoning and providing health education to affected families.

Plastic waste

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of plastics. In 2021, China produced 80.1 million tons of plastic, and the country's plastic production averages 60 million tons per year, of which only about 30% is recycled. China is also the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution, with the Yangtze River being responsible for more than half of all marine plastic pollution.

China has been taking steps to address plastic pollution, especially in the last two decades, by strengthening its regulatory frameworks with the ambition to significantly reduce plastic waste. In 2017, China banned the import of most plastic waste, which had a significant impact on global environmental sustainability. China has also banned non-degradable single-use plastic straws and is transitioning from a mixed-waste collection system to a source-segregation collection system. In addition, China has implemented policies focusing on plastic packaging, disposable foam plastic tableware, and tax policy for plastic pollution control.

However, China's efforts to reduce plastic pollution have had mixed results. While the country has reduced plastic bag usage in supermarkets and shopping malls by more than two-thirds, it is still the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste. China's plastic policies primarily focus on back-end policy, with little regulatory attention on the upstream part of the plastic lifecycle.

To effectively combat plastic pollution, China should focus on tackling the root causes, such as production, design, and waste management. This includes eliminating plastic at the source, encouraging producers to take responsibility for the environmental costs of their products, and embracing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Improving waste management systems and raising awareness about the environmental risks of plastic disposal are also crucial steps in mitigating plastic pollution.

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