Greta Jimenez
China's land is affected by pollution in various ways. The country's rapid industrialization and urbanization have resulted in increased soil pollution, with contaminated water being used for irrigation and solid waste covering cultivable land. China's waste production has increased, and insufficient efforts to develop capable recycling systems have been attributed to a lack of environmental awareness.
China's air pollution, caused largely by coal combustion and vehicle emissions, have led to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths. Water insecurity, caused by overuse and industrial pollution, has also led to severe water shortages. Additionally, desertification, negligent farming practices, and the effects of climate change have contributed to soil degradation.
The Chinese government has implemented policies to curb emissions and stem environmental degradation, such as signing the Paris Agreement and pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, challenges remain, including the country's dependence on coal and other fossil fuels, as well as the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Industrial pollution
China's industrial pollution is a result of its rapid industrialization since the 1978 reform. Industrial pollution has been found to have a significant impact on the country's aquatic and soil ecosystems. The most serious effects of industrial pollution are reflected in the degradation of aquatic and soil ecosystems, and damage can be observed from the species, population, and community to the ecosystem level.
The following are the main ways in which industrial pollution affects China's land:
- Soil pollution: Industrial activities can produce a large number of toxic and harmful substances, such as soot, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These substances are discharged into the soil through exhaust gas deposition, wastewater discharge, and waste residue dumping. Soil ecosystem health is threatened in the form of physicochemical property change, biodiversity loss, microbial community structure change, soil enzyme activity, and soil structure change.
- Water pollution: Industrial sewage discharge, which includes pollutants like TN, TP, petroleum, oxygen-consuming organic matter, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants, can affect the aquatic ecosystem at different levels from species, population, and community to the whole ecosystems, and leads to the deterioration of water quality and degradation of habitats.
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Air pollution
The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, fossil fuels burnt in vehicle engines, and general biomass combustion. Emissions from power stations are considerably higher than those recorded in other industrialised countries. This is mainly due to the fact that factory emissions were not subjected to any type of filtration system before release. However, this is changing as more and more factories are required to retrofit flue-gas desulphurisation technology, which removes harmful sulphur dioxide (SO2) from fumes.
The enormous economic boom, large increase in the number of motorised vehicles, population growth, and increase in manufacturing outputs are also factors contributing to China's air pollution. For instance, the number of vehicles registered in Beijing is 3.3 million, and this figure increases by a further 1200 each day. Emissions from vehicles contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air.
In recent years, China has made progress in its attempts to improve air quality. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels were reduced by 33% in at least 74 cities. The following year, it fell by a further 10%. The Chinese government has encouraged the change from coal to natural gas as a source of power and has invested heavily in combating pollution. Over $277 billion was pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013.
Despite these efforts, it is premature to celebrate the end of China's war against pollution. The PM2.5 concentration of 29 μg/m³ falls short of the WHO standard of 5 μg/m³. More concerning is that after a decade of decline since 2013, overall PM2.5 levels in China rebounded for the first time in 2023. This increase occurred in 80% of China's provincial capitals, including Beijing.
The increasing dependency on fossil fuels is also a major concern. Following widespread electricity shortages in 2021, China authorised 218 GW of new coal power. By 2023, China's coal production reached a record 4.66 billion metric tons. Consequently, coal's share of China's energy mix returned to the 2017 level of 60%. This escalating reliance on fossil fuels significantly contributes to air pollution.
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Water pollution
Paragraph 1: Water Pollution and Health Risks
China's rapid industrialization and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in water treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution. Over half of China's population, approximately 700 million people, consume drinking water contaminated with unsafe levels of animal and human waste. This has led to an increased risk of exposure to infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The health consequences are dire, with an estimated 190 million people falling ill each year due to contaminated water. Alarmingly, more than 30,000 children die annually from diarrhea caused by polluted water. China's water pollution crisis has also been linked to various health abnormalities, including cancer, stunted growth, low IQs, miscarriages, and birth defects.
Paragraph 2: Economic Impact of Water Pollution
Paragraph 3: Sources of Water Pollution
The main sources of water pollution in China are industrial waste and agricultural chemicals. Factories release untreated waste and chemicals into rivers, with a pollution accident occurring every two to three days, on average. Additionally, agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, used on crops can turn into toxic runoff that contaminates groundwater.
Paragraph 4: Government Efforts and Challenges
The Chinese government has recognized the severity of the water pollution crisis and has taken some measures to address it. They have issued stricter regulations on pollutants and invested in water projects. However, the complexity and fragmentation of the water resource management system, as well as the treatment of water as a common property resource, have hindered effective solutions. Efforts to control flooding, such as the construction of dams, have sometimes created additional problems, including the collapse of reservoirs and the submergence of farmland and cities.
Paragraph 5: Health and Social Impact
Paragraph 6: International Impact
China's water pollution has not only affected its own citizens but also had international repercussions. Pollutants from China's industrial emissions have been transported to other countries, affecting air quality in South Korea, Japan, and even the United States. China's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which finances fossil fuel infrastructure projects abroad, has also contributed to global climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions in participating countries.
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Soil pollution
China's rapid industrialisation and economic growth have resulted in increased soil pollution, with an estimated 38,610 square miles (100,000 km2) of cultivated land affected. Heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, have contaminated the soil, posing adverse health effects on human metabolism. Ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation of these toxic substances can lead to serious health issues.
The Chinese government has recognised the severity of the problem and implemented various measures to address it. In 2019, China's first comprehensive law to prevent soil pollution came into effect, holding polluters accountable. Additionally, in 2021, the government invested RMB 4,633,000 million (£526,000 million) in soil remediation. However, the challenge of fixing the issue is complex and costly.
Moreover, soil pollution has implications for food security and sustainable agriculture. With nearly one-fifth of arable land contaminated, ensuring safe and sufficient food production is a growing concern. The presence of heavy metals in rice, a staple food in China, has reached toxic levels in some regions, prompting the government to recommend that citizens diversify their rice intake.
The issue of soil pollution in China is complex and multifaceted, involving various factors such as industrial activities, agricultural practices, and waste management. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive approach that includes strict regulations, improved waste management, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
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Desertification
Human activities that contribute to desertification include unsustainable land use practices, such as overgrazing, deforestation, and the intentional removal of vegetation. These activities speed up the process of desertification and destroy habitats, leading to biodiversity loss.
The Chinese government has implemented several measures to combat desertification, including the Ningxia Desertification Control and Ecological Protection Project, which aims to restore vegetation and protect infrastructure in degraded areas. The government has also promoted the use of ecological practices and improved restoration methods, such as the introduction of diversified indigenous grasses and shrubs.
Despite these efforts, desertification continues to have devastating impacts on China's environment and society. It affects food security and people's livelihoods, leading to crop failures, livestock deaths, and water scarcity. It also forces communities to migrate, contributing to social and economic instability.
To address these challenges, China has committed to reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy. It has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and is taking steps to increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and nuclear power.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution has contaminated China's land, with 100,000 km squared of cultivable land being polluted, and 21,670 km squared being irrigated with contaminated water. This has led to an estimated 6 million tons of food grain being contaminated by heavy metals every year, causing direct losses of $2.57 billion.
The presence of heavy metals in the soil has adverse health effects on human metabolism, with ingestion, skin contact, diet, respiratory intake, and oral intake all being possible routes of exposure. Air pollution in China contributes to an estimated 1.1 million premature deaths annually, with respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases being commonly linked to poor air quality.
Environmental issues cost the Chinese economy billions of dollars each year, with some estimates putting the toll at up to 10% of GDP.
China has implemented policies to curb emissions and stem further degradation, such as signing the Paris Agreement on climate and pledging to be carbon neutral by 2060.
