Bronte Wells
China is considered the largest developing country in the world, with active economic growth and a huge number of citizens. It is also the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the largest source of marine debris, and the leading generator of plastic waste. China's pollution problem has been well-documented, with a 2007 article in the New York Times stating that environmental degradation is so severe that it poses a major long-term burden on the Chinese public and an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party. Air pollution in China leads to about 2 million deaths in China per year, with ambient air pollution causing more than a million of those deaths. China's pollution levels had fallen by 42% in 2021 compared to 2013, indicating that the country's 'war on pollution' efforts are making progress. However, issues such as unsafe industrial processes, coal-burning power plants, and plastic waste continue to contribute to environmental degradation and public health threats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | Kills an estimated 2 million people in China every year |
| Causes diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections | |
| China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases | |
| Water pollution | 500 million people in China are without safe and clean drinking water |
| China is the top source of marine plastic debris | |
| China released up to one million tons of plastic waste into the ocean in 2017 | |
| Soil pollution | China is the world's greatest emitter of mercury, a neurotoxin |
| Light pollution | Significantly influences the quality and health of wildlife |
| One-third of Chinese children suffer from elevated serum lead levels |
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What You'll Learn
China's air pollution crisis
China is the world's largest developing country, with a huge population and rapid economic growth. This growth has resulted in increased burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, which has led to smog and air pollution. China's air pollution crisis has severe environmental and health impacts, affecting the quality of life and economies.
Air pollution in China exposes people to fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and the cardiovascular system. This causes serious health issues, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and respiratory infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide annually, with China contributing significantly to this figure. The Chinese Ministry of Health has also declared industrial pollution as the leading cause of cancer in the country.
The problem is particularly acute in major cities, with only 1% of China's 560 million city dwellers breathing air considered safe by European Union standards. Beijing, for example, has struggled with poor air quality, as evidenced by its frantic attempts to clear the skies before and during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Other cities like Tianjin, Chongqing, and Shenyang have also been identified as having high levels of particulate matter.
The Chinese government has recognized the severity of the issue and has implemented various measures to combat air pollution. In 2012, stricter air pollution monitoring of ozone and PM2.5 was ordered, and since 2013, China has launched anti-pollution campaigns targeting PM2.5, the most harmful particulate matter. These efforts have shown positive results, with a significant drop in PM2.5 concentrations and an increase in the number of days with good air quality.
However, the crisis is far from over. While China has made improvements, especially during the COVID-19 era, recent reports indicate a rebound in PM2.5 levels in 2023. Additionally, other pollutants like ozone (O3) are on the rise, and China continues to face challenges in reducing emissions from power plants and addressing water pollution. Nonetheless, China's success in steeply reducing pollution has contributed to the decline in global pollution levels, and experts predict a potential increase in average life expectancy if these reductions are sustained.
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Water pollution
China's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have resulted in widespread water pollution. The country's rivers have suffered profound water quality impairments due to the undeniable pressure of economic development since China's Reform and Opening-up in 1978. Water pollution in China is a major cause of 40 billion cubic meters of water shortage in the country each year.
The elevated input of anthropogenic nutrients is a critical cause of reduced water quality in Chinese rivers. According to estimates, the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) input to rivers in China in 2012 were 28 Tg and 3 Tg, respectively. Additionally, excess nutrients from rivers were transported to lakes and the ocean, resulting in frequent episodes of blooms and red tide, endangering human and aquatic health.
China's extraordinary economic growth has outpaced its investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, leading to critical deficits. This has increased the risk of exposure to infectious and parasitic diseases, industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and algal toxins. The lack of coordination between environmental and public health objectives, as well as the fragmented system for managing water resources, has exacerbated the problem.
The Chinese government has taken steps to address water pollution, such as the Total Amount of Pollutants Control Plan proposed in 2000, and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution enacted in 2008. However, nutrient concentrations are expected to continue rising due to human activities and climate change.
The water pollution problem in China has severe consequences for human health. Approximately 700 million people in China consume drinking water contaminated with levels of animal and human excreta that exceed maximum permissible levels. This has led to a public health crisis, with one-third of Chinese children suffering from elevated serum lead levels. The export of environmental problems has also incited considerable international concern.
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Light pollution
China, the world's largest developing country, has been facing severe pollution problems for years. While air pollution is a well-known issue, light pollution is another environmental concern that significantly influences the quality and health of wildlife.
Rural areas generally experience lower levels of light pollution, but the introduction of bright lights can have a profound impact on local ecosystems unaccustomed to artificial light at night. The increase in artificial light during the night has altered natural patterns, disrupting the lives of numerous species. Nocturnal animals, which rely on the cover of darkness for survival, are especially vulnerable. Light pollution affects their hunting and foraging habits, mating rituals, and migration paths.
To mitigate the effects of light pollution, strategies such as adopting energy-efficient LED lighting and implementing regulations to manage the intensity and direction of outdoor lighting have been proposed.
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Mercury air pollution
China is considered the largest developing country in the world, with fast industrial growth and a huge number of citizens. It is the world's greatest emitter of mercury, a neurotoxin and a major public health threat when it pollutes the air, water, and soil. China leads the world in mercury air pollution from its coal-burning power plants and the plants that Chinese companies finance and operate in other countries. Mercury pollution is widespread and has been reported at many sites in China, primarily caused by activities related to mercury and gold mining, metal smelting, and chemical production.
Coal combustion, metal smelting, artisanal gold mining, and cement production are the major sources of atmospheric mercury emissions in China. The atmospheric mercury levels in China are much higher than the global background level, and the atmospheric mercury deposition rate is approximately three times the global average. In 2013, the US Embassy in Beijing recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 700 on two separate occasions in January, and record smog in Northeast China temporarily closed schools and Harbin Airport.
In the past decade, China has proactively implemented emission control measures that have successfully reduced emissions of many air pollutants, including mercury. Over a decade of continuous observations at four Chinese sites showed that gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations continuously increased until the early 2010s, followed by significant declines at rates of 1.8%–6.1% per year until 2022. The GEM decline from 2013 to 2022 was estimated to be between 38% and 50%.
Despite these improvements, the overall level of air pollution in China remains unhealthy, and air pollution from China continues to affect downwind countries. It is estimated that air pollution causes about 2 million deaths in China per year, with ambient air pollution alone causing more than 1 million deaths. In northern China, air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, principally coal, is causing people to die on average 5.5 years sooner than they otherwise might.
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Plastic pollution
China is considered the largest developing country in the world, with active economic growth and a huge number of citizens. It is the world's biggest producer, consumer, and exporter of plastics, specifically single-use and virgin plastics. In 2020, China produced about 60 million tonnes of plastic waste, with only 16 million tonnes of it being recycled. On average, only about 17% of the plastic used in China is recycled. China is also the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste and is the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution. The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, has been linked to more than half of all marine plastic pollution.
The effects of plastic pollution are far-reaching. One study discovered that all 21 species of sea fish and freshwater fish from Chinese waters that were examined had ingested plastic. This means that people consuming fish have also been consuming plastics. Humans already ingest about 5 grams of plastic each week on average, about the weight of a credit card.
China has taken some steps to combat plastic pollution. For example, Zhejiang's provincial authority launched a digital platform for controlling marine plastic pollution, and the country has collaborated with the UN and the Republic of Korea to clean up marine litter in the Yellow Sea. China has also implemented policies to improve air quality, such as substituting coal consumption with natural gas and renewable energy sources.
Individual actions and consumer choices can also help reduce plastic pollution. For instance, refusing disposable cutlery and straws and using reusable bags for shopping can send a powerful message and shape markets.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but China is considered the largest developing country in the world with a huge number of citizens and active economic growth. As such, it has a significant pollution problem.
Air pollution is a major issue in China, with emissions from power plants considerably higher than in other countries.
Industry, transportation, coal power plants and household solid fuel usage are major contributors to air pollution. China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Air pollution is responsible for about 2 million deaths in China per year. It causes diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections.
The Chinese government has implemented a war against pollution, including limiting the number of cars on roads in major cities, banning new coal plants from the most polluted areas, and cutting emissions from existing plants. These efforts have led to a 42% decrease in pollution levels between 2013 and 2021.
