Beijing's Air Quality: Is It Safe To Breathe?

Beijing, China's capital, has been notorious for its air pollution, which has been caused by a combination of economic growth, a surge in motor vehicles, population growth, manufacturing output, topography, and seasonal weather. The city's air pollution levels have been so severe that masks have become a common sight on the streets during heavily polluted periods. Beijing has been taking steps to combat this issue, such as implementing a series of comprehensive air pollution control programs, including the 2013 Five-Year Action Plan, and embracing electric vehicles.

Beijing's air pollution is caused by a surge in vehicles, manufacturing output, and topography

Beijing's air pollution is a well-known issue, with the city featuring on a list of the world's most air-polluted cities. The air pollution in Beijing is caused by a combination of factors, including a surge in vehicles, manufacturing output, and topography.

The surge in vehicles is a significant contributor to Beijing's air pollution. The increase in individual wealth due to rapid economic growth and urbanisation has led to more people opting for cars over bicycles, resulting in a deterioration in air quality. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, is a major issue in northern China, reducing the life expectancy of residents by an average of 5.5 years.

To combat this, Beijing has implemented measures such as encouraging the use of electric vehicles, with Shenzhen leading the way by electrifying all of its public buses. The city has also introduced bike-sharing schemes and improved its subway system to reduce car usage.

Manufacturing output and industrial pollution also play a role in Beijing's air pollution. The Chinese Ministry of Health has reported that industrial pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country, with hundreds of thousands of citizens dying from ambient air pollution annually. The burning of fossil fuels for commercial and residential use, as well as in coal-fired power plants, contributes significantly to this issue.

Beijing's topography, or geographical features, can also influence air pollution levels. The city's location and surrounding terrain can impact the dispersion of pollutants, potentially trapping them and leading to higher concentrations in certain areas.

To address the air pollution problem, Beijing launched a five-year action plan in 2013, aiming to improve air quality and promote sustainable growth. The plan included measures such as scrapping old, polluting cars, tightening emission standards, and controlling truck traffic flow through the city. The city also launched a four-color alert system in the same year to monitor and manage air pollution levels.

The city's GDP, population, and vehicles increased by 1078%, 74%, and 335% in 20 years

Beijing has long been battling air pollution. The city's air quality index is 38, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 38, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at 9, which is above the national standard. The root causes of this are a combination of rapid economic growth, a sharp increase in the number of vehicles, and high levels of coal consumption, especially during the winter heating season.

Between 1998 and 2017, Beijing's GDP, population, and vehicles increased by 1078%, 74%, and 335%, respectively. To put this into perspective, the city's population grew by 44% in the ten years between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, from 13,569,194 in 2000 to 19,612,368 in 2010. This rapid growth has continued, with unofficial estimates putting the population at over 21 million in 2016. Beijing's nominal GDP in 2011 was $247.7 billion, with a per capita GDP of $12,447. The city's economy is growing by around 8-10% per year.

The increase in wealth has contributed to a deterioration in air quality as more people can afford cars. In the 1990s, as the number of cars on the road soared to the one million mark, the city became known for its impenetrable smog. In 1998, a roadside vendor in downtown Beijing described the situation to The New York Times: "The air is bad—you can read it in the newspapers. Look, you can't even see tall buildings a few streets from here."

Beijing has introduced various measures to tackle air pollution, including scrapping old, polluting cars, increasing inspections for vehicles, and tightening standards on emissions from diesel trucks. The city has also focused on reducing truck traffic by ordering lorries to use beltways to bypass heavily populated areas.

Air pollution is tackled through initiatives like Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and bike-sharing schemes

Beijing has been battling air pollution for many years, with the issue coming to global prominence in 2008 when the city hosted the Olympic Games. The city's air pollution has been described as "severe", with concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and PM10 above national standards, and ozone pollution in the summer is a growing concern.

To tackle this, Beijing has implemented several initiatives, including Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and bike-sharing schemes. LEZs are areas where access is restricted for certain vehicles, typically those that do not meet specific emission standards. Beijing's LEZ, launched in 2017, bans heavy-duty freight vehicles with emissions below National IV Standards from entering the city. This has had a positive impact on emission reduction, particularly for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon. By reducing emissions from vehicles, which are a major contributor to fine particle air pollution, Beijing is improving air quality and public health while also reducing economic losses associated with pollution.

In addition to LEZs, Beijing has reintroduced bike-sharing schemes to increase the use of bicycles in the city. Bicycles offer a flexible and efficient mode of transportation, especially during rush hours when subways and roads are congested. Users can easily access shared bikes through mobile apps, and payment is facilitated via online platforms. However, in 2017, Beijing temporarily banned new shared bikes as their growing popularity was causing traffic chaos and safety concerns. Despite this, bike-sharing remains an important initiative in Beijing's efforts to reduce air pollution by providing an eco-friendly transportation alternative to cars.

Beijing's fight against air pollution also includes other measures such as scrapping old, polluting cars, increasing inspections for those still on the road, and tightening standards on emissions from diesel trucks. The city's 2020 Action Plan aims to reduce the number of heavy pollution days, building on the five-year plan announced in 2013. These initiatives demonstrate Beijing's commitment to improving air quality and safeguarding the health and well-being of its residents.

Coal-burning factories and high coal consumption during winters contribute to smog and pollution

Beijing's air pollution is a well-known issue, with the city's air quality being deemed ""very unhealthy"" by the EPA. The city has been described as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its air pollution has been found to impact not only China but also downwind countries. Coal-burning industries and high coal consumption during winters are significant contributors to this issue.

To the south and east of Beijing is a large concentration of coal-burning industries. In the past, coal stoves were a common source of household heating, but they have been gradually replaced with gas stoves and other space heating methods. However, coal use is still prevalent in many households, especially in rural areas, and it has been proposed as a "clean coal" alternative to reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuels. This continued use of coal for heating and cooking has been associated with reduced lung function in both children and adults.

The burning of coal releases fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and respirable particulate matter (PM10), which are harmful pollutants. A study by the Health Effects Institute found that unhealthy levels of PM2.5 caused approximately 1.42 million premature deaths in China in 2019, with 366,000 of those attributed to coal-generated pollution in 2013. The issue is exacerbated during winters, as cold temperatures and poor atmospheric dispersion can trap pollution close to the ground, leading to severe pollution episodes.

To address this issue, the Chinese government has made efforts to transition from coal-burning heaters to natural gas and electric heating systems. However, these initiatives have faced challenges due to natural gas shortages and difficulties in implementing new policies. Additionally, Beijing has introduced plans to reduce air pollution, such as increasing the use of electric vehicles and improving emission standards for motor vehicles. These measures aim to improve air quality and safeguard the health of the city's residents.

Beijing's air pollution story is crucial for other nations and cities to learn from

Beijing has long been considered one of the most air-polluted cities on Earth. The city's air pollution story is crucial for other nations and cities to learn from, as it demonstrates the synergy between sustainable transportation and economic prosperity. Beijing's success in reducing air pollution can be attributed to a combination of strict government regulations, investments in clean energy, and local initiatives.

One of the key factors contributing to Beijing's air pollution was the high level of coal consumption, especially during the winter heating season. In response, the city shut down industrial sites, improved heating systems, and switched to other eco-friendly energy sources. As a result, coal consumption decreased, leading to a reduction in air pollution. Beijing also reintroduced bike-sharing schemes and improved its public transportation system, including electrifying all of its public buses, to reduce traffic fumes, which were another major source of pollution.

Beijing also implemented strict government regulations to tackle air pollution. In 2013, the municipal government announced a five-year action plan to address the city's severe air pollution. The plan included measures such as scrapping old, polluting cars, increasing inspections for vehicles still on the road, and tightening emissions standards for diesel trucks. The government also enforced Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which restrict access for polluting vehicles and drive the adoption of cleaner, emission-compliant modes of transportation.

The results of these efforts have been significant. Beijing's PM2.5 levels dropped, likely resulting in increased life expectancy for locals. The city's air quality improved, with fewer polluted days recorded and a decrease in the average yearly PM2.5 levels. Beijing's success in reducing air pollution has had a regional impact as well, with collaborative planning, unified standards, joint emergency responses, and information sharing improving the air quality in the broader Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The lessons from Beijing's air pollution story are clear. Firstly, addressing air pollution requires a comprehensive approach that targets multiple sources of pollution, including industrial emissions, traffic fumes, and coal consumption. Secondly, strict government regulations and investments in clean energy and sustainable transportation are essential. Finally, local initiatives and coordinated efforts with surrounding areas can have a significant impact on improving air quality. By learning from Beijing's experience and taking decisive action, other nations and cities can improve their air quality and safeguard the health and well-being of their citizens.

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