Greta Jimenez
China, the world's most populous country, has been facing severe air and water pollution. The country's rapid industrialization and economic growth have resulted in immense environmental degradation, causing serious social, economic, and political challenges. Air pollution in China is primarily caused by the combustion of coal, fossil fuels, and biomass, as well as emissions from vehicles and power stations. Water pollution, on the other hand, has affected rivers and waterways, making them unsuitable for agricultural irrigation. While China has made significant progress in reducing pollution since declaring a war against pollution in 2014, it still has a long way to go to ensure safe and healthy living conditions for its massive population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.4 billion |
| Land Area | 9.6 million square kilometres |
| Air Pollution | PM2.5 levels 3 times above the WHO's recommended levels |
| Air Quality | Unhealthy for Sensitive groups |
| Air Pollution Sources | Coal combustion, fossil fuels, biomass combustion, traffic, power plants, industrial output, urbanization, motorization, population growth, manufacturing outputs |
| Deaths due to Air Pollution | 1.85 million |
| Deaths due to Water Pollution | 60,000 |
| Total Premature Deaths due to Air and Water Pollution | 760,000 |
| Cancer | Leading cause of death |
| Lack of Safe Drinking Water | 500 million |
| Unbreathable Air | 99% of the population |
| Waterways Unsuitable for Agricultural Irrigation | 20 |
| Improvement in Air Quality | 42.3% between 2013 and 2021 |
| Increase in Forest Cover | Yes |
| Reduction in Air Pollution | 41% between 2013 and 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution
The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, fossil fuels burned in vehicle engines, and biomass combustion. Emissions from power stations and vehicles are significant contributors, with Beijing's 3.3 million registered vehicles contributing to almost 70% of the city's polluted air. The emissions from power plants are particularly concerning, as most Chinese facilities do not employ flue-gas treatment to reduce harmful emissions. The country's economic boom, increase in motorized vehicles, manufacturing outputs, and population growth in large cities have further exacerbated the problem.
The health impacts of air pollution in China are severe. According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, industrial pollution, including air pollution, has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country. Ambient air pollution alone kills hundreds of thousands of citizens each year, and fine particles in the air contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. A 2012 study found that these particles, which can cause asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms, were key pollutants detrimental to the health of Chinese citizens. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, in northern China has resulted in an average reduction of 5.5 years in people's life expectancies.
Recognizing the severity of the issue, China declared a “war against pollution” in 2014. Since then, the country has made significant progress in reducing pollution levels. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels decreased by 33% in at least 74 cities, and by 2019, Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 reading of just 23 µg/m³. China has encouraged the transition from coal to natural gas and has invested heavily in combating pollution, with over $277 billion pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013. As a result of these efforts, China's fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) has been decreasing, with a 41% decline between 2013 and 2022.
Despite the improvements, China's air pollution levels still exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³, and 99.9% of the population lives in areas that do not meet this standard. If current pollution levels persist, China could lose 3.6 billion total life years. However, if pollution levels are reduced to comply with the WHO guideline, the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens could increase by 2 years. China's ongoing efforts to address air pollution, including increasing forest cover and implementing environmental protection measures, give hope for further improvements in the future.
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Water pollution
China's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution. China's water crisis is both natural and man-made. A survey of 878 rivers in the early 1980s showed that 80% of them were polluted to some extent, and that fish became extinct in over 5% of the total river length throughout the country.
According to estimates, 70% of China's rivers and lakes are currently contaminated, half of its cities have significantly polluted groundwater, and one-third of its landmass is affected by acid rain. The Yellow River is unfit even for swimming, and experts have called the Yangtze "cancerous". As hundreds of cities, including Shanghai and Chongqing, rely on these rivers for drinking water, people all over the country are suffering from China's water pollution crisis.
The central government has started to address the pollution problem by issuing stricter regulations on pollutants and investing billions of dollars in water projects. However, water quality remains generally poor. In 2006, Chongqing's tap water contained 80 out of 101 banned pollutants. China's water pollution has been confirmed to be a major cause of 40 billion cubic meters of water shortage in China per 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.
Furthermore, excess nutrients from rivers were transported to lakes and the ocean, resulting in frequent blooms and red tides that endanger human and aquatic health and ecosystem services. While inland water quality across China improved or was maintained at favorable levels from 2003 to 2017, nutrient concentrations are not expected to decrease due to future human activities and climate change. TN pollution, for example, increased during the observational period from 1980 to 2018, and TP concentrations increased from 1980 to 2015.
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Cancer and health issues
China's pollution problem has been well-documented, with severe air and water pollution posing a significant threat to public health. The country's rapid economic development and dense population have led to increased pollution, which has had a detrimental impact on human health. Cancer, in particular, has been a pressing issue in China, with industrial pollution being recognised as a leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.
The Chinese Ministry of Health has attributed cancer as the leading cause of death in China, with industrial pollution playing a significant role. The burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, power generation, and biomass combustion are major sources of air pollution, contributing to the high levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air. These fine particles can cause asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms, and have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
In 2010, lung and liver cancer were the most common causes of cancer death in China. However, the incidence and mortality of cancers associated with Western lifestyles and pollution, such as lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer, have also been on the rise. The combination of unhealthy lifestyles, including heavy smoking and poor diet, along with severe pollution, has contributed to this increase in cancer cases.
China has faced challenges in cancer treatment and prevention, with social transformations from rural communities to rapid urbanisation impacting public health strategies. The government has implemented various strategies to address regional air pollution, including the "Healthy China 2030 Plan," which emphasises improved management. Since declaring a ""war against pollution"" in 2014, China has made significant progress in reducing pollution levels. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels decreased by 33% in 74 cities, and by 2022, pollution levels were down by 41% compared to 2013.
Despite these improvements, China still has a long way to go to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines of 5 µg/m³ for PM2.5 pollution. The current pollution levels pose a significant threat to human health, reducing the life expectancy of the average Chinese resident by 2.3 years. If pollution levels were reduced to meet the WHO guidelines, the average person could expect to live 2 years longer.
In conclusion, China's pollution problem has had a significant impact on the health of its citizens, with cancer being a leading cause of death. The country has made progress in reducing pollution levels, but the health effects of pollution continue to be a critical issue that requires sustained efforts to improve air and water quality.
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Beijing's air quality
Beijing, China's capital, has a population of approximately 1.4 billion, making it the world's most populous country. It is well known that China has a pollution problem, and Beijing is no exception. Beijing's air quality is impacted by a number of factors, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, construction dust, seasonal factors, and population growth.
The air quality in Beijing varies throughout the day and season, with the early morning and late evening typically having better air quality due to lighter traffic. Spring and summer often provide better conditions for outdoor exercise, while the winter heating season and summer heat can negatively impact air quality. Beijing's air quality is comparable to other European cities of similar size.
Vehicle emissions contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air. The most dangerous pollutants include PM2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). The number of vehicles registered in Beijing is 3.3 million, and this figure continues to increase daily. In addition to vehicle emissions, industrial activities and manufacturing also contribute to Beijing's air pollution.
Beijing has made some progress in improving its air quality in recent years. In 2019, Beijing residents experienced "moderate" levels of pollution for two months and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" air quality for the remaining ten months, according to the World Health Organization. The following year, in August 2019, Beijing experienced its lowest PM2.5 reading since records began, with a level of just 23 µg/m³. This represents a significant improvement in air quality compared to previous years.
The Chinese government has made efforts to combat pollution, including encouraging the shift from coal to natural gas as a source of power and investing heavily in electric vehicles. These efforts have resulted in a decrease in China's fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) since the country announced a "war against pollution" in 2014. As a result, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live 2 years longer compared to 2013, provided that pollution reductions are sustained.
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Efforts to combat pollution
China has made significant efforts to combat pollution, recognising the severe impact it has on the health of its citizens and the environment.
China has implemented various policies, initiatives, and technologies to tackle the issue. One notable example is the war against pollution declared by the Chinese government in 2014, which resulted in an impressive 41% reduction in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) by 2022 compared to 2013 levels. This has had a positive impact on life expectancy, with Chinese citizens now expected to live two years longer than in 2013 if these reductions are sustained.
The country has also focused on transitioning from coal to natural gas as a source of power for both homes and industries, and it boasts the most electric vehicles on its roads compared to any other country. China has also invested heavily in pollution control, with over $277 billion pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013. This includes investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and emissions control through programs like the World Bank-supported Innovative Financing for Air Pollution Control Program.
To improve air quality monitoring, China has employed techniques such as satellite imagery and ground-based monitoring stations to collect accurate data on pollutant concentrations. This data is crucial for devising effective strategies to mitigate air pollution.
In addition to air pollution, China has also addressed water pollution through biological control methods. By using microorganisms to degrade pollutants in water bodies, China has reported noticeable improvements in water quality. Constructed wetlands, for instance, act as natural purifiers by filtering pollutants through vegetation and microbial action.
China has also recognised the importance of increasing forest cover and has implemented aggressive afforestation and reforestation programs, such as the Great Green Wall, planting more than 35 billion trees across 12 provinces.
While China has made remarkable progress in reducing pollution, it still faces challenges. The immense urban growth and economic development have increased the need for consumer goods, vehicles, and energy, contributing to pollution levels. However, with continued innovation, technological advancements, and collaboration between the public and the government, China is committed to achieving its environmental protection goals and ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but China is the world's most populous country with a 2019 population of approximately 1.4 billion people and is the fourth-largest country by area. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world.
There are many factors contributing to China's pollution. The enormous economic boom, a large increase in the number of motorised vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing outputs, and natural reasons, including topography and seas, are all contributors. China's rapid industrialization has resulted in immense environmental degradation.
The Chinese government has made a concerted effort to combat pollution by encouraging the change from coal to natural gas as a source of power, for both homes and industry. China has the most electric vehicles on its roads than any other country. The government has also invested heavily in pollution reduction, pledging over $277 billion in 2013.
