Kiera Jefferson
China's rapid industrialization has led to intense levels of pollution, presenting serious social, economic, and political problems. The country's pollution is caused by a variety of factors, including coal-burning power plants, large-scale construction, vehicle emissions, and the improper disposal of electronic waste. In recent years, China has made efforts to combat pollution, with some success. However, it remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and its pollution levels still exceed the World Health Organization's guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | In 2007, the World Bank stated that "hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness have been caused by exposure to industrial air pollution." The New York Times reported in 2007 that "ambient air pollution alone kills hundreds of thousands of citizens." The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that outdoor air pollution was associated with approximately 300,000 premature deaths per year in China. According to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, vehicle emissions were to blame for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018 and nearly 30% of Shanghai's in 2019. |
| Water pollution | From 2000 to 2008, the quality of surface water worsened in northern China. In 2008, 20.8% of 409 monitored sections of China's 200 major rivers were below grade V, the worst grade in the Chinese National Standard for Water Quality. Exposure to contaminated drinking water has been linked to increasing rates of digestive cancers and infectious diseases such as hepatitis and cholera. |
| Soil pollution | 38,610 square miles (100,000 km2) of China's cultivated land have been polluted, with contaminated water being used to irrigate a further 31.5 million square miles (21,670 km2). An estimated 6 million tonnes of food grain are contaminated by heavy metals every year, causing direct losses of 29 billion yuan (US$2.57 billion). |
| Light pollution | Light pollution significantly influences the quality and health of wildlife. In the 1990s, the increasing trend in light pollution regions occurred mainly in larger urban cities, mostly in eastern and coastal areas. In the 2000s, nearly all urban cities were dominated by an uprising trend in light pollution. |
| Plastic pollution | In 2011, China produced 2.3 million tons of electronic waste, and the annual amount is expected to increase as the economy grows. In addition, large amounts of electronic waste are imported from overseas. |
| Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) | In 2016, Beijing's yearly average PM2.5 was 73 μg/m3, a 9.9% improvement compared to 2015. Since China announced a "war against pollution" in 2014, PM2.5 pollution has been decreasing, with pollution levels down by 41-42% compared to 2013. |
| Overall particulate pollution | While China's overall particulate pollution average complies with its national standard of 35 μg/m3, it still exceeds the WHO guideline of 5 μg/m3. Particulate pollution reduces the average Chinese resident's life expectancy by 2.3-2.5 years relative to the WHO guideline. |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution
Electricity generation has been the primary source of air pollution in China, with coal-powered industries being key contributors. The use of coal by households, especially in rural areas, also significantly impacts air quality. In addition, the total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, making transportation a major culprit.
The health impacts of air pollution are significant. According to a 2005 report by Chinese environmental experts, outdoor air pollution was estimated to cause approximately 380,000 premature deaths in 2010 and 550,000 in 2020. A combined World Bank and SEPA report from 2007 suggested that up to 760,000 people die prematurely each year in China due to air and water pollution.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had to upgrade its air pollution scale in Beijing during the Winter of 2011-2012, as the pollution levels exceeded 500ppm, the previous maximum value. The air quality was so poor that visibility was severely reduced, and people experienced physical discomfort, including burning lungs, teary eyes, and itchy skin.
China has taken measures to address air pollution, and there have been notable improvements in recent years. Beijing, in particular, has shown significant progress, recording its best monthly air quality in 2021 since records began in 2013. China's pollution levels in 2021 were 42% lower than in 2013, and this success has positively impacted global pollution trends.
However, despite these improvements, China remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and its particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO's guidelines. The balance between economic growth and environmental protection remains a significant challenge for the country.
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Water pollution
China's rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to intense levels of water pollution, which presents serious social, economic, and political problems. The country's economic growth has been largely powered by coal, a cheap but highly polluting source of energy. In 1990, 76.2% of all energy consumed in China was generated by coal, and while this figure has decreased over time, coal still accounted for 57.7% of energy consumption in 2019.
The country's extraordinary economic growth and industrialization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution. Today, approximately 700 million people in China, over half of the population, consume drinking water contaminated with levels of animal and human waste that exceed maximum permissible levels. According to estimates, 70% of China's rivers and lakes are contaminated, and one-third of the country's landmass is affected by acid rain. The iconic Yellow River frequently runs dry before reaching the Yellow Sea, and experts have described the Yangtze as "cancerous".
The central government has begun 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 2005, a chemical explosion at a petrochemical plant spilled 100 tons of pollutants into the Songhua River, leaving 3.8 million residents without water for four days. About 80% of China's 7,500 dirtiest factories are located near rivers, lakes, or in heavily populated areas, increasing the potential for future pollution incidents.
China is also undertaking massive water projects, such as the Three Gorges Dam, which will create a reservoir extending 600km behind the dam and submerging farmland, houses, and entire cities. The dam is intended to prevent flood disasters and generate electricity, but critics argue that it will allow pollution to gather and contribute to the spread of disease. Another project is the South-North water diversion, which aims to engineer three new waterways to carry water from southern China to the dry north.
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Plastic waste
China is the world's largest producer and exporter of single-use and virgin plastics (new plastics made without any recycled materials). In 2021, China produced 80.1 million tons of plastic, and in 2020, the country produced about 60 million tons of plastic waste, of which only 16 million tons were recycled. China consumes at least one-fifth of the world's plastics, and on average, only about 17% of the plastic used in China is recycled.
China has been the main importing country of plastic waste, with annual imports reaching 8.88 million tons before the country's plastic import ban. However, much of this waste was buried or mismanaged, contributing to environmental problems. China's contribution to the global plastic crisis includes being the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste and the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution. The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, has been linked to more than half of all marine plastic pollution.
China has recognized the need to address its environmental impacts and has taken aggressive strides to combat the growing problem of plastic pollution. The country has implemented policies such as a ban on free shopping and carrier bags, a ban on the production and use of non-degradable single-use plastic straws, and a tax policy for plastic pollution control. China has also transitioned from a mixed-waste collection system to a source-segregation collection system.
While these efforts are a step in the right direction, China's plastic policies primarily focus on back-end policy, with less regulatory attention on the upstream part of the plastic lifecycle, such as the prodigious production of plastics. China's rapid economic growth, largely powered by coal, has resulted in immense environmental degradation, including air and water pollution. The country faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare.
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Economic growth vs environmental protection
China's rapid economic growth has lifted millions of people out of poverty, but it has also resulted in severe environmental degradation. The country's economic development has been largely powered by coal, a cheap but highly polluting source of energy. While coal consumption has reduced, from 76.2% of all energy consumed in 1990 to 57.7% in 2019, it still accounts for over half of China's energy usage. As a result, China's air quality has suffered immensely, with electricity generation historically being the main source of the country's air pollution.
In addition to coal, other sources significantly contribute to China's air pollution. The total number of vehicles in China reached 360 million in 2020, making them a major culprit. Large-scale use of formaldehyde in the construction industry also contributes to indoor air pollution. China's environmental agency has been accused of downplaying the health impact of air pollution, with a 2007 report stating that up to 760,000 people die prematurely each year due to air and water pollution.
However, China has made notable strides in combating pollution in recent years. In 2021, Beijing recorded its best monthly air quality since records began in 2013, with the country's environment minister proclaiming that the "Beijing Blue" had become the new normal. China's pollution levels in 2021 fell by 42% compared to 2013, and the average Chinese citizen's lifespan increased by 2.2 years, according to the Annual Quality Life Index report.
Despite these improvements, China remains the world's 13th most polluted country, and its particulate pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization's guidelines. The country's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to enhance trade routes, has been criticized for lacking clear environmental guidelines and leading nations away from sustainable economic development. China's recycling practices have also been scrutinized, with the "National Sword" policy disrupting the global plastic scrap trade and resulting in the mismanagement of plastic waste in developing countries.
Striking a balance between economic growth and environmental protection is a complex challenge, particularly for developing countries like China, whose economic development relies heavily on industrialization and motorization. As China continues to prioritize economic growth, it is crucial to address environmental concerns and implement sustainable practices to ensure the health and well-being of its citizens and the planet.
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Health impact
China's pollution problem has had a significant impact on the health of its citizens. The country's rapid industrialization and economic growth have resulted in severe air, water, and soil pollution, posing serious health risks to its population.
One of the most pressing health concerns is the high level of air pollution, particularly in urban areas. The burning of solid fuels, such as coal, and vehicle emissions are major contributors to this issue. Particulate matter, especially PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers), poses the greatest danger to human health as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. High levels of PM2.5 have been linked to various adverse health effects, including respiratory problems, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. According to a study by the Health Effects Institute, unhealthy levels of PM2.5 led to approximately 1.42 million premature deaths in China in 2019. The situation is even more severe in combination with other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, which are also present in high concentrations in many Chinese cities.
Water pollution is another critical health issue in China. Industrial discharges have contaminated waterways, rendering many unfit for direct human use. Water-borne pollution has been associated with diseases such as diarrhea, bladder and stomach cancer, further contributing to premature deaths. Additionally, soil pollution, caused by both industrial activity and solid waste disposal, has contaminated food grains with heavy metals, leading to economic losses and potential health risks for consumers.
The health impact of pollution in China varies across regions. Studies have shown that the correlation between air quality and health differs between Eastern and Central/Western China. For example, in Central/Western China, longer durations of good air quality in autumn and winter were positively associated with higher health scores, while an inverse correlation was observed in Eastern China.
The Chinese government has recognized the seriousness of the situation and has taken steps towards addressing environmental and health issues. In 2007, China introduced its first National Environment and Health Action Plan, aiming to establish nationwide surveillance networks and improve information sharing between government agencies and stakeholders. Additionally, the government has increased its investment in environmental protection, with a focus on building an energy-saving and environmentally friendly society. However, balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare remains a significant challenge.
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Frequently asked questions
China's pollution levels in 2021 had fallen by 42% compared to 2013, according to a report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. Despite this, China remains the world's 13th most polluted country, with particulate pollution levels that are 40% higher than in the most polluted county in the US.
Electricity generation has historically been the main source of China's air pollution. However, large coal-powered industries and coal-burning power plants have become key drivers of the country's air pollution. In 2017, the steel industry became the biggest polluter in China, surpassing electricity generation.
Air pollution has contributed to premature deaths and serious respiratory illnesses in China. A report by Chinese environmental experts estimated that outdoor air pollution would cause 550,000 premature deaths per year by 2020. The World Bank also reported that indoor pollution contributed to 300,000 deaths annually.
China has implemented initiatives such as the "National Sword" policy, which restricted the import of recyclable plastic scrap. Additionally, during the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II, the Beijing government temporarily shut down industrial facilities and reduced car emissions, resulting in improved air quality.
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to enhance trade routes and connectivity with the world. However, the implementation of BRI projects has been criticized for lacking clear environmental guidelines, safety standards, and worker protections. These projects have negatively impacted water quality, polluted land, and disrupted ecosystems in several countries.
