The Start Of China's Air Pollution Crisis

Air pollution in China has been a growing concern since the 1980s, with the immense population growth and industrialization contributing to widespread environmental and health issues. In recent years, China has been grappling with hazardous levels of air pollution, causing severe health issues and even deaths. The country's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have resulted in immense environmental degradation, with air pollution emerging as a significant challenge. The burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, has been identified as a major contributor to air pollution in China, along with vehicle emissions and household use of solid fuels. With air quality continuing to deteriorate, China is facing a complex situation that requires balancing economic growth with environmental and social welfare.

China's rapid industrialization has resulted in intense air pollution

China's industrialization has led to a staggering expansion of heavy industry and urbanization, demanding enormous amounts of energy. The reliance on coal, the most readily available but also the dirtiest energy source, has been a major contributor to air pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels, combined with relatively low combustion efficiency and weak emission control measures, has resulted in drastic increases in air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The situation has become so severe that, in recent years, more than half of China has been enveloped in hazardous smog, with air quality reaching record lows.

Beijing, China's capital, has been at the forefront of efforts to combat air pollution. The city has made significant strides by reducing its coal consumption and transitioning to natural gas for heating and power generation. Beijing's last coal-powered power stations were marked for closure in 2012, and the city now boasts some of the strictest vehicle emissions and fuel standards in the country. These efforts have resulted in improved air quality during events such as the 2008 Olympics, giving hope for more "blue-sky days" in the future.

However, China's overall environmental crisis threatens the health and livelihoods of its 1.4 billion citizens. The intense air pollution has made cancer the leading cause of death in the country, according to the Ministry of Health. Additionally, water scarcity and soil contamination further compound the challenges faced by China's rapidly industrializing society. To address these issues, Beijing has implemented policies such as signing the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change and pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

While China grapples with the complexities of reducing emissions and maintaining economic growth, the intense air pollution resulting from its rapid industrialization continues to pose a critical challenge to the country's present and future.

Coal and cars are the two main sources of Beijing's air pollution

China's air pollution problem has been decades in the making, with the country's economic rise as a global power leading to unprecedented levels of environmental degradation. The breakneck speed of China's economic growth, driven by a massive expansion of heavy industry and urbanisation, has resulted in severe air pollution that poses a major long-term threat to public health and an acute political challenge to the ruling Communist Party.

Beijing, in particular, has been a focal point of China's air pollution crisis. The city's topography, surrounded by mountains, traps pollution within its limits. Two main sources of Beijing's air pollution are coal and cars. Coal-burning industries, located to the south and east of Beijing, release pollutants that are carried by winds into the city and trapped due to its geographical features. While Beijing has made strides in replacing coal with cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas, coal still accounts for a significant portion of the city's air pollution, especially during the winter months when more coal is burned for heating.

The number of motor vehicles on Beijing's roads has surged, with nearly 1200 added each day, leading to a doubling of the vehicle count to 3.3 million. Vehicle emissions contribute to a substantial portion of Beijing's air pollution, with estimates ranging from 22% to 45%. Newly introduced vehicles often have lower emission standards, emitting higher levels of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM).

Beijing has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including emergency actions such as mandatory factory closures and bans on motor vehicles during periods of heavy air pollution. The city has also introduced traffic restriction measures, which were notably effective during the 2008 Olympics, resulting in improved air quality that met the top grade on 50% of the days during the Games. Additionally, Beijing has some of China's strictest vehicle emissions and fuel standards, and it continues to enforce stricter standards to curb vehicle emissions.

While Beijing has shown progress in mitigating air pollution, the overall challenge facing China remains daunting. The country's continued reliance on coal-powered industries and the rapid expansion of vehicle usage contribute to hazardous air quality levels that affect the health and well-being of millions. Addressing these issues will require comprehensive policies, reforms, and a shift towards more sustainable energy sources.

The 2008 Olympics spurred Beijing to improve its air quality

Air pollution has been a long-standing issue in China, with the country's rapid economic growth and industrialization contributing to poor air quality. The situation became particularly prominent ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, spurring the city and the Chinese government to take significant steps to improve air quality.

Beijing's air quality has been a concern for decades, with the city's rapid industrialization, coal usage, and increasing vehicle emissions contributing to high levels of pollution. The issue came into sharp focus when Beijing was announced as the host of the 2008 Olympic Games in 2001. This announcement served as a catalyst for the city and the Chinese government to implement measures to address the air pollution problem.

In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics, Beijing undertook a series of large-scale actions to improve air quality. These included the relocation and closure of polluting plants, stricter emission standards, and traffic control measures. By 2008, about 140 polluting companies in Beijing and its suburban areas had been relocated, and several major polluting plants had been permanently closed. During the Olympic Games, major polluters were required to temporarily shut down or reduce production.

Additionally, Beijing implemented restrictions on private automobile use, and technicians practiced seeding clouds to induce cleansing rains. These measures, combined with natural rainfall, helped improve Beijing's air quality during the Olympics. Data showed that during the Games, Beijing's air quality reached Class I, the top grade, on 50% of the days, the best it had been in a decade.

The 2008 Olympics spurred Beijing to continue its efforts to improve air quality even after the event. For example, Beijing has been replacing coal-powered heating with natural gas, reducing the city's reliance on coal. Beijing has also implemented some of the strictest vehicle emissions and fuel standards in China, which have contributed to an overall improvement in air quality.

While the 2008 Olympics was a significant catalyst for air quality improvements in Beijing, the city and the Chinese government have recognized the need for long-term solutions to address air pollution. Beijing has undertaken multiple phases of comprehensive air pollution control programs, and the Chinese government has implemented environmental laws and interventions to reduce emissions and improve air quality nationwide. These ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing China's air pollution problem beyond the scope of a single event.

China's environmental degradation poses a political challenge to the ruling Communist Party

The Chinese government has not turned a blind eye to these issues. Over the years, various measures have been implemented to tackle environmental degradation. For instance, in 2001, Beijing, in its bid to host the Olympic Games, promised to improve air quality. The subsequent traffic restriction measures resulted in Beijing's air quality reaching Class I, the top grade, on 50% of the days during the Olympics in 2008. Beijing has also made strides in reducing its coal consumption, with four coal-powered power stations closing in 2012, and the city cutting its coal usage by 700,000 tonnes that year.

However, the challenges remain immense. China is the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases and marine debris, and it continues to expand its heavy industry and urbanisation, which require vast amounts of energy, predominantly from coal. The country's cities are often shrouded in smog, with hazardous levels of PM2.5 particulates. The public is growing increasingly concerned, as demonstrated by the rise in public demonstrations against the environmental and health risks of industrial projects.

The ruling Communist Party faces a delicate balance between maintaining economic growth and addressing the environmental and health concerns of its citizens. The socioeconomic costs of pollution are significant, driving up healthcare costs and potentially impacting social stability. The Party's political legitimacy may increasingly be tied to its ability to demonstrate progress in mitigating environmental degradation and improving public health.

Additionally, China's environmental practices have drawn international scrutiny. The country's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been criticised for ignoring global labour and environmental standards, with host economies suffering unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. China's actions on the world stage, particularly in contrast to those of other superpowers, are under the spotlight as they impact its global reputation and leadership aspirations.

Air pollution contributes to millions of premature deaths in China

China's rapid industrialization and urbanization have resulted in intense levels of air pollution, which have severe social, economic, and political implications. The country's economic growth, which has lifted millions out of poverty, has come at a cost: environmental degradation on an unprecedented scale.

Air pollution in China contributes to millions of premature deaths annually. A study by the Health Effects Institute found that unhealthy levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, led to approximately 1.42 million premature deaths in China in 2019. Household air pollution from burning solid fuels caused an additional 363,000 deaths in the same year. The problem is particularly acute in large cities, where the concentration of vehicle exhaust is much higher. According to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, vehicle emissions accounted for about 45% of Beijing's air pollution in 2018 and nearly 30% in Shanghai.

The Chinese language has adopted a new word, "meter-busting," to describe the severity of the country's air pollution. Levels of PM2.5 have reached record highs, with monitoring equipment struggling to cope. Central and eastern China are enveloped in smog, with hazardous levels of PM2.5 affecting more than half of the country. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei triangle in the north is suffering the worst of it, with cities like Shijiazhuang, Beijing, and Nanjing shrouded in smog.

The primary sources of air pollution in China include industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage. Coal combustion from industry, electricity, and domestic sources is the most significant contributor to ambient PM2.5, causing 40% of population-weighted PM2.5 in China in 2013. Beijing, in particular, has struggled with coal-powered heating, but the city has made strides in recent years, replacing coal with cleaner alternatives. In early 2012, Beijing's last four coal-powered power stations were closed, and the city reduced its coal consumption by 700,000 tonnes that year.

While China's leaders have implemented measures to improve air quality, they face a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental and social welfare. The challenge of reducing air pollution while maintaining economic development is a complex one, and it remains to be seen whether China can successfully address this issue.

Frequently asked questions