Air Pollution: China's Cleanest Cities

China's air pollution is a pressing issue that has severe implications for public health and the environment. The country's rapid industrialization, economic growth, and population expansion have contributed to high levels of air pollution, particularly in major cities such as Beijing. The burning of fossil fuels, coal consumption, vehicle emissions, and manufacturing outputs are significant contributors to this issue. While China has made notable progress in reducing pollution and improving air quality since declaring a 'war against pollution' in 2014, it continues to face challenges in balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.

China's air pollution: a social problem

China's air pollution is a significant social problem that has severe health, economic, and political implications. The country's rapid industrialization and economic growth have led to high levels of air pollution, threatening the well-being of its citizens and the global community.

The primary sources of air pollution in China include the combustion of coal, fossil fuel usage in vehicle engines, and biomass combustion. China's power generation is heavily reliant on coal, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Approximately 66% of the country's power was produced by coal in 2014, with an annual tonnage exceeding the rest of the world combined. The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, in northern China, is linked to a reduction in life expectancy by an average of 5.5 years.

Vehicle emissions also play a significant role in air pollution, particularly in large cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The number of vehicles in Beijing, for example, has risen to 3.3 million, with a daily increase of 1,200 more. Vehicle emissions contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air and 45% of Shanghai's air pollution. The increasing population in these metropolises further exacerbates the problem.

The social impact of air pollution in China is profound. It is estimated that air pollution causes 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths annually in China, with an additional 300,000 deaths attributed to poor indoor air quality. According to a study in The Lancet, 1.24 million people died from exposure to air pollution in 2017 alone. Since 2000, over 30 million people have lost their lives due to air pollution in China, according to New Scientist magazine.

Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Chinese government has taken steps to address air pollution. In 2013, the Academy for Environmental Planning pledged over $277 billion to combat pollution. Cities have adopted Environmental Air Quality Standards, leading to notable reductions in PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels between 2013 and 2018. China's declared "war against pollution," in 2014, has shown progress, with a 41% decline in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) since then. These improvements are expected to increase the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens by 2 years if sustained.

However, challenges remain. Despite improvements, China's air pollution levels still exceed the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines. The country's economic growth and development are often at odds with environmental protection, creating a delicate balance that the government must navigate. China's continued commitment to reducing pollution and its recent progress indicate a positive direction toward addressing this social problem.

China's war against pollution

China's rapid development over the past three decades has resulted in excessive emissions of greenhouse gases. The economic boom, increase in motorised vehicles, population growth, and manufacturing outputs have all contributed to the country's widespread air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, has had dire consequences for people's health, reducing life expectancy by an average of 5.5 years in northern China.

To combat this issue, the Chinese government has invested heavily, pledging over $277 billion in 2013. Cities began adopting Environmental Air Quality Standards in 2012, which proved effective in reducing PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels significantly by 2018. The government also recognised fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as a primary pollutant and established a national standard to limit it. As a result of these efforts, China has made remarkable progress, and if improvements are sustained, people's life expectancy could increase by up to 2 years.

However, challenges remain. Despite overall particulate pollution averages being compliant with the national standard, 30.9% of the population still lives in areas that exceed the standard of 35 µg/m³. China's pollution levels also significantly exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Nevertheless, China is making progress in reducing air and water pollution, and its forest cover is rapidly increasing. The country is setting priorities and taking steps to address the social, economic, and health impacts of environmental pollution.

Air pollution and life expectancy

Air pollution is a significant problem in China, posing a serious threat to public health. The country's rapid economic growth, rising number of motor vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing, and topography and seasonal weather are all contributing factors. China's air pollution is primarily caused by the combustion of coal, fossil fuels, and biomass, with vehicle emissions contributing to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air.

The health consequences of air pollution are severe, with studies showing that it significantly reduces life expectancy. Research in northern China found that air pollution from burning fossil fuels, mainly coal, reduces life expectancy by an average of 5.5 years. Another study estimated that an additional 10 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter pollution reduces life expectancy by 0.6 years, indicating that air pollution is the most significant environmental risk to human health.

China has recognized the severity of its air pollution problem and has taken steps to address it. Since 2014, China has been fighting a ""War against Pollution," and its efforts have resulted in significant improvements. The government has invested heavily in combating pollution, with over $277 billion pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013. Cities have adopted the Environmental Air Quality Standards, leading to notable reductions in PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels between 2013 and 2018.

The results of these efforts are promising. Between 2013 and 2017, PM2.5 levels dropped by 33% in at least 74 cities, and by a further 10% the following year. China's overall particulate pollution average is now in compliance with its national standard of 35 µg/m³. Thanks to these improvements, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live two years longer compared to 2013, provided the pollution reductions are sustained.

However, challenges remain. While China's national standard is met, pollution levels still exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Approximately 99.9% of China's population lives in areas where annual average particulate pollution levels exceed the WHO guideline. If current pollution levels persist, China could lose 3.6 billion total life years. Bringing pollution levels down to national or WHO standards would significantly improve life expectancy, with an estimated gain of 6 months of life expectancy per person on average.

The role of industrialisation

China's rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have contributed significantly to its air pollution crisis. The country's economic boom, increase in manufacturing outputs, and rising energy consumption have led to higher emissions and pollution levels.

China's industrial development has brought both opportunities and challenges. Since the reforms and opening up in 1978, China has achieved remarkable progress in industrial output, ranking first globally in the production of steel, cement, automobiles, and electronics. However, this rapid industrial growth has had a significant environmental impact, with many cities reporting air pollution levels that far exceed health-based standards.

The Chinese government has introduced various policies and measures to combat air pollution, and their efforts have shown positive results. Between 2013 and 2018, levels of PM2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO2) dropped significantly, and the country continues to make progress in its war against pollution. The government has invested heavily in pollution control, with over $277 billion pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013.

However, the government faces a complex dilemma in balancing pollution control with economic development. The six traditional high-pollution industries are crucial for economic growth and closely connected to the government, making the phase-out of polluting industries a challenging task. Additionally, the increasing number of motorised vehicles and population growth contribute to the air pollution problem, especially in large cities like Beijing, where vehicle emissions account for almost 70% of the city's polluted air.

China's air pollution has severe health implications for its citizens. The average person in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, is expected to lose 4.3 years of life expectancy due to air pollution. While China's pollution levels have been decreasing since 2014, there is still work to be done to meet the World Health Organization's guidelines and improve the country's air quality further.

China's air pollution compared to the US

China's air pollution is notoriously worse than that of the United States. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with a US AQI figure of 110. Beijing, China's capital, is a major industrial centre, home to the nation's steel industry, as well as heavy glass and cement production. The number of vehicles registered in Beijing is 3.3 million, increasing by 1200 each day. As a result, vehicle emissions contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air.

In comparison, the most polluted county in the United States is Plumas County in California, with particulate pollution in Beijing still 40% higher. Bakersfield, California, is considered America's worst city for air pollution, with a PM2.5 level of 18.2. This is far behind Xingtai, China, which has a PM2.5 level of 155.2. China's overall particulate pollution average is in compliance with its national standard of 35 µg/m³, but pollution levels exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³.

China's air pollution can be attributed to various factors, including its economic boom, a large increase in motorised vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing outputs, and natural reasons, such as topography and seasonal weather. China's use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth has resulted in it becoming the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. In 2014, China's annual tonnage of coal used was 4 billion, more than the rest of the world combined.

However, China has made significant progress in reducing its air pollution in recent years. Since declaring a war against pollution in 2014, China has reduced its PM2.5 levels by 33% in at least 74 cities between 2013 and 2017, with a further 10% reduction the following year. The Chinese government has invested heavily in combating pollution, with over $277 billion pledged by the Academy for Environmental Planning in 2013. As a result, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live two years longer compared to 2013 if the reductions are sustained.

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