Helena Joyce
China is the world's most populous country, with a population of approximately 1.4 billion people. It is also the world's fourth-largest country by area, with a total land area of 9.6 million square kilometres. In recent years, China has experienced a massive economic boom, becoming the world's leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury. This rapid economic growth has come at a cost, however, as the country now faces serious environmental issues, particularly air pollution.
The causes of China's air pollution can be attributed to several factors, including the economic boom, a large increase in motorised vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing outputs, and natural reasons such as topography and seasonal weather. The number of vehicles registered in Beijing, for example, is 3.3 million, with an additional 1200 new vehicles added daily. Emissions from vehicles contribute to almost 70% of Beijing's polluted air.
The effects of air pollution are far-reaching and pose a significant threat to public health. Fine particles in polluted air can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and respiratory infections. According to the World Bank, outdoor air pollution alone causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in China each year.
China has recognised the severity of this issue and has taken steps to improve air quality. Between 2013 and 2017, the levels of PM2.5, a major air pollutant, were reduced by 33% in 74 cities, and this figure fell by a further 10% the following year. The Chinese government has encouraged the switch from coal to natural gas and has invested heavily in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. These efforts have shown positive results, and if they continue, China's air quality is expected to improve further in the coming years.
What You'll Learn
Beijing's air pollution
The Chinese government has implemented several measures to tackle this issue, with a particular focus on the transport sector. For instance, Beijing introduced a city-wide lottery system for license plates, making it easier for people to obtain plates for electric cars than for fossil fuel-burning cars. The government also mandated the scrapping of old, polluting vehicles and increased the frequency of inspections for those still on the road. In addition, Beijing has been encouraging the use of electric buses, with 6,584 electric buses now part of the city's public bus network.
These efforts have yielded some positive results. By the end of 2017, Beijing's air quality had improved noticeably. The annual average PM2.5 concentration dropped to 58ug/m3, a 35% reduction from 2013 levels. The concentrations of sulphur dioxide and nitrous dioxide also decreased significantly during this period.
However, Beijing's air pollution remains a concern, with nitrogen dioxide and PM10 concentrations above national standards. Ozone pollution in the summer is an emerging issue, and the city is currently working on another air pollution control plan outlined in its 2020 Action Plan. Beijing aims to reduce the number of heavily polluted days by 25% from 2015 levels.
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China's greenhouse gas emissions
China's emissions are largely attributed to its industrial activities, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage. The country's rapid economic growth and urbanisation have significantly contributed to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. China's emissions are not only detrimental to its citizens but also have global implications, affecting the world's economy and global health.
To address the issue, China has implemented policies and targets to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy sources. The country has made significant progress in renewable energy, with a rapid rollout of wind and solar capacity, surpassing its NDC target six years ahead of schedule. China is also a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) production, accounting for over half of the world's EV sales.
Despite these efforts, China's emissions remain high, and the country faces challenges in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. The CAT (Climate Action Tracker) rates China's policies and targets as “Highly Insufficient”, indicating that they are not consistent with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit.
To strengthen its climate policy and meet its long-term carbon neutrality target, China needs to control and reduce its fossil fuel dependence, improve the formulation and coverage of its climate targets, and accelerate the decarbonisation of high-emitting industry sectors.
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Air pollution's health impact
Air pollution in China has a range of health impacts on its citizens. The World Health Organization defines good health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Air pollution in China has been linked to a range of physical and mental health issues, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and pulmonary issues.
Physical Health Impacts
Air pollution in China has been linked to a range of physical health issues. Fine particles in the air, which are caused by industrial pollution, can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and respiratory infections. Lead poisoning has also been described as one of the most common pediatric health problems in China, with one-third of Chinese children suffering from elevated serum lead levels.
Mental Health Impacts
Air pollution can also damage mental health, though this area has been less studied. One study found that air pollution was linked to a decrease in mental well-being and subjective well-being.
Mortality Rates
Air pollution has also been linked to increased mortality rates in China. According to one study, air pollution leads to about 2 million deaths in China per year. Of those deaths, ambient air pollution alone caused more than 1 million deaths, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused another million deaths in the same period. Another study estimated that 1.24 million people died from exposure to air pollution in 2017. Since 2000, the number of people who have died from air pollution in China tops 30 million.
Life Expectancy
Air pollution has also been linked to decreased life expectancy in China. One study found that severe pollution during the 1990s cut five and a half years from the average life expectancy of people living in northern China. Another study estimated that if the air pollution level in China was below the minimum level causing health loss, the average life expectancy would have been 1.25 years greater.
Most Affected Areas
The areas most affected by air pollution in China vary depending on the type of pollution and the specific health impact. In terms of physical health, the cities with the worst air quality include Anyang, Xingtai, Shijiazhuang, Handan, Linfen, Tangshan, Taiyuan, Zibo, Jiaozuo, and Jincheng. In terms of mental health, one study found that the central/western region of China was more affected than the eastern region.
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Water pollution
China's water supply has been contaminated by the dumping of toxic human and industrial waste. This has led to the contamination of groundwater in 90% of the country's cities and has been linked to high rates of liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer.
The coastal manufacturing belt is the most affected by water pollution, despite the closure of thousands of pollutant sources. Rural areas also lack wastewater treatment systems, and agricultural waste, particularly farm fertilizer, has contributed significantly to water contamination.
China's rapid economic growth and industrialization have exacerbated water pollution. Multinational companies often ignore their suppliers' environmental practices, prioritizing cheap goods over environmental sustainability. Poor environmental regulations, weak enforcement, and local corruption have allowed factories to discharge wastewater into lakes and rivers, with severe consequences for nearby rural communities.
The Chinese government has implemented various measures to address water pollution, including stricter regulations and the Detox campaign launched by Greenpeace in 2011. However, groundwater pollution remains a significant challenge and is often overlooked compared to visible air pollution.
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Soil pollution
The areas mainly affected by soil pollution in China include the country's industrial belt along the eastern coast and inland provinces in central and western China. The presence of heavy metals in the soil, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, nickel, chromium, and zinc, has adverse health effects on human metabolism. These toxic substances can enter the human body through ingestion, skin contact, diet via the soil-food chain, respiratory intake, and oral intake.
In recent years, the Chinese government has started taking measures to address the issue of soil pollution. In 2018, China adopted its first soil pollution law, demonstrating a shift in prioritizing the environment over GDP growth. The law includes preventative measures to protect the soil from future pollution and holds polluters and land users accountable for risk management and remediation obligations. However, the effectiveness of these provisions depends on the availability of sufficient financing for cleanup efforts.
Experts have called for more government focus on crop safety and demanded that contaminated sites be removed from the food production chain. Restoring soil health is crucial to ensure food safety and protect public health. The need for reorientation of the Chinese development model, which has focused on rapid economic growth, has been emphasized by analysts.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing is one of the most polluted cities in China, with 3.3 million vehicles contributing to almost 70% of the city's air pollution. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country in the world, with a US AQI figure of 110.
The air quality in China is slowly improving, with levels of PM2.5 reduced by 33% between 2013 and 2017 in at least 74 cities. In 2019, the cleanest city in China was Linzhi, Tibet, with a US AQI figure of 27, while the dirtiest city was Hotan in Xinjiang province, with a US AQI figure of 179.
The main causes of air pollution in China include the country's economic boom, a large increase in motor vehicles, population growth, increased manufacturing outputs, and natural factors such as topography and seasonal weather.
To improve air quality, China has encouraged the switch from coal to natural gas and has invested in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The government has also implemented policies to reduce vehicle emissions and adopted the Environmental Air Quality Standards in 2012.
