China's Environment Getting Worse... Before It Gets Better?
by Rachel Wasser, Beijing, China on 05.28.07
Bad news from China last week. According to the State Environmental Protection Administration's (SEPA) first quarter report, pollution is worsening in many parts of the country. After checking out this post, you probably won't be surprised to hear that the situation in rivers is deteriorating. Drinking water quality is also declining in major Chinese cities, with just under 70 percent rated as "qualified" for consumption. Air quality was on the upswing in some locales - partially due to fickle spring breezes - but Pan Yue, SEPA's deputy director and one of our favorite government officials, warned that "[t]he improved air quality in some cities is absolutely no reason for complacency." At least the government isn't trying to put a good face on this worsening situation.
In addition to Pan Yue's admonishments, SEPA vice minister Wang Xiaoqing seized the opportunity of international Biodiversity Day to call for biodiversity to be "regarded as a key performance indicator." That's looking a lot more likely than his other desire. "We should firmly forbid those projects which damage the environment or cause pollution in the construction process," he said. This treehugger won't hold her breath for that one, though she might try as spring's cleaning breezes desert Beijing till next year. ::Reuters and ::Xinhua News Agency
It was bad enough living in LA when the heat inversion layer played havoc but China's situation seems permanent, at least for now. They have year around heat inversion effects when it comes to air pollution and seem to have some sort of death wish when it comes to their water system.
Westernization of China has brought with it serious environmental problems which seem to be getting worse day by day. Industrial growth, yes, but at what cost.
It is a crazy situation that seems to be out of control. The government apparently is giving free lease to manufacturing without supporting the necessary safeguards that are needed so that China does not commit ecological suicide. A nation cannot be a proud and free country if its air cannot be breathed without harm and its water cannot be consumed without the most dire of consequences.
Efforts must be made by the Chinese government to address water and air quality immediately and with the greatest priority.
One might easily see that if China starts building nuclear reactors at the rate being planned, there will be even more serious problems. If they are throwing untreated sewage and chemicals from the manufacturing process into their rivers, what do you suppose they will do with nuclear wastes?
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