Economic
Development in China has led to its air pollution
Goldin
(2009) pointed out in his TED talk that collapse in biodiversity, climate
change, financial crisis and inequality are some problems caused by
globalisation. Among these, we have witnessed climate change becoming more
evident. Climate changes are directly linked to increase in global greenhouse gases
which are mostly contributed by industries. Air pollution is a serious problem
in China, and it is heavily tied to globalisation. Globalisation involves the movement
of ideas, cultures and people across the world. Since the 1970s, China has been
experiencing rapid expansion and urbanization. This was due to the low cost of
production in China, which works as an incentive for many foreign companies to
set up their factories there. Many job opportunities were given to the Chinese
locals and more knowledge and skills could be acquired from the foreigners,
aiding in China’s economic expansion. Zhang (2012) noted that China’s aim to
improve the gross domestic product (GDP) at any cost has created environmental
problems. In my opinion, air pollution has plagued China ever since its growth
and it is a long-term problem. China has been implementing solutions that could
possibly mitigate the problems. However, it will take a long time and no one
can be sure if this air pollution problem can be improved completely.
The first
solution is to cut down dependence on coal. According to Kristina Chew (2013),
the construction of new coal-fired plants is prohibited and replaced by 18
synthetic natural gas (SNG) plants. This can reduce air pollution since burning
of coal contributes to harmful air particulates. However, this is a short-term
solution. Although switching to SNG plants can help to reduce particulate air
pollution, the process of mining coal and converting it to natural gas can
yield 36 percent to 82 percent more greenhouse gas emissions than burning coal
directly (Kristina Chew, 2013). Shutting down the coal-fired plants is also not
sufficient to mitigate this pollution problem because emission from vehicles,
shipyards and aircrafts also contributes to air pollution in Shanghai
especially after Shanghai became an international transport hub.
A second
solution was implemented by Hanergy, the largest non-state-owned enterprise of
clean energy power generation in China, which focuses on hydropower and solar
power as alternatives (Dinell, n.d.). The ShangHai Tower, upon completion in
2014, will serve to reduce energy usage as wind turbines are built at the top
of the tower and electricity generated will run the exterior light. We can see
that with clean energy power generation, industries have alternative sources to
run the plants instead of using coal. Less coal will be burnt, giving rise to a
cleaner Shanghai. However, there are limitations to this implementation. Other
sources of energy like hydropower and solar power requires much capital to
operate. It also takes a long time to start these operations, which is not
effective to solve the imminent air pollution problem in Shanghai.
In conclusion, globalisation drives
rapid expansion and industrialisation in China, sacrificing the environment at
the same time. However, efforts have been made by China over the years to solve
this issue. They have been targeting the root of the problem by controlling the
greenhouse gases emission from factories. Apart from that, China can also look
out for other sources of greenhouse gases emission, and implement some
regulations to control them. On top of solving the root of the problem, China
can also deal with the health impacts experienced by the people living in the
area. The government can give out free face mask to the citizens and also allow
a regular health check at a lower price. Though it will take a long time, China
can only aim to reduce air pollution. It will be hard to eliminate this problem
entirely as air pollution is happening at a faster rate than their actions to
deal with the problem.
(779
words)
References
Caroline Chen & Simeon Bennett
(2014, March 26). China Smog at Center of
Air Pollution Deaths Cited by WHO. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-25/tainted-air-kills-more-than-aids-diabetes-who-report-shows.html
Cui. L
& Shi.J (2012, October 25). Urbanisation and its environmental effects in
Shanghai, China. Urban Climate 2, 1–15.
Kristina
Chew (2013, November 14). China’s
Solution for Combating Air Pollution? Convert Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas.
Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.enn.com/environmental_policy/article/46681
Santa Barbara
County Air Pollution Control District (n.d.). Air Pollutants and Our Health. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.sbcapcd.org/sbc/pollut.htm
Sarah
Dinell (n.d.). Pollution. Retrieved
March 27, 2014, from http://china2012.bizjournalism.org/?page_id=229
Zhang Jun
Jie (2012, September). Delivering
Environmentally Sustainable Economic Growth: The Case of China. Retrieved
March 27, 2014, from http://a siasociety.org/files/pdf/Delivering_Environmentally_Sustainable_Economic_Growth_Case_China.pdf
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