Summary of “Beijing’s Polluted Air Opens China’s Eyes”

Summary of “Beijing’s Polluted Air Opens China’s Eyes”

China has been experiencing significant environmental problems that come with industrialization. In the article “Beijing’s Polluted Air opens China’s Eyes” from “What’s Happening In The World”, author Lawrence Gable describes these problems. Beijing’s factories, automobiles, weather and geography are all factors contributing to its air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI), a tool for measuring air pollution is also explained.

One example of Beijing’s severe smog problem was  in mid-January of 2013. The smog was unbearable for its 20 million residents and lasted for four whole days! However, the most unfavorable day was January 12th. The air quality reading was an astonishing 755, according to the government. This reading exceeded the AQI’s scale, and set a record for the highest reading ever.

There are many causes for Beijing’s pollution. First is the burning of coal. The consumption of electricity has increased due to the growing Chinese economy. Coal-fired power stations produce most of Beijing’s air pollution as well as the burning of coal at home for heat. The second cause is pollution from automobiles. Although authorities have tried to control the number of new cars on the streets, thousands of new cars still go onto the roads everyday. There are over 5 million cars in Beijing! Third, the weather and geography have also contributed to the polluted environment. Because this winter has been colder than average in Beijing, people have been burning more coal and wood than usual. Finally, mountains surround Beijing in a horseshoe shape. As a result of this, pollution gathers together as it blows in from the many factories in neighboring cities.

The article “Beijing’s Polluted Air Opens China’s Eyes” explains the negative effects of Beijing’s air quality. Beijing’s lung cancer rate has increased by 60%  in the last ten years and hospitals have reported higher numbers of patients with respiratory problems. In summary, although China has the world’s fastest-growing major economy, its air quality has suffered greatly as a result of its factories, power plants, and automobiles. The government is slowly taking action, it recognizes that it is time to change their environment.