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Pollution Impacts on China’s Environment
Pollution Impacts on China’s Environment
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Pollution Impacts on China’s Environment
Pollution is one of the major environmental challenges faced by many countries around the world today. According to Liu and Lin (2019), environmental pollution is a process that involves introduction of harmful waste materials which cause extreme changes into the natural environment. The contamination of the natural environment is a considered a major global challenge that disturbs the ecosystem balance affecting individuals’ normal lifestyle by affecting water sources and air used for consumption. The increase in the rate of modernization and development through science and technology is one of the factors responsible for the peak in environmental pollution in countries such as China. As a result, this has led to an increased rate of environmental impacts such as global warming and increased human illnesses among its population.
Considered one of the largest developing nations in the world, China has been able to achieve what is termed as rapid economic growth, averaging a yearly GDP (Gross Domestic product) growth rate of approximately 10% over last two decades. Despite the impressive rate of growth and development over the years, China’s success comes with the cost of environmental deterioration as a result of increased environmental pollution. Shaul and Lower (2015) also indicate that, the extensive air pollution in China’s major cities has been the result of an increased rate of economic development over the past few decades. According to Liu and Lin (2019), many products and activities that make human life needs possible are responsible for increased pollution around the world. Based on this, it is therefore clear that widespread pollution around the world and especially in China is a result of human activities that are carried out to satisfy human need.
In addition to the above, Shaul and Lower (2015) found that some of the causes of widespread environmental pollution in Beijing, China can be as a result of various factors such as the increased number of motorized vehicles, population growth, litter from various manufacturing companies, and most importantly the enormous economic boom. With an increase in the wealth of individuals as a result of enormous economic boom, many people become more cable of owning motor vehicles which contribute to approximately 70 percent of air pollution in China. In addition, the burning of coal among numerous factories that rely on inefficient and outdated technologies in the environs of Beijing is another factor that has contributed to air pollution in China.
In a report by Gardner (2018), it is established that there are a variety of impacts and consequences associated with the environmental pollution in China, for instance, air pollution, which is a major form of environmental pollution in Beijing, China, has resulted to increased level of harmful and dangerous emissions that have led to the cancellation of hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights and frequent closure of roads due to cases of low visibility caused by thick smog which frequently surround the entire city. As a result, this affects the cash inflows that could be used by the Chinese government in environmental development such as the building of an environmentally friendly society. It is important to note that China’s economic progress and development can be in one way or another, the foundation to a friendly environment.
The constant activities that result to environmental pollution in China are also responsible for the increased human illnesses, one of the most worrying effects in China’s population (Dong 2017). Some of the pollutants such as gases released from manufacturing industries causes respiratory problems and various forms of allergies ranging from cancer, coughs, asthma, and emphysema. Inhalation of these harmful toxic agents immediately and slowly affects the lungs and other major organs that form the respiratory system. According to Shaul and Lower (2015) findings, biomass fuel and coal which are known to produce indoor air pollution are still some of the major and widely used stoves in the rural areas of China. The use of these solid fuels however has been associated with adverse human health effects ranging from lung cancer and chronic pulmonary disease. In addition, the use of these solid fuels in a number of Chinese households in China has been proven and identified to be the cause of roughly 420,000 premature deaths yearly.
Being one of the major manufacturing countries in the world, China has become the world’s leading emitter of mercury and greenhouse gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These gases which are emitted by boilers, power plants and industries are issued into the earth atmosphere where they accumulate and react with water forming sulphuric and nitric acid which results into acid rain. In addition, the acid rains also weaken vegetation such as tress causing air pollution which harms humans. Gardner (2018) also indicates that acid rain which is a form soil of pollution also cause extreme damages to the earth surface. Contaminated water from the acid rain seeps into the ground, causing changes to the soil composition directly affecting agriculture in regions such as the North-Eastern regions, Northern China Plans, and the lower regions of Yangtze plain where rice and wheat irrigation is common. Additionally, these effects also changes crop cycles and the composition of food that individuals depend on.
Human activities in China such as agriculture have resulted to the increased levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the environment. In water sources such a rivers and lakes, this overabundance or increase of nutrients can lead to the excessive growth and development of algae and phytoplankton which have devastating effects. According to Dong (2017), the growth of toxic algae-blooms in water bodies produces deadly toxins that kill sea birds, marine mammals, fish, and harm humans. When these algae and other organism are allowed to grow due to excessive use of agricultural nutrients, they usually suck up oxygen during decomposition creating a dead zone where aquatic animals cannot live.
In conclusion, environmental pollution is one of the challenges affecting many countries today including China. Despite having a rapid growing and developing economy, China’s success is coming with a devastating cost of continuing environmental pollution and degradation. With increased emission of gases from manufacturing industries, China has also experienced increased human illnesses such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among its population.
References
Dong, G. H. (Ed.). (2017). Ambient air pollution and health impact in China (Vol. 1017).
Singapore: Springer. emical precursors, and effects. Science of the Total Environment, 575, 1582-1596.
Gardner, D. K. (2018). Environmental pollution in China: what everyone needs to know. Oxford
University Press.
Liu, K., & Lin, B. (2019). Research on influencing factors of environmental pollution in China:
A spatial econometric analysis. Journal of cleaner production, 206, 356-364.
Qin, D., Ding, Y., & Mu, M. (Eds.). (2015). Climate and environmental change in China: 1951–
2012. Springer.
Shaul, T. R., & Lower, B. H. (2015). 4.2 Causes and Consequences of Air Pollution in Beijing,
China. Environmental ScienceBites.
The current crisis in Ukraine
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The current crisis in Ukraine, as a result of Russia declaring war on the country, has presented massive displacement of people from both countries. Citizens of Ukraine have been left with no option other than to seek refuge from neighboring countries such as Poland, as they fear losing their lives in the unjustified war against their nation. Their counterparts from Russia have been indirectly affected by the war in that they fear imprisonment by their government when they engage in protests against Russia’s involvement in the war. Nations across the globe have varying opinions regarding the conflict, with some supporting Russia’s cause to invade Ukraine, claiming that it was justified as the Western countries failed to honor the agreement of not extending NATO to the Soviet nations. However, others are opposed to this cause claiming that it may trigger World War III, as nations supporting each side may be agitated and forced to join the war. Currently, Poland has prepared and put her military on standby mode, and many nations have done so. Although the potential threat of igniting WWIII may be a good reason for the U.S. and NATO to not intervene militarily in Ukraine, they should intervene because the countries involved are now being embroiled in a civil war. The second reason for the need to intervene is to maintain peace within the country and to fight off any potential threats that lead to WWIII. The third reason is to protect the lives of U.S. and NATO troops, who are stationed in Ukraine as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
One of the reasons why the U.S and NATO should intervene by taking their military in Ukraine is because the countries involved are now being embroiled in a civil war. Russia is trying to justify its cause of invading Ukraine. Russian President Putin claims that he has no intention of occupying Ukraine, but this is a warning to the U.S and NATO for breaking the pact made between the Western countries and the Soviet Union that there would be no extension of NATO membership. However, NATO has continued to ignore this pact and recently wooed Ukraine to join its course, completely undermining Russia. Russia made several attempts to have NATO stop its membership, and thus, the conflict with Ukraine can be said to have been triggered by the U.S and NATO, as they promised protection to Ukraine once it joined. Once the U.S and NATO decide to intervene militarily in the Ukraine conflict, there will be a potential threat of igniting WWIII. This is because the Russian government has warned the U.S. not to intervene militarily in Ukraine. The Russian government believes that if the U.S and NATO decide to intervene militarily in Ukraine, this will be a step toward WWIII breaking out. Therefore, the U.S and NATO need to consider several factors to determine whether or not to intervene. However, failing to intervene only poses more challenges, including a civil war between the two countries and even loss of lives of U.S. and NATO troops, thus, indicating the need for intervening. With the civilians in Ukraine being armed and trained for war, there is a high chance that this war will escalate, resulting in more casualties and displacement as they seek peace and safety in their lives. U.S and NATO need to intervene and put this madness to a halt, preventing the war from escalating to a global scale.
Pollution Impact
Pollution Impact
There are many forms of environmental pollution in the modern world. Pollutions have different levels of impacts depending on their quantity. Air pollution causes a myriad of health implications on the general public leading to them incurring medical costs (Friedrich, 2001). On the other hand, various organizations are investing into the technology in a bid to understand possible methods of reducing air pollution. This is an additional cost to the economy of a country. The realization of the impacts of air pollutions leads to individuals seeking to invest in behaviors that reduce the probability of contracting ailments (Friedrich, 2001). In accordance to this, air pollution is causing health implications of people and subsequent cost in monetary units.
Air pollution causes considerable damages to the health of human beings, flora, and fauna. Despite the impacts of these damages, they are externalities, and it is not possible to reflect them on the prices of goods (Friedrich, 2001). It is necessary to consider damages caused by these externalities in the decision making process of the impact caused by emissions to the environment (Bickel, 2003). Willingness to pay approach is a direct way of determining such impacts. The method quantifies the damage caused and its subsequent monetary transformation. There is internalization of the resulting external expenditure through charges, taxes, and there is the application of the same on cost benefits (Bickel, 2003).
Research indicates that most air pollution comes from Vehicle pollution. EPA indicated that the motor industry should manufacture motor cars whose effects should be below the no-effect threshold, but studies indicate that it is difficult to indicate such a threshold (Friedrich, 2001). This has the meaning that road transport remains as the single most pollutant means of transport. The worrying trend is that the number of motorcars is increasing at an exponential rate (Bickel, 2003). In accordance, intervention is necessary to curb the issue.
References
Friedrich, R. (2001). Quantifying the Costs of Air Pollution. Pollution atmospheric (2), 77-104.
Bickel, P. (2003). Environmental External Costs of Transport. Berlin: Springer.