The Devastating Effects of Pollution in China (Part 1/2)

VICE

13 Dec 201213:57

Summary

TLDRThe video script documents a journey to Linfen, China, dubbed the 'dirtiest place on the planet', with pollution levels equivalent to smoking three packs of cigarettes a day. Linfen, once known for its fruits and flowers, has become a symbol of China's unbalanced economic growth, now a hub for coal mining and factories releasing toxic chemicals. The script explores the city's environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, and the impact on the local population, all while reflecting on the broader implications of China's rapid industrialization.

Takeaways

🎥 The script features David Feinberg, a cameraman sent by VBS to film in Linfen, China, which is considered one of the most polluted places on Earth.
🚭 Breathing the air in Linfen for a day is said to be equivalent to smoking three packs of cigarettes, highlighting the severity of the air quality.
🏙️ Linfen is a city in Shanxi Province with a landscape dominated by factories that contribute to the toxic smog and pollution.
🌍 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in China, indicating a widespread environmental issue.
🌳 The economic growth of China has led to an increase in environmental problems, with a focus on energy consumption and an unbalanced development model.
🌁 Linfen's permanent toxic smog has a significant impact on the health and daily life of its 4 million residents.
🚚 The city's reliance on coal trucks for energy contributes to the pollution, with trucks constantly moving between Linfen and other cities.
🏫 Despite Linfen's reputation as the most polluted place on Earth, life continues with schools and construction projects ongoing.
😷 Contrary to expectations, the locals in Linfen do not commonly wear masks, and Feinberg also chooses not to wear one to avoid standing out.
🌾 Linfen was once known as the 'fruit and flower town' of Shanxi Province, but has since transformed into a major coal mining area.
💧 Water pollution in China is also a critical issue, with over half of the rivers and a significant portion of lakes and urban groundwater polluted, often due to industrial waste and agricultural pesticides.

Q & A

Who is David Feinberg and what was his mission in China?
-David Feinberg is a cameraman sent by VBS to China to film the environmental conditions in Linfen, which is considered one of the most polluted cities on the planet.
What is the comparison made between breathing in Linfen's air and smoking cigarettes?
-Spending a day in Linfen and breathing in the air is said to be equivalent to smoking three packs of cigarettes, highlighting the severe air pollution in the city.
How many of the world's most polluted cities are located in China according to the script?
-The script mentions that 16 out of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in China.
What is the primary source of energy in Linfen and what are its environmental impacts?
-Linfen primarily relies on coal for energy production, which results in the emission of toxic chemicals, poisoning the land and water, and creating a permanent toxic smog.
What is the significance of Linfen's location in Shanxi Province?
-Linfen's location in Shanxi Province is significant because the region is a major coal producer, and the city serves as a hub for coal transportation to other parts of China.
How does the script describe the economic growth of China in relation to environmental issues?
-The script suggests that China's economic growth is fundamentally linked to environmental degradation, with the more rapid the economic development, the worse the environmental situation becomes.
What is the World Bank's designation for Linfen and why?
-The World Bank has called Linfen the most polluted place on Earth due to its severe air and water pollution caused by industrial activities.
How does the script depict the daily life of people in Linfen despite the pollution?
-The script shows that life in Linfen seems relatively normal, with people going about their daily routines, including children leaving school amidst the pollution.
What precautions did David Feinberg initially consider taking against the pollution in Linfen?
-David Feinberg initially planned to wear painters masks and was advised by his mother to wear a mask at all times to protect himself from the pollution.
What was the surprising observation about the use of masks by the locals in Linfen?
-Contrary to his expectations, David Feinberg found that nobody in Linfen wore masks, which led him and his team to leave their masks behind to avoid standing out.
What historical perspective does the script provide about Linfen's transformation?
-The script contrasts Linfen's past as the 'fruit and flower town' of Shanxi Province with its current state as a major coal mining area, highlighting a transformation that occurred within the span of a generation.
How does the script address the issue of water pollution in China?
-The script discusses the severity of water pollution in China, with over half of the rivers, a third of the lakes, and 80-90% of urban groundwater being polluted, primarily due to industrial waste and agricultural pesticides.
What is the connection between water pollution and the emergence of 'cancer villages' in China?
-The script explains that many 'cancer villages' are a result of water pollution, as people in these villages rely on polluted rivers for their water sources, leading to higher cancer rates.
What is David Feinberg's personal reflection on the food he ate in Linfen?
-David Feinberg reflects that although the food in Linfen might have been contaminated with toxins, it was at least grown in the ground, implying a preference for naturally grown food over potentially harmful processed alternatives.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Environmental Impact of Industrialization in Linfen, China

The first paragraph introduces David Feinberg, the cameraman sent by VBS to document the environmental conditions in Linfen, China, known as one of the most polluted cities globally. Linfen's air pollution is likened to smoking three packs of cigarettes a day. The city's landscape is dominated by factories emitting toxic chemicals, contributing to land and water poisoning. The city's reliance on coal transportation further exacerbates the pollution issue. Experts discuss the link between China's economic growth and environmental degradation, highlighting the unbalanced development and the city's notoriety as the most polluted place on Earth.

05:07

🏫 Life Amidst Pollution: Observations from Linfen's Elementary School

In the second paragraph, the narrative shifts to the daily life of Linfen's residents, particularly school children who are seemingly unfazed by the pollution. The paragraph describes an encounter at an elementary school where children are exposed to what appears to be a large fire, indicative of the regularity of such sights. It also touches on broader environmental issues in China, such as the prevalence of air pollution due to coal burning and construction activities. The speaker reflects on the cultural contrast of wearing masks in China and the decision to blend in by not wearing one.

10:08

🌳 Transition from 'Fruit and Flower Town' to a Coal Mine Hub

The third paragraph delves into Linfen's transformation from a picturesque 'fruit and flower town' to a major coal mining area within the span of 20 years. It discusses the severe water pollution affecting over half of China's rivers, a third of its lakes, and the majority of urban groundwater, primarily due to industrial and agricultural pollutants. The paragraph also connects water pollution to the emergence of 'cancer villages' and reflects on the irony of consuming potentially toxic food in Linfen, which is still considered healthier than some lab-grown alternatives in the West.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pollution

Pollution refers to the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. In the video, pollution is a central theme, with Linfen being described as the 'dirtiest place on the planet.' The city's air quality is compared to smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, illustrating the severe health risks associated with the toxic smog that permanently hovers over the city.

💡Linfen

Linfen is a city in Shanxi Province, China, known for its extreme pollution levels. The video discusses how Linfen's transformation into a major coal mining area has led to its current state, with factories releasing toxic chemicals into the air and water, contributing to the city's poor environmental conditions.

💡Energy Production

Energy production is the process of generating power from various sources. The video highlights Linfen's role in China's energy production, with an 'endless landscape of factories' contributing to the city's pollution. The need for energy by a nation with over a billion people is emphasized, showing the scale of industrial activity in the region.

💡Economic Development

Economic development refers to the process of improving a nation's economic well-being through increased production and consumption. The video contrasts Linfen's economic growth with the environmental degradation it has caused, illustrating the unbalanced nature of China's development and the negative consequences of prioritizing economic growth over environmental sustainability.

💡Environmental Challenges

Environmental challenges are issues that affect the natural environment and the well-being of ecosystems. The video discusses the combined impacts of climate change and local pollution in China, emphasizing the severity of the situation and the need for addressing these challenges to ensure a sustainable future.

💡Air Quality

Air quality is a measure of the condition of the air in terms of the presence of pollutants. The video mentions that 70% of Chinese cities cannot meet their air quality standards, primarily due to the burning of coal and increasing transportation and construction activities, which are major contributors to air pollution.

💡Toxic Smog

Toxic smog is a type of air pollution consisting of a mixture of toxic gases and particulate matter. In the video, Linfen is described as having a 'permanent toxic smog' that hangs over the city, symbolizing the extreme air pollution levels and the daily exposure of its residents to harmful pollutants.

💡Coal Mining

Coal mining is the process of extracting coal from the ground. The video discusses the transformation of Linfen from a 'fruit and flower town' to a major coal mining area, which has significantly contributed to the city's environmental problems and its reputation as one of the most polluted places on Earth.

💡Water Pollution

Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances. The video highlights the severity of water pollution in China, with over half of the rivers and a significant percentage of lakes and urban groundwater being polluted, primarily due to industrial processes and agricultural pesticides.

💡Cancer Villages

Cancer villages are communities with unusually high rates of cancer, often linked to environmental pollution. The video connects the high incidence of cancer in certain villages to water pollution, as residents rely on contaminated rivers for their water supply, leading to increased health risks.

💡Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people or goods from one place to another. The video mentions the role of transportation in contributing to air pollution, particularly through the constant traffic of coal trucks in Linfen, which not only transport the polluting fuel but also emit pollutants during their operation.

Highlights

David Feinberg was sent to Linfen, China, by VBS to film the city considered the dirtiest on the planet.

Breathing in Linfen's air for a day is equivalent to smoking three packs of cigarettes.

16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are located in China.

Linfen's economic growth is linked to severe environmental degradation.

The city is surrounded by factories emitting toxic chemicals, causing land and water poisoning.

Linfen is situated in Shanxi Province and is a major hub for coal transportation.

The World Bank labeled Linfen as the most polluted place on Earth.

Despite the pollution, life in Linfen appears relatively normal with traffic and construction.

Local media in China has acknowledged the environmental disaster in Linfen.

Feinberg noticed the absence of mask-wearing among locals despite the severe pollution.

70% of Chinese cities fail to meet air quality standards, primarily due to coal burning.

Transport and construction also contribute significantly to air pollution in China.

Linfen was once known as the fruit and flower town of Shanxi, but has since become a coal mine.

Over half of China's rivers and a significant portion of lakes and urban groundwater are polluted.

Pollution from factories and pesticides in agriculture are major contributors to water pollution.

Many 'cancer villages' in China are a result of severe water pollution.

Despite the pollution, Feinberg found the local food in Linfen to be surprisingly good.