Inside China's most polluted city

Summary

Beijing residents face severe air pollution, prompting officials to advise limiting outdoor activities. Surchang Wang, the country's most polluted city, has become notorious for its smog and health hazards linked to nearby coal-burning power plants. Despite residents' complaints and efforts to confront plant operators, pollution persists. Innovative programs like Fresh App, which aggregates air quality data from the U.S. Embassy, have raised public awareness, contrasting government statistics that downplay the crisis. With alarming air quality readings exceeding 1,000, the government faces pressure to act, although officials caution that solutions may take decades, likening the situation to London’s historical smog challenges.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Residents in Beijing are advised to limit outdoor activities due to severe air pollution.
• 🌫️ China's rapid economic growth has led to significant environmental consequences, particularly air pollution.
• 🏭 Shijiazhuang, a city south of Beijing, is identified as the most polluted city in China.
• 😷 The air quality has deteriorated to the point where wearing masks is a common sight for residents.
• 🌌 The situation in Shijiazhuang has been described as an 'air-pocalypse' due to extreme pollution levels.
• 💨 A coal-burning power plant adjacent to residential areas is a major contributor to the local pollution crisis.
• 📉 Complaints from residents about pollution have largely gone unheard by local authorities.
• 📱 The Fresh App, created by activists, shares real-time air quality data, raising public awareness about pollution levels.
• 🔍 There is skepticism regarding government-released air quality statistics, which often downplay pollution severity.
• ⚠️ Shijiazhuang recorded air quality readings exceeding 1,000, far above the hazardous threshold of 500.

Q & A

What air quality issue is Beijing currently facing?

Beijing residents have been advised to limit their time outdoors due to severely polluted air quality.

Which city in China is described as the most polluted?

The most polluted city in China mentioned in the script is Shijiazhuang, located almost 200 miles south of Beijing.

How many residents live in Shijiazhuang?

Shijiazhuang has a population of around 10 million residents.

What are the main contributors to air pollution in Shijiazhuang?

The main contributors to air pollution in Shijiazhuang are coal-burning power plants, which are described as the biggest polluters in China.

What term is used to describe the extreme air pollution conditions in Shijiazhuang?

The extreme air pollution conditions have been referred to as the 'airpocalypse.'

What actions have residents taken regarding the pollution from the power plant?

Residents have complained to authorities and shared their concerns online, but their complaints seem to be ignored.

What is the 'Fresh App' and what purpose does it serve?

The Fresh App is a program created to collect and disseminate air quality readings taken by the American Embassy in China, raising awareness about environmental issues.

How do the air quality readings from the US Embassy compare to those released by Chinese authorities?

The US Embassy readings often show worse pollution levels than those reported by Chinese authorities, which typically downplay the severity.

What air quality index is mentioned in the script, and what does a score of 500 indicate?

Air quality is measured on a scale of 0 to 500, with 500 indicating extremely hazardous conditions.

What historical context is provided regarding efforts to tackle air pollution?

Officials noted that it took London 50 years to address its smog problems, suggesting that significant improvements in Chinese cities may also take a long time.