China's toxic smog - BBC News

BBC News

8 Jan 201702:06

Summary

TLDRShe Charged One is a city in China, alarmingly deemed the most polluted globally in recent times, with toxic smog affecting hundreds of millions. The city, situated less than 300 kilometers from Beijing, exemplifies a widespread issue in northern China, with air quality levels deemed hazardous. Residents face health issues and some consider relocation, but the problem is pervasive. The government, responding to public outcry, vows to tackle the pollution crisis, investing in renewable technology. However, skepticism remains due to the reliance on coal for power and increasing car ownership, which are the primary contributors to the smog.

Takeaways

📍 The city in question is located less than 300 kilometers from Beijing and has been identified as China's most polluted city recently.
🌍 The pollution issue is not limited to this city but affects a large part of northern China, stretching from the Russian border to central cities like Chongqing and Chengdu.
😷 The toxic air has a significant impact on the health and daily lives of hundreds of millions of people living under the pollution cloud.
🌫️ Residents describe the smog as walking in clouds, and common health issues include coughing and respiratory problems.
🏠 Some individuals are considering relocating, with some thinking about moving to the south of China or even abroad due to the pollution.
💔 Financial constraints are a barrier for many who wish to leave the polluted areas but cannot afford to do so.
📉 The average air quality over the past 30 days has been classified as hazardous according to the official scale.
😠 Public anger over the pollution levels is growing, prompting the government to take action.
🌿 The government is investing in renewable technology as part of its commitment to improve air quality.
⚠️ There is skepticism about the effectiveness of the government's efforts due to the deep-rooted causes of pollution.
🔥 The two main contributors to the smog are the heavy reliance on coal for power generation and the increasing number of cars on the road, which are unlikely to change soon.

Q & A

Which city is referred to as being one of the most polluted in the world in the script?
-The script does not specify the name of the city but describes it as being less than three hundred kilometers from Beijing and having been China's most polluted city over the past month.
What is the geographical extent of the pollution cloud mentioned in the script?
-The pollution cloud is described to be hanging over a large part of northern China, stretching from the Russian border in the Far Northeast to central cities like Chongqing and Chengdu, covering a sweep of a few thousand kilometers.
How does the pollution impact the lives of the residents in the affected areas?
-The pollution has a significant impact on the health of residents, causing symptoms like coughing, and it is so severe that it has led some people to consider leaving the area or moving to less polluted regions.
What are the common symptoms experienced by children due to the smog as mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that coughing is a usual symptom experienced by children due to the smog.
What is the average air quality level in the city over the past 30 days according to the official scale?
-The average air quality level in the city over the past 30 days has been registered as hazardous on the official scale.
What is the public sentiment towards the pollution as indicated in the script?
-There is mounting public anger across China due to the severe pollution levels.
What measures is the government taking to address the air pollution issue?
-The government is pledging to clean up the air and is investing heavily in renewable technology.
What are the two main sources of the toxic smog as described in the script?
-The two main sources of the toxic smog are the heavy reliance on coal as the dominant form of power generation and the high and still growing levels of car ownership.
Why might there be skepticism about the government's efforts to clean up the air?
-There may be skepticism because the two main sources of pollution, coal power generation and car ownership, do not seem to be changing anytime soon.
What are some of the potential solutions or considerations mentioned by the residents in the script?
-Some residents are considering leaving the city or moving to the south of China where the air quality might be better, while others express the inability to leave due to financial constraints.
What is the implication of the statement 'the whole city and the whole country is polluted' in the script?
-This statement implies that pollution is not limited to one city but is a widespread issue affecting the entire country, suggesting that solutions may require broader, systemic changes.

Outlines

00:00

😷 Severe Air Pollution in China

The script introduces the city of Shijiazhuang, which has become the most polluted city in China, and one of the most polluted globally, with a pollution cloud affecting a vast area of northern China. The city is located less than 300 kilometers from Beijing, and the average air quality index over the past month has been classified as hazardous. The residents are experiencing the detrimental effects of the toxic air, with children showing symptoms like coughing. Some are considering moving to less polluted areas, but the high cost of relocation is a barrier. The government is responding to public anger by pledging to improve air quality and investing in renewable energy technologies. However, the two main contributors to the smog—dependence on coal for power generation and increasing car ownership—are not expected to change in the near future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pollution

Pollution refers to the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. In the video's context, it is a critical issue affecting the city in question and northern China, with the city being described as the 'most polluted on the planet' over a certain period. The theme of the video revolves around the severe air pollution and its impacts on health and daily life.

💡Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index is a numerical scale used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. In the script, the city's average AQI is described as 'hazardous,' indicating extremely unhealthy air conditions that pose serious health risks, which is central to the video's narrative on the severity of the pollution problem.

💡Smog

Smog is a type of air pollution characterized by a thick fog with high concentrations of atmospheric pollutants. The script uses the phrase 'walking in the clouds' to illustrate the dense smog experienced by the residents, which is a direct result of the pollution and a key visual metaphor for the video's theme.

💡Health Impacts

Health impacts refer to the effects that environmental factors, such as pollution, have on people's well-being. The script mentions that the smog affects children's health, with coughing being a common symptom, highlighting the personal and societal consequences of the pollution issue.

💡Renewable Technology

Renewable technology encompasses various sources of energy that are replenished naturally and sustainably, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The government's pledge to invest in renewable technology is mentioned as a response to public anger over the pollution, indicating a potential solution to the problem.

💡Coal

Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock used primarily for its heat value as a fuel in power generation. The script identifies heavy reliance on coal as a dominant form of power generation as one of the main sources of the toxic smog, illustrating the link between traditional energy sources and environmental pollution.

💡Car Ownership

Car ownership refers to the number of vehicles owned by individuals. The script points out that high and growing levels of car ownership contribute to the smog, indicating the role of transportation in exacerbating air pollution.

💡Northern China

Northern China is a geographical region that includes several provinces in the northern part of the country. The script describes a 'pollution cloud hanging over this country from the Russian border in the Far Northeast all the way down to central cities of Chongqing and Chengdu,' emphasizing the widespread nature of the pollution problem.

💡Public Anger

Public anger in this context refers to the collective frustration and discontent among the populace due to the severe pollution levels. The script mentions 'mounting public anger across China,' which underscores the urgency and social implications of the environmental crisis.

💡Government Pledge

A government pledge is a formal promise made by the authorities to take specific actions. The script refers to the government's commitment to 'clean up the air,' which is a response to the public's demands and a key point in the discussion of potential solutions.

💡Skepticism

Skepticism is a state of doubt or uncertainty regarding a particular claim or promise. The script introduces skepticism as a reaction to the government's pledge, suggesting that there may be doubts about the effectiveness or sincerity of the proposed environmental measures.

Highlights

She Charged One is a city located less than 300 kilometers from Beijing and has been identified as China's most polluted city over the past month.

The city's pollution levels are so severe that it has been deemed the most polluted on the planet by some measures.

The pollution issue is not isolated to She Charged One but affects a large area of northern China.

A pollution cloud extends from the Russian border in the Far Northeast to central cities like Chongqing and Chengdu.

Hundreds of millions of people live under the pollution cloud, facing significant health and lifestyle impacts.

Residents report that smog can be so dense it feels like walking in the clouds.

Health issues such as coughing are common symptoms experienced by the children of She Charged One.

Some people are considering leaving the city due to the severe pollution.

Economic constraints prevent some residents from relocating to less polluted areas.

Pollution is a nationwide issue, not just confined to one city or region.

Over the past 30 days, the average air quality level in She Charged One has been classified as hazardous.

Public anger over the pollution levels is mounting across China.

The government is making pledges to improve air quality and investing in renewable technology.

There is skepticism about the effectiveness and speed of the government's efforts to combat pollution.

The two main contributors to the toxic smog are heavy reliance on coal for power generation and high levels of car ownership.

Neither the reliance on coal nor the high car ownership is expected to change in the near future.