Life Sciences Research On Pollution Issues In China (Research Paper Sample)

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Pollution Issues in China
Introduction
China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world regarding industrialization and largest economy behind the United States of America. The rapid industrialization process has increased the pollution levels in China to an alarming rate. Since 2009, China has been the world’s leader in harmful emitter to the air causing diseases and posing a risk of global warming. The heavy use of coal in the industrial sector combined with the use of fossil fuel in transportation have escalated air pollution in China especially in Beijing city to a dangerous level. Recently in BBC broadcast, China’s major cities were affected by smog to a red alert level resulting in the closure of public schools, factories and banning of capitals vehicles from using major roads. China being the most populous nation in the world, it has problems with congestion, and use of cars have facilitated pollution issues and other consequences of infection. In this essay, the major focus will be to evaluate the pollution issues in China and recommend solutions to solve the problem.
Why should we care about pollution issues in China? Who are the most affected by the problem? According to Kahn et al. (54), research shows that air pollution is the leading cause of many deaths in the country resulting from harmful emission causing cancer, asthma and other respiratory problems. China’s environmental experts predict more than 500, 000 deaths by the year 2020 resulting from air pollution. The reasons behind China’s pollution issues is the urgent need of change and industrialization that have made the country choose money over population. First, China is the leading manufacturer in the world and can afford to produce cheap good through unlimited labor force and availability of black coal. Besides, the Chinese government has not regulated dumping of wastes and factories dispose of their pollutants in lakes and rivers accelerating health issues associated with water, air, and solid waste.
To fix this problem, China has to invest heavily in clean technology and renewable energy. After ignoring issues of pollution for so long, the smog infected China is now taking the issue seriously by shifting their energy source from coal and fossil fuel to clean technology and renewable energy such as solar power, biogas, and wind energy. Since 2011, China has shown great promise in reducing air pollution by expanding wind power to become the largest in the world (Smith 67). The aim of the shift to renewables is to reduce reliance on coal and fossil fuel to big factories such as steel industry that emits high levels of carbon dioxide and ammonia that causes respiratory diseases. Besides, China solar energy has grown to be the leader in the world in generating solar power to supplement factories and other industrial sectors. However, this solution is challenged by the increase in Chinese coal-based industries and transport system that will dwarf the renewable energy sector. Today, china’s clean technology is at 20% compared to the rest of fossil fuel and coal (Solangi 2154). To facilitate a smooth transition from non-renewable energy to renewable, China requires significant leadership and enormous capital to shift from the inflexible coal dominated nation to clean technology such as hydropower and solar energy.
Besides, to curb the dangers of emitting carbon dioxide and other toxic gasses in the air, the Chinese government should impose a hefty tax on industries that pollutes the environment. Unlike most developed nations, China lacks proper regulatory measures that control pollution in the central cities especially Beijing. Imposing Pigouvian taxes will help the country reduce pollution levels as factories will fear emitting pollutants to avoid substantial penalties. Today, many companies that use black coal and fossil fuel can dump wastes in rivers, oceans and deposit solid waste materials in cities that have escalated health issues and causing deaths (Zhao 206). Factories should be responsible for dumping their wastes outside the cities to reduce smog effects and diseases that emanate from poor hygiene and carelessness.
Moreover, solid waste pollution is on the rise in China in the main cities where trash is dumped everywhere increasing unhygienic and spread of diseases. According to Chen (13000), China has a problem in controlling and managing waste efficiently after an increase in industrialization and growth of the economy. Song et al. (100) argue that the massive change in Chinese lifestyles such as the shift of people from rural areas to urban cities have put pressure on waste problems and the local communities failing to manage waste from industries that use coal. Solid waste pollution contributes to the overall health issues brought by pollution in China, and rapid measures need to be put in place. First, China should shut down industries that use traditional sources of energy like coal and fossil fuel and replace it with high efficient electricity and renewable energy. Most citizens in China are sick and combining with a large number of people; solid waste could lead to airborne disease and other health consequences.
Another solution to pollution issues in China is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road that is un-roadworthy, emits harmful gasses and upgrade to vehicles that use electricity or other clean technology. The increase in Chinese population increases demands on motor vehicles and industries that emit carbon dioxide into the air. By removing many cars in the road especially in the major cities will reduce air pollution by half and prevent recent cases such as poisonous smog blanketing the city. Besides, introducing the smog tax will help in reducing smog in the town since both residential and commercial buildings will pay an inner green belt to ensure cities are clean of air pollution and solid waste materials. Reducing personal cars and allowing only public vehicles will reduce congestion in the towns and curb the smog effect in the main cities such as Beijing and Shanghai (Van Rooij 60). In addition, the Chinese government should invest in cars that produce less carbon dioxide by fixing exhaust emission and giving subsidies to the car manufacturer to make more cleaner and good cars. This measure will solve many of china’s pollution issues and spearhead the economy further.
The red alert in Chinese cities represents real progress by the government to recognize the effects of pollution and formulating solutions to curb the problem. The recent smog in many cities was the highest in the country resulting closure of public schools and shutdown of big factories operations. The red alert led to many citizens demanding clean air and setting an example for other cities to follow suit in reducing air pollution in the country (Zhang 1117). After the smog, Chinese government formulated plans to cut down coal uses in the primary sectors such as industrialization and give firms incentives to shift to clean technology and renewable energy (Chen 45). The main challenges of fighting pollution in China is the recent economic slowdown that affects the progress of shifting to renewable technologies and ensuring unemployment rate does not increase. Pollution issues in China combined with India put the world in dangers of global warming and chronic diseases such as cancer and asthma.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pollution issues in China range from air pollution, solid waste contamination, and water pollution. Coal use is the single largest cause of pollution in China since many industries and transportation sector rely heavily on black coal and fossil fuel as a source of energy. Citizens are the victims of air pollution in China since it increases chances of respiratory diseases and chronic illness such as cancer and asthma. To reduce this problem, China requires investing in clean technology and renewable energy such as solar power, hydropower, and biogas to replace coal and fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide causing poisonous smog in the metropolitan area. In addition, introducing pollution taxes and government regulation will reduce contamination of water and dumping of solid waste by factories recklessly. Companies should be responsible for the environment and people by preserving the environment and aiding in reducing the life-threatening air pollution in China. Moreover, minimizing cars in the transport sector and upgrading vehicles to use clean technology and renewable energy will aid in preventing smog and other pollution ...