Jonathan Wilhoite Blog: China Smog Offenders: Pollution Rates Cause Concern

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

China Smog Offenders: Pollution Rates Cause Concern

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It appears that China has strictly implemented rules when it comes to violating anti-pollution regulations. The government has received millions of dollars worth of fines from offenders, according to state media. The anti-pollution campaign was initiated because of the dangerous, thick smog enveloping the country. 24 cities have released the first “red alerts” for pollution of 2017 last Tuesday, according to Xinhua.

Red alerts are considered as the critical and highest of the four-tiered warning system for pollution. This has taken effect in mainland China in order to restrict smog. This means vehicles that contribute to high pollution are banned from roads when red alerts are issued.

China Gets Tough On Smog Offenders

China has slapped millions of dollars worth of fines on alleged offenders for violating anti-pollution rules, according to state media. The move comes as large swaths of the country are blanketed in dangerous, thick smog. Read more…

The government has started this campaign against pollution and climate change for the past few years. This involved limiting the coal production as well as signing the Paris climate change accords. The government has given attention to the problem by establishing temporary measures that tackle “airpocalypse.” They are strictly policing them by tracking violators and inefficient enforcers.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has taken action against 500 Chinese companies and 10,000 car-owners for not following the rules. Around 2,682 officials were held responsible for failing to uphold anti-pollution efforts. A total of $35 million fines had been issued.

Offenders Get Fined

China has also “held accountable” 2,682 officials for failing to enforce pollution efforts, Xinhua reported. About $35 million worth of fines had been levied, it said. Read more…

The winter season proves to be the most polluted period. This is because they need to burn more coal for heaters. The cold air inversions worsen the situation because it has the tendency to trap the smog lower to the surface.

The heavy smog began in the middle of December, covering an area the size of the United States.

The situation worsened on New Year’s Day. It was reported that the smog in Beijing exceeded the maximum level of 500 on the Air Quality Index. This is according to the US Embassy in Beijing. The levels finally dropped from “Hazardous” to “Very Unhealthy,” last Tuesday according to the Embassy’s quality guide.

Parts Of Country Blanketed In Smog

Winter is typically the most polluted season in China, as the country burns more coal to power heaters. And cold air inversions during the winter can also trap the smog lower to the surface. Read more…

Hopefully, the government may find more effective ways to improve the environmental condition in their cities. It’s really concerning, considering that the younger and older people are most affected.

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