Air polution in China - sign of future? Solution?

[Genesis]

Just wondering what the general thoughts are on air polution. We seem to have been taking things very much for granted, and wonder how long it took before the Chinese in Beijing and Shanghai got into the dreadful air polution scenario they're in right now. How long will it take for the rest of the world to catch up? Who on earth would want to live in air like that, and what do you think could be a solution for that?

Exercising in air like this .... can't be healthy?

 

[Justin]

this bothers me too. problem is that the answer lies with governments, and when politics are involved it is difficult to get to some solutions. the world has been trying and not getting anywhere with this.

 

[Pauline]

I'm seriously worried it will catch up with the Philippines as well. Air pollution seems to be very poorly understood and not enough is done to prevent it. I agree. Whenever politics and politicians are involved, it will be a problem to find a good solution.

 

[Pauline]

Today reminded me of this thread. There was so much smog in Manilla. Pollution is becoming a problem every where in the world.

 

[Peter]

I wouldn't want to live in a place like that and I don't think anyone should have to. Is it all smog or are some of what you see in that picture fog?

I think the underlying problem is overpopulation and urbanisation, and lack of will to do anything about it. If they really want to have cities of this size they should probably try to make the transportation system more efficient. Maybe ban all cars and only have trains, trams and other vehicles that can be powered by electricity. By using electricity you can put the polluting power stations far away from the city. I know there are electric cars but I think the batteries makes them less efficient, and you would still get a lot of unhealthy particles in the air from all the tires.

 

[GigaGreg]

This is so horrible, I feel sorry for China, they should do something about it, but their country is so big that they might not care about people living there, so they might do nothing and wait for it go away I don't know.

 

[Genesis]

Well, they seem to be doing a good job at migrating to the rest of the world. Seems to be the logical thing to do.

 

[Lycos]

Must say it is quite scary as one can't help but wonder when this is going to catch up with the rest of the world. Every where in the world there are more and more cars and industry every day, so it is logical that if we don't watch out that very soon we may have the China pollution situation every where else as well.