The Water Pollution of the Yellow River - Essay Example

Lecturer Pollution of the Yellow River INTRODUCTION Known for its waterways, nothing captures the soul of a country more intensely than the Yellow in China. This river is to China what river Nile is to Egypt. The river is also referred as the cradle of civilization (Wang et. al.167). Moreover, it is an indication of enduring glory and a force of nature both revered and feared. From its mysterious source around 14,000-foot from Tibetan, the river runs across the northern plains where Chinas original inhabitants learned to dig and irrigate, to make gunpowder and build and bury imperial dynasties (White and Matthew, 47). Currently, the Mother River is slowly dying. Stained with pollution, crowded with ill-conceived dams, tainted with sewage, it diminishes at its mouth to a lifeless trickle. There were many occasions during the 1990s that the river didn’t reach the sea at all (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 282). It is no hallucination. The huge oasis in Ningxia, near the Yellow Rivers which runs 3,400-mile from the Plateau of Tibet has survived for close to 2,000 years, since the Qin emperor posted an army of peasant engineers to grow crops and build canal for soldiers protecting the Great Wall (Wang et. al.177). Many residents are trying to carry on that tradition today. Lured here almost three decades ago by the limitless supply of water, farmers near the river banks cultivate cornfields along the Great Wall next to the Yellow River (Selden, Mark and So, 152). From the irrigation canal, many residents appreciated the green expanse and loved the rivers power and always believed it was the most beautiful residence under the sun (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 282). However, this earthly bliss is fading fast. The proliferation of industries, factories, cities, and farms which are considered goods of Chinas magnificent economic boom is affecting the Yellow River by making it dry (Wang et. al.168). All the water that is remaining is being polluted and poisoned by these disposals. From the canal bank another surreal flash of blood-red toxic chemical waste streaming from a pipe are considered the greatest pollutants of the Yellow River. These drainage makes the water turn garish purple (White and Matthew, 47). The canal drains into the Yellow River that was inhabited by turtles and fishes (Selden, Mark and So, 154). Currently, the water is toxic to be used for irrigation purposes. In addition, goats and livestock die within hours of drinking from the canal (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 283). The hazardous pollution comes from chemical and pharmaceutical factories next to Shens fields, in Shizuishan which is currently considered one of the most polluted cities globally (Wang et. al.172). Residents of these places have consistently petitioned the environmental bureau to supervise unregulated dumping. However, the officials in charge of enforcement have relented by turning the property uninhabitable (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 283). Global warming is increasing the retreat of Chinas major rivers including the Yellow River. Moreover, it is hastening the progress of deserts that swallow up millions of acres of land every year (Zhang et al, 749). Currently, water is regarded as a precious resource in China, a nation with the equal amount of water as America, but five times populated (Selden, Mark and So, 168). The shortage is particularly severe in the arid north, where half of Chinas population resides which has 15% of its water. These occurrences have made China vulnerable, and series of man-made acts are pushing it to the edge (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 284). Nothing, nonetheless, has prompted the water crisis than the breakneck industrial growth. Chinas economic boom is in a brutal symmetry which has fueled contradictory environmental disintegration (Wang et. al.175). In its battle to be the worlds next greatest nation, China is draining its aquifers and rivers with abandon and polluting whats left irrevocably that the World Bank warned of catastrophic effects for upcoming generation (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 284). The rapid spread of deserts is forming a dust bowl that can dwarf that of the western United States early 1930s, pushing down grain production and millions of environmental refugees from their lands (Wang et. al.174). The toxins choking the waters are impacting the Mother River a lot. Close to 50% of the Yellow River which is regarded as biologically dead. These actions have led to increasing in birth defects, cases of cancer and waterborne disease in the banks (Wang et. al.174). Pollution related demonstrations have increased from 51,000 in 2005 and could turn into social unrest. These issues could thwart Chinas growth and affects international markets. The long-term effect could be more shocking (White and Matthew, 47). Likewise shortage of clean water affects the survival of the China as a whole (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 285). Chinas water crisis generated where the nations three famous rivers the Yellow, the Mekong and the Yangtze originate (Wang et. al.172). The vast underground springs of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau always known as Chinas water tower is significant for the supply of almost 50% of the Yellow Rivers volume. However, the hot and dry climate is changing the fragile ecosystem into shock (Selden, Mark and So, 160). Temperatures in the region are increasing tremendously. This is according to the China weather bureau and it is projected to rise from three to five degrees Celsius at the end of the century. Currently, a total of 3,000 of the 4,077 lakes in Madoi County have vanished, and high desert dunes lap menacingly at the remaining lakes (White and Matthew, 47). Meanwhile, the glaciers are shrinking at a rate of 7% every year. Melting ice adds water to the Yellow River in the short term that is harmless, but scientists believed the long-term effects could be deadly to the Yellow River (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 284). To save the Yellow great river, Beijing is undertaking sorts of technological rain effects, with the most determined cloud-seeding plan in the world (White and Matthew, 47). In summer months, planes and artillery barrage the clouds over the Yellow Rivers font area with silver iodide crystals which collects moisture and become heavy and turns to rain (Wang et. al.167). In Madoi, for example, the meteorologists monitoring the weather station emphasize that project is escalating rainfall and aiding in refill the Yellow Rivers source. However, locals think that the rockets, by annoying the gods are impacting the drought (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 284). An environmental group known as Green Camel Bell, in the city of Lanzhou the group is monitoring the mill believed to be dumping toxic chemical waste into a stream of the Yellow River which pollutes it. In addition, hundreds of these factories and industries around Lanzhou are monitored as well (Zhang et al, 751). In 2006, for instance, three industrial spills from this area made the Yellow River turn red while others turned it white (Selden, Mark and So, 164). The environmental group is using the GPS data to email to Beijing which is uploaded to a Web-based pollution map that is observed globally. It helps fight this pollution menace (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 285). The Yellow River is known for its immense discharge of human waste and industrial wastes. But even the fruits of environmental activism are the existing chance for the river Yellow rehabilitation (Zhang et al, 753). In 1990s, few environmental groups and organizations existed in China. Currently, there are several environmental activism groups including Green Camel Bell that assist in cleaning up the city and protecting Yellow River. Finally, Beijing is willing to fight the menace (White and Matthew, 47). After three decades of hunting growth, the national government is grappling with the natural and environmental costs. The effect is not only monetary, although the World Bank estimates that environmental damage deprives China of 5.8% of its GDP every year. Moreover, it is considered social evil. For instance, Irate society previous year swamped the federal government with official environmental grievances (White and Matthew, 47). Whether to save this environment issue and stave off social disorder, Beijing has implemented striving goals, intending to make 30% reduction in water utilization and a 10% reduction in pollution emission by the end of the year (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 286). Regardless of these intentions, the disaster is getting worse, dazzling Beijings loss of control in the nation growth-hungry zones. Environmental lawyers calculate that 10% of environmental laws and regulations are being enforced to ensure the fight of this catastrophe continues (White and Matthew, 47). Beijing has cautiously clinched to grassroots activists and the media to aid pressure these local industries (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 286). The rivers outflow has been at 10% since it was 40 years ago. Agriculture has consumed more than 65% with a half of that lost through leaking ditches and pipes. Heavy industry and cities are swallowing the remaining water. Nevertheless, the pace at which China is spoiling its resources is questionable. Sensible releases of reservoir water are considered the greatest solution to the water problem that has been in existence since the Yellow River became completely dry (White and Matthew, 47). Such frenzied growth may soon fall victim to the very water crisis it has helped create. Of the 660 cities, more than 400 cities lacked sufficient water while others suffered severe shortages. This inadequate water is hampering Chinas grain production creating concerns on future shocks to grain international markets, where an increase in prices affects the poor (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 286). Chinese communities including the emperors are obsessed with calming the Yellow River, the life-giving water that its changes have unleashed destructive floods and polluted water affecting the general community. In addition, construction of massive dams on the Yellow River, the middle section has led 400,000 people losing their homes and becoming homeless. These activities have created misery for the community because many of them lost their homes during the dams’ construction process (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 287). Sanmenxia Dam is responsible for the danger and consequences of the Yellow River. The dam has controlled the Yellow River by changing it into countrys biggest irrigation channel (White and Matthew, 47). However, the effect upriver is disastrous, because of a stunning lack of insight. For instance, Engineers have failed to explain the colossal yellowish silt of the Yellow River (Selden, Mark and So, 160). Through mismanagement of the silt, Sanmenxia dam has resulted in many floods than it has prevented, ruined many lives and constrained the construction of other huge dams to correct its mistakes (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 285). The more than 4 billion tons units of wastewater discharged every year into the Yellow River, accounts for a 10% of the rivers volume (Selden, Mark and So, 161). It has caused extinction of a third of the Yellow rivers inhabitant fish species and caused long stretches unfit for irrigation services. In 2007 for instance, Chinas Ministry of Health reports blamed water and air pollution for a shocking rise in cancer rates in China since 2005 with 19% in urban areas and 23% in the local community (White and Matthew, 47). China rural population that accounts for almost 500 million people consumes water contaminated by industrial and human waste at a particular time. It, therefore, accounts for the rising cases of gastrointestinal cancer in the countryside (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 284). The pollution of the Yellow River has led to the outbreak of diseases such as cold, cancer and fears as a result of floods. Several cases of cancer are reported on the banks of the Yellow River (Selden, Mark and So, 162). It is believed that the epidemic rises from drinking the poisoned river by the locals (White and Matthew, 47). Many victims suffer in silence as they hide their symptoms in their houses. It affects their savings as they spent many of their finances on medical bills (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 285). The Yellow River can be rescued. China government and leaders understand the peril their state is facing and is building ecological civilization investing almost 200 billion dollars every year for environmental management (Selden, Mark and So, 163). However, the prospect depends evenly on ordinary citizens and the community (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 288). The end of this legendary Yellow River is a tragedy whose effects extend far beyond the more than 150 million citizens it sustains (Zhang et al, 754). The Yellows dilemma also elucidates the dark side of the Chinese economic phenomenon, an environmental crisis that has escalated into to a shortage of the resource no country can live without (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 286). The water pollution is getting bad as days passes by. According to Yellow River Water Resources newly released data currently with over 66 percent of this water is dirty and undrinkable (Zhang et al, 750). The Yellow River has played a crucial role in the growth and success of Chinese civilization for many years (White and Matthew, 47). Currently, the Yellow and the citizens who depend on it face harsh challenges. The stress of inadequate water resources, flooding, and pollution, pose major risks to societies and enterprises that depend on the river for operation. As these issues grow gradually, China’s water management board and users face the frightening dispute of implementing programs and policies that balance ecology, economy, and the society (Zhang et al, 749). The Yellow River annual meeting in September, water specialists from government agencies, research institutes, Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sectors gather to discuss issues facing the Yellow and possible resolutions for improved water management (Selden, Mark and So, 168). Sentiments such as government and business to collaborations are critical in ensuring successful management of the Yellow River (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 287). The Green Camel Bell as ensured a cordial connection with local authorities to ensure the menace is handled in a proper way (White and Matthew, 47).. In addition, the government has been striving to stop industries and factories from dumping toxic waste that have the impact of polluting the Yellow River. These factories discharge plastic bottles ranging in colors are released by factories which pollute these waters (Zhang et al, 752). With modest resources and finances, Green Camel Bell has succeeded in mobilizing volunteers to assist in surveying the ecology of the Yellow River (Selden, Mark and So, 162). Critically they have succeeded in publicly exposing the egregious polluters of the Yellow River (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 287). The government and its agencieshas played critical role in fighting this menace. For instance, the Yellow River of economic development and the growing level stress motivated the WRI’s Aqueduct team to prefer it as the prototype for the Aqueduct Water Risk Mapping strategy (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 288). The government is handling the pressure and the complex challenge of managing the water resource by setting goals and adoption of strategies that are critical to the management of these waters (White and Matthew, 47). These red lines include control and management of excessive usage of water resources utilization and development (Lary and Diana, 150). In addition, the government is ensuring improvement in the efficiency in the usage of water such as setting new standards to ensure and guarantee most economic values is obtained from the agricultural activities and the usage of water (White and Matthew, 47). Moreover, the government is setting policies to ensure controlling pollutants that are discharged in water zones. Therefore, the government is setting new regulations that will limit the volume of pollutants discharged into the lakes and rivers (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 289). Major changes are required to support and ensure the enforcement of the Chinese government strategies to meet the policies (Selden, Mark and So, 170). Factors such as a reinforced legal system, enhanced water use supervision, and monitoring, and adequate data are all crucial to ensuring the government achieves the nation’s water security goals (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 289). The business community is also involved in the management of the Yellow River as well. Yellow River Forum has been supported by companies where water resource and water risk management is emerging as a crucial concern (White and Matthew, 47). In the Forum topic and studies on the ways for the improvement of water management are raised consistently to ensure that all the possible solutions on the Yellow River pollutions are mitigated (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 287). The business community is utilizing various innovative ideas to ensure efficient management of the Yellow River. Among the innovative ideas include integrated Chishui River Basin Management where Chinese beverage companies such as Languji and Moutai are involved in the management of this water as it is the main primary water source (White and Matthew, 47). Moreover, the Environmental Protection Bureau is partnering with World Wildlife Fund in sponsoring this Integrated Chishui River Basin Management undertake its roles. The initiative has engaged relevant stakeholders from the private and the government sectors to be involved in the protection of Chishui River (Selden, Mark and So, 152). For instance, the Moutai group has established a Green Fund that has invested several billions to construct water waste treatment systems to fight the pollution in the Chishui River Basin (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 288). In addition, the business communities are using the Pollutant Opportunities Analysis Tool to estimate the total pollution affecting Yellow River. It is because the Yellow River is suffering severe water pollution (Selden, Mark and So, 152). WRI and partners for instance ADM Capital Foundation and Tsinghua University have developed analytical tools called the Pollutant Reduction Opportunities Analysis (PROA) to assist accomplish strict water pollutant discharge levels (Zhang et al, 748). PROA is a plan to assist Chinese decision-makers chooses the most cost-efficient alternatives for reducing nitrogen, ammonia and other pollutants into the Yellow River (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 289). The Chinese businesses and government agencies have taken hopeful steps towards changing the Yellow River. Governments, communities and companies around the Yellow River basin and surrounding environs threatened basins globally have a common need for reliable data (Zhang et al, 748). China’s government is sourcing for data to estimate the total usage and where the water is taken in order to achieve the projected goal of meeting water security (Lary and Diana, 150).. To validate investments in smarter water management policies, businesses and companies need more vigorous information and data about how water risks can affect their operations and the benefits of involvement (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 289). Addressing this terrific appetite for efficient water data is the main objective of WRI’s Aqueduct project on mapping and measuring water risk. Aqueduct has consistently released versions of its water risk mapping tool, which brings together the reliable data on water risk internationally (Selden, Mark and So, 148). By offering accessible data of water risk globally, Aqueduct has succeeded in empowering companies government to make informed water management choices on the Yellow River (Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin, 289). Reference Wang, Xuejun, and Edwin D. Ongley. "Transjurisdictional Water Pollution Disputes and Measures of Resolution: Examples from the Yellow River Basin, China." Water International: 282-89. Print. Zhang, Yuzhu, et al. "OSL Dating Of The Massive Landslide-Damming Event In The Jishixia Gorge, On The Upper Yellow River, NE Tibetan Plateau." Holocene 25.5 (2015): 745-757. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. Wang, Fei, et al. "Co-Evolution Of Soil And Water Conservation Policy And Human–Environment Linkages In The Yellow River Basin Since 1949." Science Of The Total Environment 508.(2015): 166-177. Academic Search Complete. Wecb. 30 Apr. 2015. Zheng, Shan, et al. "Case Study Of Variation Of Sedimentation In The Yellow And Wei Rivers." Journal Of Hydraulic Engineering 141.3 (2015): 1. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Apr. 2015. White, Matthew (2012). The Great Big Book of Horrible Things. W. W. Norton. p. 47. ISBN 9780393081923. New York Times "A Troubled River Mirrors Chinas Path to Modernity". 19 November 2006 p. 4. Lary, Diana. "The Waters Covered the Earth: Chinas War-Induced Natural Disaster". Op. cit. in Selden, Mark & So, Alvin Y., eds. War and State Terrorism: The United States, Japan, and the Asia-Pacific in the Long Twentieth Century, pp. 143–170. Rowman& Littlefield, 2004 ISBN 0742523918. Read More