Air Pollution: The Effects of Coal Used in Chinese Environment - Term Paper Example

Air Pollution: The Effects of Coal Used in Chinese Environment Introduction China is one of the largest nations by landmass, population, and income.With its rapid economic development and participation in the global economy, China also confronts one of the most demanding issues today, environmental problems. Specifically, the most prevalent environmental problem in China is air pollution because of the increasing amount of CO2 emissions due to automobile and coal use. Although coal power and automobile industries influence the economic development of China, those industries also cause air pollution that may hinder further development. Primarily, this paper suggests that production and consumption of low quality coal in China is the primary reason of air pollution. For this paper, the main discussion centers on the effects of the CO2 emissions on the environment of China, as well as its global impact especially in relation to climate change. In addition, this paper also gives an overview of Chinese policies concerning environmental protection and development. Coal Production and Consumption China is the leading producer and consumer of coal (“Coal Statistics”). In 2010, China produces an estimated weight of 3162 million tonnes of hard coal, which is three times more than the hard coal production of the United States (932 million tonnes). Considering this data, it can be said that coal is one of China’s primary source of GDP. Aside from coal production, China is also the leading consumer of coal. In the same year (2010), China consumes an estimated weight of 2516 million tonnes, which is, again, thrice as much as the consumption of the United States (733 million tonnes). Aside from this, coal is not only used in factories. It is already used for household purposes such as cooking. Considering China’s dependence on coal for its major production and distribution, it can be said that coal has become part of Chinese development. As mentioned by Glaeser, the economic development of China, especially the extensive use of coal in most of its business activities, had put to risk its agricultural resources, and it had also spurred the increase of deaths due to lung cancer (87). Specifically, industrialization causes air pollution, and it is prevalent in urban centers, where industries that use coal for production are located. In the words of Zheng et al., this situation is primarily due to the increasing use of combustible fuels (730). For instance, as coal-powered plants emit pollutants such as soot and SO2 (sulfur dioxide), the emitted substances stay in the air in the form of smog, dust, and soot. In addition, toxic chemicals in the air cause acid rains, which can also pollute the land by the time they reach the ground. Moreover, toxic chemicals in the air are carried away to agricultural areas causing crops and other plants to whither. Consequently, this situation also causes the production of agricultural products to decrease. Environmental Effects of Coal Use Considering the environmental condition of China, it can be said that the most destructive effects of economic development affect the environment in the sense that problems concerning climate change and global warming become one of the most pressing issues in China today. Air pollution is the most noticeable effect of Chinese development, and it brings out different kinds of problems including climate change, decrease in agricultural production, and increase in mortality rates due to respiratory diseases. For instance, Zheng et al. mention that the heat generated by coal-powered plants causes permafrost to melt easily, thereby increasing the sea level (730). Furthermore, deforestation and forest fires for lumber and coal production reduce the amount of trees that could help purify the air. As air content remains toxic due to sulfur dioxide and soot, crops whither, this leads to a decrease in agricultural production for local food supplies. The toxic chemicals present in the air also cause respiratory diseases. For instance, the emissions of coal-powered factories contaminate the air with pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. These chemicals are said to cause respiratory and heart diseases. As mentioned by Kim, air pollution causes the death of 300,000 to 400,000 Chinese annually, and this mortality rate is due to respiratory diseases (3). Kim added that the particulate matter present in the air can trigger heart disease, which leads to stroke. Relatively, the environmental effects of air pollution affect the health of Chinese as well, since they suffer from the effects of the toxicity level of air. Consequently, this situation leads to an increase in mortality rates. Kim also mentions that the most significant effect of air pollution on the environment of China is climate change (3). Coal-producing and coal-powered factories are the major sources of carbon dioxide emissions in China. Carbon dioxide, as a greenhouse gas, penetrates the air and, in the long run, has the capacity to alter the weather of China. For instance, it is projected that air pollution in China triggers the permafrost in the Himalayas to melt in a span of 30 years. Additionally, as toxic substances in the air transfer in the soil through acid rains, there is also a tendency that China will experience drought, which leads to food and water shortage. In relation to the prevalence of acid rains in China, Kim also mentions that acid rains cause the land to deteriorate, which means that crops and animals will take more time to raise (3). As a result, agricultural production will decrease due to the presence of toxic chemicals in the air such as black carbon soot and sulfur dioxide. By the time these toxic chemicals penetrate the soil through acid rains, the once arable land will deteriorate and will cease to yield enough amount of food to cover local consumption. Considering the possible decrease in agricultural production, it can be said that for export Chinese products will also decrease. This would also affect the status of China as a major exporter of grain products worldwide. An Overview of Chinese Environmental Policies As mentioned by Ferris and Zhang, the foundation of Chinese environmental policies is the National People’s Congress (NPC); the NPC is commissioned to amend and enact environmental laws for conservation and protection (69). These laws include the Environmental Protection Law (EPL) passed in 1979; this law is the first environmental law of China, and is considered the basis for the succeeding environmental protection laws. NPC also passed the Forestry Law in 1985, and, in 2002, NPC passed the Environmental Impact Assessment Law. The first law that emphasized air pollution was passed in 1987 with the title Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law, and, in 2008, NCP passed the 3rd amendment of this law. Currently, this law is one of the foundations of other laws that govern current environmental protection and conservation programs. However, although China had passed several environmental laws, those laws were still not enough to regain the environmental vitality of Chinese cities especially those cities that are currently undergoing rapid economic transformations. This situation is caused by the domestic and international factors that need to be considered in the implementation of environmental rules (Heggelund 157). For instance, domestic environmental regulations depend on the process of local regulatory boards, which direct individual notices, advocacies, and opportunities for investors. As economic development is the primary aim of regulatory boards, environmental concerns frequently remain in the sidelines. In addition, as China has opened itself for foreign investors, environmental regulatory boards also have to consider international contracts and advocacies. Aside from the laws against air pollution, the growth of coal-powered industries also drives the Chinese government to formulate laws on energy consumption. For instance, Chow mentions that national and local regulatory boards pass environmental rules that regulate the prices of natural gas; the main goal of these regulations is to reduce energy consumption, which could, in the long run, reduce air toxicity (9). In addition, Chinese government is also raising the taxes for those factories that use toxic chemicals while imposing large penalties for those factories that have the highest degree of toxic emissions. In this way, factories that emit large amounts of toxic chemicals either in the air, land, or water will be controlled. Reinforcing Solutions to Environmental Problems Although it can be said that China has its own accurate set of environmental regulations, environmental goals are still not met due to the preference of economic incentives over environmental benefits (Chow 8). Moreover, local officials lack financial and professional incentives in implementing environmental regulations, which lessens their enthusiasm in promoting environmental advocacies. With this situation at hand, it can be said that the most effective way in reducing air pollution is to design cost-effective but environment-friendly facilities and infrastructures. As mentioned by Fan Zhengwei, Chinese authorities propose the development of strategic implementation of rules, as well as promote environmental governance. In addition, the Chinese government will also organize reforestation and energy conservation programs. Aside from this, Gambhir also reports that the last two parts of China’s Five-Year Plans aim to pursue the formulation and implementation of programs that advocate environmental sustainability. In addition, as the plan also tackles issues on energy expenditure, the Chinese government plans to provide sustainable sources of energy. Relatively, as air pollution destroys aerial, marine, and land habitats, environmental programs are launched to initiate environmental protection and conservation. The Chinese government also considers decarbonisation options as it could help reduce air pollution. However, decarbonisation options have to undergo assessment to ensure that it could help achieve China’s emission reduction target. As China’s air pollution problems affect the world as much as it affects China itself, it can be said that it is necessary to reduce coal production and consumption. Conclusion Taken together, China’s economic development affects the environment in different ways. Specifically, China’s dependence on coal for its production and consumption spurs the growth of environmental problems especially air pollution. As coal-powered factories and households that rely mainly on coal as its primary fuel emit greenhouse gases, the toxicity level of the air increases. Consequently, the toxicity level of the air affects agricultural production, as well as the health of Chinese. Considering this case, it can be said that air pollution is the worst effect of economic development. As a result of the urgency of environmental issues in China, Chinese government promotes programs that advocate environmental protection and conservation; the Chinese government also passes laws that regulate coal production and consumption. Conclusively, as air pollution and other environmental concerns grip China today, Chinese government needs to consider the welfare of both the environment and people in the process of pursuing further economic development. Works Cited Chow, Gregory C. “China’s Energy and Environmental Problems and Policies.” CEPS Working Paper No. 152. Princeton University, 2007. Print. “Coal Statistics.” Worldcoal.org. World Coal Association, Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. . Ferris, Richard J., and Hongjun Zhang. “Environmental Law in the People’s Republic of China: An Overview Describing Challenges and Providing Insights for Good Governance.” China’s Environment and the Challenge of Sustainable Development. Ed. Kristen A. Day. New York: M.E. Sharpe, 2005. 66-101. Print. Gambhir, Ajay. “Decarbonising China by 2010.” Power Engineering. Power Engineering, 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. . Glaeser, Bernhard. Environment, Development, Agriculture: Integrated Policy Through Human Ecology. London: UCL Press, 1995. Print. Heggelund, Gorild. “China’s Climate Change Policy: Domestic and International Developments.” Asian Perspectives 31.2 (2007): 155-191. Print. Kim, Juli S. “Transboundary Air Pollution--Will China Choke on its Success?” Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Wilson Center, 2 Feb. 2007. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. . Zheng, Ning, Yihui Ding, Jiahua Pan, Huijun Wang, and Jay Gregg. “Climate Change-- The Chinese Challenge.” Policy Forum 8 (Feb. 2008): 730+. Print. Zhengwei, Fan. “Facing Problems Forges Confidence for Development.” People’s Daily Online. People’s Daily Online, 9 Mar. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. . Read More