Learning fog management from Londoners

Author  :  Cao Jie     Source  :    CSSN     2013-02-04

The long-lasting foggy weather in Beijing has yet to end, but this is not the worst part of the problem. The worst thing is that Chinese air pollution in the past, only affected Beijing and some other hard-hit areas. However, the scope is now rapidly growing. A report says that out of the 10 world cities which are most seriously hit by air pollution, 7 can be found in China. Before the haze clears away, Chinese citizens need to think calmly over one question--why has the issue of “bad weather” which has been talked about for so many years, become even more serious? Not only should the government shoulder its responsibility, but every one of us should ask ourselves, to what extent have we helped create the problem?

Certainly, in order to solve urban livelihood problems, the government cannot shirk its responsibilities, and reacting slowly will only be criticized. Many people suggest China learn some lessons from the former “foggy city” London. As a matter of fact, the West might not always be a good teacher. As early as 1863 when subways were first opened in London, the passengers had to endure strong and toxic odors of sulphur from the coal-burning locomotives. Nevertheless, British policymakers postponed the problem in the face of such obvious environmental effects. Until 1952-1953, when the London “toxic fog incident” erupted, causing 12,000 people to die from air pollution, the British government realized that “it was time to move thermal power stations from the cities, and it was necessary to replace cheap coal with electricity which is slightly more expensive”.   

During this time, when China is encountering similar setbacks to those experienced by western industrial countries in their years of development, we hope to obtain experience from the West, which is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, but we seldom draw lessons from their helplessness and take early precautions, so we eventually recommit the same errors.     

Looking at the history of western cities’ environmental management, the role of city managers is very important for people to be able to breathe fresh air, but what is more important is the effort of all citizens.   
   
While Beijingers have to wear masks due to the hazy fog, Londoners are enjoying fresh air after a snowfall. This is not a gratuitous gift; rather, it has been traded off with Londoners’ other “accumulations”. A majority of Londoners go by subway or bus, install solar panels to the best of their affordability when buying houses, and use renewable energies. There are many second-hand stores in London, selling products from clothes to toys which have been voluntarily contributed by citizens. People don’t feel that they “lose face” by buying from them, because they know that putting those things to use instead of throwing them away means protecting the urban environment together.    

Up to today, think tanks in London publish data on local air quality and its impacts on citizens on a yearly basis. But outsiders may not know that even in 2012, 30,000 people died from environmental pollution in this city, which made some British people feel awkward choosing between a “forests or a new house”. On the other hand, Chinese people are inured to these phenomena. Many people are complaining that “the urban environment is getting worse and worse”, while others are happy after winning the lottery which qualifies them to purchase private cars.

The fog will clear away in the end, but the real question should be, when will China next be smothered in fog? At the same time as the fog clears, we also need to change our attitudes and stop procrastinating when it comes to fulfilling our personal responsibilities to protect our environment.

(The author, Cao Jie, is a UK-based media person. See the text in Chinese: http://opinion.cntv.cn/2013/01/17/ARTI1358395870672810.shtml )    
                                

 

 

 

Translated by Wang Xiaoran

Editor: Yu Hua　　
　　

 

 

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