Earlier in the semester we discussed how trade & globalization are affecting the environment. For example a negative affect that comes with increased trade is the exploitation of natural resources, but the affects of trade are not all negative, as we are also seeing an increase in wealth. However, with this increased wealth there are externalities that are beginning to surface. An example of an externality from increased wealth may be pollution from production or newly acquired automobiles. The problem of pollution and smog is something that China has been dealing with over the last few years.
The Economist talks about China's "Blackest Day" The article shows how hazardous the smog is for the people of Beijing, but I think it is interesting that it does not mention how this smog might affect the world community's air quality as well. Air pollution often cannot be constrained to only one country, and will therefore transcend borders and effect many people. If "tens of thousands of Chinese are reckoned to die each year because of this foul air" then what are the consequences for the world?
Clearly, this increase in smoggy days is due to the fact that China's becoming more "wealthy" due to trade and globalization. As discussed, as a country becomes more wealthy, they start purchasing things that often signify an increased salary, like meat or cars. Over the last few years, the automobile market in China has increased. While this article is a bit outdated, it gives a good idea to how many people in China aspire to own a car and the effects that may come with that, and have, as we have seen in the articles posted above and with the exploding car population.
As discussed in lecture, as a country becomes "post industrial it will demand more environmentally sustainable technology, like cars with better gas mileage or even electric cars. In the future, this might be a solution to China's smog problem.
The fact that China emits an exuberant amount of air pollution, ever increasingly, is no new fact. I'd be curious to know who does the inspection of China's air quality, and who is in charge of publishing the reports. If it isn't a 3rd party from outside of China, I would believe the affects are even higher than what is reported, as are many statistics, especially in authoritarian countries.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I learned in a different class that China requires that all products are tested on animals before they're approved for use/consumption. This isn't actually that shocking when China's labor laws are remembered.
If China can make round cars, iPads, and other cutting-edge technologies, I believe they can find a solution to the huge negative externalities that they are accruing. China's development cannot come at the cost of the rest of the world, and so far it has.
I think that if the U.S. stopped trading with China to urge many needed reforms, we would not only strengthen the U.S.'s industrial economy, but also China's economy for the future, and help promote the health of the rest of the world.
This is very worrisome, not only because of the obvious fact that this increased air pollution is detrimental to the environment and people's health. It also brings about the question of people's happiness (the Happiness Quotient). China has had the largest growing middle class in the world recently since its economic development, but as I learned in my Global Development class, studies have shown that people are no more happy than they were previously. Granted, with this economic development comes increased access to education and better job opportunities, but China is now experiencing declining air quality, depleted fresh water sources, and overcrowding. Economically, China most likely will not rethink its development strategy of increased car production and consumption--this change will have to occur as a result of the citizen's pressuring the government.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting because I think every country evolves at its own pace, but ultimately they all develop in the same way. It seems as if China is going through its industrial revolution, just as the United States and parts of Europe did nearly a century ago. We all know about the terrible conditions that existed in Europe during the turn of the industrial revolution, the pollution, disease, and of course death. However, in today's world there exists much more knowledge about health, which is the reason for so many regulations regarding pollution and the work place. If you look at America, we industrialized a long time ago, and since then we have countless rules and regulations that promise to provide a safe and healthy environment for us to live and work in. China on the other hand, is just behind on the process but is rapidly catching up. I think it is only inevitable that the conditions are what they are in China, but once they move out of an industrialized economy they will start to see better living conditions and a cleaner environment.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad this was posted. I find the air pollution issue in China to be very interesting. You are so right in the fact that we, as Americans, should be asking HOW China's poor air quality will affect our own country, as well as the world. In the article talking about the "Blackest Day", I really like how the details are left out(weatherman report or the US embassy's readings) because it was undeniable that China has a huge problem. It is encouraging that things are being done, especially because things are visibly wrong, but it is unfortunate that pollution control/reduction will take so long. Also, in the actual blog post I like how you point out the obvious connection between industrialization, wealth, and environmental degradation. Finally, I do believe environmentally sustainable technology will definitely be in China's future.....I'm interested to see exactly when Chinese cars will begin to be sold here!
ReplyDeleteIn class we discussed the "Environmental Kuznets Curve," which illustrates the environmental impact of industrialization. In theory, a country pursuing industrialization will see a great increase in pollution until it progresses into a "post-industrial" phase. The coming of such a phase is not exactly foreseeable, and therefore the issue of China's air pollution is something that needs to be addressed sooner than later. The Chinese government has an strong incentive to continue industrial production as it is now, but increased pressure from international actors (i.e. through sanctions) as well as internal pressure from Chinese citizens will prompt them to make some changes. That is, if the current government plans to remain in power.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. China's air pollution problems have been of increasing concern but lately the Chinese government has open up information and numbers about the effects of the pollution to the general public. Hopefully this new knowledge would help the population put more measures into effect to combat the problem. It would be interesting to know more information and do more research on the effect of this pollution on the entire world and if it will affect any other nations.
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