Should luxuries be allowed?

This week arguments have been highlighted within a BBC news report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7347638.stm), whereby in China they believe they should not need to reduce pollution, as pollution shouldn’t be counted per nation but per head. As China has a large population their argument is that they do not need to cut back on luxuries as although the west is producing less pollution and emissions, their emissions per head are 3 times that of Chinas.

So should China be allowed to indulge in ‘luxuries’ such as washing machines because of their population size? Personally I think no. Yes it sounds mean not allowing other countries to have the same amenities as us, but they’re the ones adding to this ever increasing environmental problem. Why should the Chinese population be allowed to wash their clothes in a washing machine and have air conditioning units when the whole world are then suffering from the air pollution caused. I don’t see why their ambitions are changing our world and if they live as we do, it could potentially result in the world heating up and the spread of air pollution related health problems.

I no its easy for me to say sat here in my clothes that have been washed and dried in a machine and using a laptop which together aren’t exactly helping the environment, but as a country England is, as well as many other nations, reducing its emissions in other ways such as using natural energy. This is unlike China, who despite setting targets and implementing long term methods are still opening 2 coal powered power stations every two weeks to provide its luxuries resulting inbeing the top polluters globally.

Therefore I’m not saying that we are a better, greener nation therefore we should be allowed luxuries, I’m saying that something needs to be done in China, and if it’s them not having luxuries then so be it.

References
BBC (2008) The extent of China's smog problem. News report. BBC news.

‘Top carbon polluter’

A BBC report by Roger Harrabin on 14th April 2008, states that China is in fact the top carbon polluter in the world. It has been found that China’s emissions have been underestimated, and the carbon entering the atmosphere and adding to the pollution is actually how US levels in 2006-2007 were. This status is also highlighted in an animated map created by the University of Sheffield and used within the report, as the emissions by nation show that China’s size significantly increases, indicating that as a country it allows high levels of carbon emission.

An animated map of the worlds carbon emissions (BBC news, 14th April 2008)

These significantly high levels are adding to the ever increasing air pollution and it has been reported that unless China radically changes its energy policies, its increases in greenhouse gases will be several times larger than the cuts in emissions being made by rich nations under the Kyoto Protocol. Despite this china is adamant that any negotiated emission reductions should not be absolute, but relative to a ‘business as usual’ scenario of projected growth. Therefore it is become accepted that any future global climate agreement will have to be factored to China’s high future emissions if the Chinese are to be persuaded to take part.

So should China be proud of this status they have in some ways achieved and be allowed to keep it through negotiations within global climate agreements? I personally think no. Why should a country be proud of this status and want to keep it? And why should global climate agreements try to be nice to China so that it joins agreements. Surely China should have realised by now that their environmental problem is currently uncontrollable and is affecting numerous people worldwide so desperate action and collaboration with global climate agreements is a must. Equally I think this all comes back to China’s greed, as officials know that as soon as they sign anything agreeing to cut down on emissions, industries and their economy will most likely suffer.

References

Harrabin. R. 2008 'China now 'top air polluter'' BBC news. 14th April 2008

How do you solve a problem like China’s?

Many ‘solutions’ have been implemented within china to help prevent and decrease its air pollution and its associated impacts. These solutions have involved short term methods such as those used in the lead up to the Olympics, and long term solutions. These long term solutions have included; afforestation, coal cleaning, converting gas stoves to use clean energy sources and alterations in car use.

The scale at which China is implementing its air pollution reduction methods are large in relation to other countries and the government has been praised for its determination to tackle the problem. Despite this the long term methods appear to be slowly changing the emissions and pollution and time seems to be rapidly running out, so does China need to put into action methods which will reduce this problem at a faster rate or should methods be left as they are? For the Olympics short term methods including; the closure of factories, taking old buses off the road and banning cars on certain days are being used in a desperate hope to increase the air quality over Beijing before their big event, but should these types of methods become long term solutions if they have such a large and quick impact on the air pollution? If factories were to be closed down completely there would be a major impact on the economy, but would this maybe be a small price to pay especially in the long run?

Overall it appears that China is in a difficult situation, as whatever route they take they will be scrutinised. Either their efforts will slowly reduce the pollution and the amount of deaths will be decreasing at such a slow rate it will appear as though nothing is being done despite Chinas determination, or they take drastic measures such as the closure of all factories, which would have a significant impact on the economy and general running of the country.

References

Bai. J (2008) China steps up efforts to fight pollution. Reuters. 12th February 2008.

Pomfret. J. (2008) China factories move inland to avoid green scrutiny. Reuters. 20th February 2008.

Schmollinger. C., and Shen. I. (2008) China to shut factories to cut air pollution before the Olympics. Bloomberg. 9th Fenruary 2008.