Wow- Another photo of Chinese Air pollution- The republican model for our future

[n2doc]

At left, a view of downtown Beijing on a clear day. At right, the same view on Wednesday night, U.S. east coast time. Click to enlarge. (Photos by Bill Bishop)

China’s air pollution has been bad lately. Really, really bad. We’ve posted photos of it before, but the above shot really drives home how severe this has gotten.

Both photos were taken in Beijing by Bill Bishop, who runs an excellent all-things-China e-mail newsletter called Sinocism (go subscribe). The photo on the left shows his view on a clear day. That tall building is the mammoth China World Trade Center Tower III.

On the right is a photo of the same view, taken late on Wednesday, U.S. East Coast time, or about 8 a.m. Beijing time. The 81-story skyscraper is all but invisible, shrouded by a layer of pollution so dense that even close-up objects are a blur.
Air pollution is gauged by a measurement called particles per cubic meter of air, sometimes abbreviated PM2.5 because it measures particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers wide. The higher the PM2.5 rating, the more dangerous particles are in the high, the worse the air is for your health.

To give you a sense of scale, there’s a big controversy in Utah right now because the PM2.5 air pollution in Salt Lake City has sometimes hit as high as 69. That number is considered unhealthy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, even adults should avoid all outdoor activities if the count hits 300. In Beijing and other Chinese cities, the air pollution rating can spend days hovering around 500.

more
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/28/the-most-shocking-photo-of-beijing-air-pollution-ive-ever-seen/

[liberal N proud]

1. I have been in Beijing and seen the view in the right.

Until a few days later, I had no idea there were buildings across the street.

[badtoworse]

2. Everyone breathes the same air

Do you honestly believe anyone would want that in the future?

[Niceguy1]

3. From personal experience...

Half of the people that commute to work via bicycle where I work are Republicans.... and they do it to help the environment and reduce oil use. My grandfather is a Republican and he is green as Kermit the frog.

[Historic NY]

5. Come on suck it up....

the free market dictates money is more important.

The present crop of morans in congress would say that were over regulated and it doesn't mean a thing.

[Niceguy1]

6. Don't know

I am not a Republican and I resist painting people with broad brushes. I really don't think that what is stated in the OP is what anyone wants or that it is even possible in this country.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. Please

The republican mantra is to stop regulation. Perhaps you should educate your friends. Perhaps they aren't as republican as they thought.

[aquart]

4. China has so many people it's willing to let them die young for market advantage.

With climate change crop failures and food animal die-offs already beginning, it's more practical to keep the pollution than fight it.

[badtoworse]

7. I was referring to this country in my post

But I've always wondered why the Chinese put up with such egregious air quality. Yours is the most plausible explanation I've heard.

[n2doc]

11. Not everyone lives everywhere

The Republican goal is to remove all government regulations. The Repub elite (1%ers) will continue to live in their vacation palaces in nice, clean environments. But the rest of us will be facing unlimited pollution of everything, so long as a buck can be made from it. And then we will be sold remedies like masks and bottled water to 'cure' the problems.

They have stated that they want to dismantle the EPA and other environmental regulations.

[badtoworse]

12. Do you actually know anything about air pollution and the efforts to control it?

It sounds to me like you're just regurgitating talking points

[n2doc]

13. Ah, the so called expert strikes

ignored. Enjoy your time here.

[badtoworse]

14. I've developed and managed power plants for 30 years

I do know a few things about air quality standards, pollution control, EPA regulations and air quality in general. On the other hand, I see a lot of broad brush BS posted on DU about air pollution and other environmental matters by people who know nothing about it.

[JaneyVee]

16. What "broad brush"? Ask any republican their mantra and they will say 'Drill Baby Drill' or

mumble something about "clean coal", whatever that is supposed to be. And forbid even mentioning the words climate change.

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. China is now the Capitalist Utopia

they have a tiny group at the top that have most all the money....a handful in a middle class....and a vast vast vast underclass living hungry in poverty. No worker protection....36 hour shifts....living in dorms 12 to a bathroom...

wilth all that....who needs clean air and water?

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. It never, ever, got that bad in Mexico City

Not even close. And it took measures I suspect the Chinese will not like.

[Brigid]

15. Seems like the Chinese . . .

Are making the same mistakes we made a century ago.