Pervasive greyness infiltrates the windows. Again. Every morning lately, it’s the same. Rise and shine, look out the window, and it looks something like this
The red 福 character for good fortune, placed upside down on my window, brings some colour into the grey grey view.
Thankfully, there is some legal response. After Beijing’s notoriously high pollutant levels, the China’s new environment laws, the Environmental Protection Tax Law – designed to strengthen existing laws – was promulgated in December 2016. Companies which emit air, water, or noise pollution will be fined.
Unfortunately, carbon dioxide is exempt. Gasoline and diesel fuels however must comply with new regulations, which are similar to the European standards.
Pollution affects business and personal lives – flights are delayed or cancelled when the AQI – Air Quality Index- rises to extreme standards. The noxiousness of chemical pollution is in no doubt – it creates a diverse mix of shocking diseases which shortens lives and causes difficulties, often extreme.
To support monitoring greenhouse gases, China has become the third nation to launch a satellite that will monitor CO2 and other emissions from space.
When the streets look like this, however
all you really need to do is step outside to know that the pollution levels are dangerously high.
Some people have had enough. In Beijing, protestors took to the streets. In Chengdu, the capital of normally very green Sichuan province, protestors put air masks on statues.
Protestors in Daqing, a city in north-east China, gathered last week to protest about an aluminium plant. One woman collapsed during the protest. From the end of 2016 and into January 2017, Beijing, Tianjin and other northern cities saw the pollution index so high it burst the measuring systems.
Protestors in Tianjin, speaking out against chronic, toxic pollution that chocked northern cities last month.
Let’s hope the new laws help.
spaceship china 
I saw how crazy the situation in China is after watching a documentary! Beijing is the worst, there is even a guy that uses his vacuum cleaner to transform the pollution into bricks! crazy @@ http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/asia/china-pollution-artist/
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Beijing is absolutely the worst. Its criminal to think of the pollution there. i am lucky i dont live there…. and I would believe it about the pollution to bricks – incredible! thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Ahah when I read this news, I was laughing so hard xD poor chinese, they also have a beautiful nature but they are ruining it 😦 hope this law will improve the situation! You are welcome 😊
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Why is the red character upside down? Pity there isn’t a carbon tax as well – but still small steps can reach a destination too.
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the red character “fu” is upside down because it means good fortune, and when it is upside down it symbolizes the good luck pouring in!!! yes, small steps at a time.
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Ah, I understand now!!
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Interesting post. Enjoyed reading it. I don’t miss the smog. Not one bit.
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Thanks for dropping by Sue. It’s not something anyone would miss. The greyness is very tiring. Time will tell how much effect the new laws have.
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I was incredibly lucky both times I’ve been in Beijing. I had blue skies and crisp air and could not believe all I read about the pollution there. I do know it’s true, though, and not just from your post – it’s outrageous what levels that terrible air has reached. Let’s hope the new laws have some small and building effect over time.
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Truly only a few years ago it was blue blue skies. I can hardly believe myself how it has changed in such a few years. But i see it with my own eyes every day and it is debilitating . I’m glad you have seen Beijing but on her beautiful face, Lexi. A truly amazing city, so sad what is happening. I dont want to go back. Especially in winter.
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I try my best to think well of all – but I must say I am beyond disgusted with ALL politicians – waiting to act until protests reach a level they cannot ignore and pretend to be concerned at all. Unless the fines are very steep, however, I doubt they’ll do much to change things – except to quiet the protesters for a bit during the “wait and see” phase.
I wonder where politicians think THEY are going to live once they allow Corporate Capitalists to trash the planet. And their children? Grandchildren? They all seem to me like that Wimpy character in the Popeye cartoons – eager to be allowed to pay on Wednesday for a hamburger today.
Not just China, btw – America has a miserable record on Environmental Protection – and it’s about to get much worse if the current administration is allowed to proceed unopposed by Congress.
What is WRONG with these people?
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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The new laws are a good start, but hopefully just a start. The world needs to respond appropriately, yet the new US government has decided tp put a public gag on the EPA. Not a good sign.
Is there a significance in placing your good luck symbol upside down?
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HI Draco, yes the ‘fu’ symbol for good luck is placed upside down so that the good luck pours into the household over the new year and beyond!
We all have to be more proactive in protecting our environment -luckily that new president is facing a lot of people, including state governments of his country, who are not letting him get away with his madness!
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