Pollution in China: problems, causes and consequences

China is suffering a transformation process in which people migrate from rural areas to large industrialized citieswhere pollution problems abound. In fact, It has 16 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world According to the World Bank and, approximately, 200 cities exceed the limit values ​​of suspended particles, established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Let’s see now the different types of pollution:

Air pollution

The polluting effects of suspended particles are a serious problem in China. Their indexes are alarming and may have serious repercussions on people’s health, since Decrease air quality increases the risk of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseasesboth chronic and acute in both cases. Air pollution can also influence the visibility of light and modify the properties of the atmosphere.

On the other hand, due to the high concentration of sulfur oxides and nitrogen generated by industrial activities, a quarter of the country’s surface suffers the consequences of acid rain, transforming China into one of the most affected countries in the world by the phenomenon of acid rain.

Despite the aforementioned, several indicators of air quality have shown improvements.

We advise you to read these other articles on the types of air pollution and what it is and how air quality is measured.

Water pollution

China has only 8% of world fresh water and it is estimated that even 70% of its rivers, lakes and swamps are affected by all types of pollutants. About 20% of contamination with hazardous and persistent chemicals comes from industrial discharges such as textile industry and chemical and petrochemical industries. These discharges reach the important rivers deltas of China causing severe threats in health and biodiversity. In the oceans, almost all the coasts are affected by polluting agents from the continent and the spills of oil and wastewater with toxic substances such as lead, cadmium and arsenic.

On the other hand, it is estimated that about two thirds of Chinese cities, They suffer from water shortage and some villages or even can access it. Here you can read about water scarcity: what is, causes and consequences.

We also recommend reading these other articles related to the types of water pollution and the causes and consequences of water pollution.

Soil pollution

Soil pollution affects the quality of water, air and food. Soil pollution causes a chain effect in which their functions and structure are altered in turn contaminating ground water reserves and nearby water bodies. China suffers a great Heavy metal pollution. In turn, in crops carried out abroad, high concentrations of lead have been found and it has been concluded that atmospheric deposition is the main cause of pollution. The presence of industries in sectors adjacent to the cultivation areas, influence the presence of high copper and zinc concentrations.

Let us now know what are the causes of pollution problems in China:

Coal, natural gas and oil

Between 2000 and 2014 China has been responsible for three quarters of pollution because of coal around the world. Their total carbon dioxide emissions exceed 7 gigatons (GT) since coal is used as the main energy source because it abounds as a resource. Although today the use of coal has decreased, its substitutes are natural gas and oil. These compounds contaminate the environment at the time of their extraction and transport, since in the extraction process large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane are released. These emissions increase mostly if perform fracking (Hydraulic fracturing), a technique that uses a large percentage of water, contaminates underground napas and in which certain chemicals are used in the atmosphere.

Here you can read about what is fracking and how it works.

Energy consumption

Energy consumption in the Popular Republic of China is one of the main causes of Greenhouse gase emissions and pollutantsincreasing this way Climate change. Being a completely unequal country, energy consumption is not related to that of its population, that is, household consumption is not high as in the case of Europe and the United States, since many people can barely meet their basic needs. Excessive energy consumption is intimately associated with industrial and agricultural activities.

Industries

Because China is the Greater world producer of various products (From vehicles, plastic products, textiles, chemicals, food, electronics, to minerals such as steel and iron and many more), industries are one of the main pollutants of the country and those who have greater influence on climate change, due to high greenhouse gas emissions that release the atmosphere. In turn, many of them release industrial spills without any treatment towards important water courses, contaminating them.

Urbanization

When the cities grow, the constructions grow with them and, for this, cement that generates great impacts on the environment is needed. On the one hand, the Erosion of the mountains Because of the extraction of limestone. On the other hand, in production A lot of energy is invested And, in turn, calcination in the furnaces leaves waste such as the dust of the crushed stone that is usually abandoned and can contaminate groundwater or nearby water bodies.

Transport

China is the third largest vehicle manufacturer worldwide after the United States and Japan. Due to the fuel burningtransport is an important source of gase emissions, especially in those land transport, regardless of whether it is a country that sells more electric cars than any other. In turn, there are implications for road expansion, greater dependence on imported oil and air quality, which despite having recently improved, remains insufficient in some cities such as Beijing.

Fertilizers and pesticides

Excessive and prolonged use of fertilizers and pesticides The quality and fertility of the Earth decreases. In turn, they affect the quality of the water because they are one of the main managers of eutrophication (high concentrations of nutrients due to anthropic activities).

Waste

The lack of waste management and poor disposition of them Contamin the soil and air and leachate product of decomposition can reach nearby bodies of water or groundwater reserves through rainwater and contaminate water also. In turn, deposit them outdoors without any treatment, attracts disease vectors.

In addition, we advise you to read these articles about what are the pollutants of the air and what are the contaminating agents of the soil.

The high levels of contamination have more and more health repercussions of the inhabitants. Air pollution has caused a lot of premature deathsmainly due to Respiratory and cardiac diseases. In turn, many of the diseases that were believed to be eradicated, such as tuberculosis, are reappearing and this may be due in part to water pollution. Here you can read about health problems due to air pollution.

On the other hand, pollution generates great socioeconomic lossessince the costs to repair environmental damage are very high. Also the costs invested in public health have increased excessively.

Another of the severe consequences of pollution in China is global climate changesince many of its effects are impacting today. If China together with other world powers do not generate a radical change, the world will not be able to win the fight against climate change.

Regardless of whether it is difficult to be optimistic about the current situation facing China, there are certain measures to reduce pollution, let’s see what they are:

• Promote Clean energysuch as solar and wind energy and reduce the use and abuse of non -renewable energies such as oil.
• Foster the Tree planting to reduce the effects of soil degradation, pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Generate environmental awareness through environmental education programs with the objective of generating changes in habits in people and raising awareness about the environmental problems around us.
• Apply, improve and strengthen lawsState policies and regulations associated with the environment.
• Avoid the use of hazardous substancessuch as alkyfenoles in the textile industry since eliminating them and replacing them with a safer alternative can prevent them from reaching rivers.
• Support non -governmental organizations (NGOs) Related to environmental issues since China has more than 2,000 NGOs, but most are small, they are poorly financed, isolated and need help.
• Meet the goals proposed in the International agreements such as, for example, the Paris Agreement with the seriousness and urgency that requires.

Now that you know the problems of pollution better in China, you can also take a look at our articles on the possible solutions for air pollution, solutions to water pollution and how to avoid soil pollution.

If you want to read more articles similar to Pollution in China: problems, causes and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our pollution category.