Tyler Bowen
Mr. Phillips
8 May 2017
All around the world, people are blind to the harm they are doing to the
Earth. Air pollution continues to worsen as more peoples lifestyles are directed
towards fossil fuel use, and companies wanting to save money by using fossil
fuels. China is caught in this dilemma. China is considered one of the most
rapidly growing nations in the world, but is also the leading emitter of Sulfur
Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, and many more harmful chemicals formed from burning
fossil fuels. Smog rolls into cities silently and covers the area in a thick grey
blanket. Schools, Roads, and Airports all shut down because it is to dangerous
to walk outside and breath in the deadly air. The Chinese government struggles
to invoke laws to regulate the amount of dangerous chemicals being emitted into
the air. Because the government struggles to regulate air pollution, it has
The Chinese middle class are fed up with the poor air quality they have
been living in. The people are protesting and making their voices heard in many
The people have been trying to use the media to gather up supporters to help
their cause. But the only problem is, the government is restricting their access to
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using media sources to raise awareness. China has restricted their people from
putting out propaganda of any kind to the public. They have cut off social media
sites, TV channels, and have even stopped business from selling flyers and
posters. Lan Yanfei, an active anti-pollution supporter and mother says, How
are we going to clean up the pollution, when we are not even allowed to talk
about it? (Kuhn) The chinese government has muted the voices of many, and
has cut off anyone trying to stir the society about the worsening pollution. Many
people including Lan Yanfei have moved away from Beijing, one of Chinas most
polluted cities, in seek of better air quality. The families are worried about their
children's health, our children come first says Lan Yanfei. The Chinese
middle class analyst, We can see that the government is very nervous about the
smog and the rising power of the middle class. Chinas middle class has made
a huge impact with their words and actions. They want a safer and healthier
threatening diseases. Air pollution can hurt our body physically, according to the
World Health Organization, more than 92% of the world's population is breathing
polluted air . Toxic environments are responsible for 1 out of 4 deaths worldwide
(Mercola). As a result of the poor air quality, more and more people are
developing Asthma, Bronchitis, and are even more likely to have heart attacks.
Not only does air pollution affect our physical stature, it really takes a huge
impact in a person's mental and emotional health. In fact, studies have shown
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that worsening air quality is a key factor in reduced happiness. It also states that
costs of air pollution are well underestimated (Meyer). Not only does air pollution
affect the emotional state of someone, it also impacts the ability to work
efficiently. This is decreasing the amount of output for businesses and causing
economy to rise in global status in the last couple of years, for the most part.
They are also one of the main sources of air pollution in the country. On April 22,
2017, over 2800 businesses were found guilty of violating air pollution standards
(IANS). Industries have overheard the government proposing to cut off funding
producing as much coal as they can to increase their profit, but don't realize all
the bad in doing it (Miner). The power of money is destroying Chinas air quality.
It seems that when the economy improves, the air quality is terrible, and when
the economy is suffering, the air quality is better. China is trapped in this endless
conflict of air quality vs. economy (Grigg). Every time the Chinese government
sets forth a new law or regulation, its economy folds and takes a hit. But, there is
China is finding new renewable energy sources that include wind power,
solar power, and many more, and applying it to their everyday lives. China is
switching from gas cars to more efficient and cleaner sources. According to
Trevor Worthington, vice president of product development for Ford Motor Co. in
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Shanghai, China has been pushing very aggressively to move to a greater mix
of electrified vehicles. Studies have shown that electric car sales have
increased 87% just this year, the most it has ever been (Schmitz). China is on
the road to cleaner and safer air. China is even putting more pollution laws and
regulations into place, and being more strict when inspecting businesses and
industries. Even though China is the number one leading polluter, their pollution
laws and it isn't helping Chinas air quality. Businesses need to understand the
harm they doing to their people, and air when they continue to burn fossil fuels
for profit. Without proper inspection, industries will continue to illegally burn fossil
fuels and emit toxic chemicals into the air. The Chinese economy must be able
to take risks if they want to better their air quality standards. With this, China has
to be able to switch to more eco-friendly options such as driving electric cars and
using natural resources for power. China is definitely on the road to cleaner and
safer air quality standards, they just need to enforce more change and be willing
Works Cited
Haas, Benjamin. China Riot Police Seal off City Centre after Smog Protesters
Accessed 27 Apr.2017.
IANS. Over 2,800 Companies Breaking Air Pollution Rules in China. News 18,
Kuhn, Anthony. For Some In China's Middle Class, Pollution Is Spurring Action.
Meyer, Denise L. Bad Air Contributing to Poor Mental Health and Being
Miner, Metal AG. Are Chinas Ambitions To Combat Pollution Hurting Its