Beijing: Indoor Smog - An Export Industry
12/08/08 18:08
Until yesterday, I had never seen indoor smog... Below is the vast Norman-Foster designed arrival hall at Beijing’s new airport - its soaring roof supported by dozens of chimney-like columns fading away into the coal smoke in the distance...
As we drove downtown in one of Beijing’s ubiquitous minibuses, visibility decreased to about 1km as you can see from (click below to continue)
As we drove downtown in one of Beijing’s ubiquitous minibuses, visibility decreased to about 1km as you can see from (click below to continue)
...the photo taken from the six-star Wanda Sofitel hotel looking West... (Sadly, the just-completed hotel is a veritable showcase of 20th century non-energy efficient lighting and facilities.) Sixteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China according to the WHO.
Next door to the hotel is a 1997-built power station - one of dozens downtown. The hotel has a spectacular gym, populated by numerous air filtration devices with interesting “smoke” and “grit” meters designed to offset the coal “mist” as the Beijing residents have been taught to say.
And China is ramping up its pollution exports fast: about 25% of California’s air pollution is coming from China. That level is expected to grow to 33% as China increases its output. Message to Mr. Hu Jintao: Think Global, Act Local.
Next door to the hotel is a 1997-built power station - one of dozens downtown. The hotel has a spectacular gym, populated by numerous air filtration devices with interesting “smoke” and “grit” meters designed to offset the coal “mist” as the Beijing residents have been taught to say.
And China is ramping up its pollution exports fast: about 25% of California’s air pollution is coming from China. That level is expected to grow to 33% as China increases its output. Message to Mr. Hu Jintao: Think Global, Act Local.
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