Target: Chairman Zhang Dejiang, National People’s Congress of China
Goal: Implement emergency measures to reduce record pollution levels
Beijing, China is perpetually blanketed by a smog of toxic air pollutants. Many Chinese cities are worse off, as 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China. High industrial emissions combined with low environmental awareness are the source of the worsening problem. Recently, some cities issued an alert for students to stay inside while others cancelled classes altogether.
The problem is complex – improper recycling systems cause massive amounts of waste while deforestation hampers the environment’s buffering capacity. Unregulated chemical dumping has rendered most of the rivers toxic while urban and industrial pollution has blanketed entire cities in thick grey smog.
The cost of this carelessness is quite apparent, with the Chinese Ministry of Health declaring cancer due to air pollution the leading cause of death in the country. It is estimated that 400,000 people die prematurely every year in China due to illness such as heart disease and lung cancer caused by ambient air pollution. Another 60,000 died of water pollution related issues such as bladder and stomach cancer.
A mere 1% of urban residents breathe air considered to be safe by the European Union. On some days, pollutant and particulate levels climb to 30 times the recommended safe levels set by the World Health Organization. These are the days that roads, schools, and airports are closed and hospitals see an influx of patients with respiratory issues.
The pollution does not only effect China – acidic rain containing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have reached South Korea and Japan. Ocean wind systems have brought the pollution all the way to California, with 25% of Los Angeles’ air pollution estimated to be brought in from China.
China’s air pollution crisis need to be addressed immediately and aggressively. Though there are currently reduction measures in place, pollution levels are showing no sign of slowing their climb. This climb is potentially disastrous, and must be addressed with urgency to prevent further consequences internationally. Demand that China immediately reduce emissions by prioritizing the switch to renewable energy sources.
Dear Chairman Zhang Dejiang, National People’s Congress of China,
Air pollution levels in China’s urban areas have reached an all-time high, with thick grey smog blanketing many major cities. Industrial and urban emissions fill the air with toxic particulates that are responsible for millions of health problems and hundreds of thousands of premature deaths per year. Cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems continue to increase with the constant climb of toxic pollution.
The issue has reached a critical point where aggressive action is required to avert possible disaster. Despite the current measures in place, pollution continues to rise far past safe levels. I ask that China implement emergency measures to prioritize reduction of carbon and fossil fuel emissions. I ask that the process of installing renewable energy be expedited and citizens be educated about recycling and pollution.
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Suicup via Creative Commons