Chinese New Year was celebrated this weekend...and that means fireworks! Except when the government warns against them.
Beijing, China's largest city, has suffered extreme pollution seeing twice the number of really "bad" days so far this January. So it is really no surprise that the government allowed for about 1,000 fewer firework stands to sell fireworks. In fact sales were down by 37%.
As you can imagine, this was not pleasing to many of Beijing's city dwellers. "We do this to scare away the evil spirits, it's our tradition, and I've loved doing it ever since I was 5," said Bao, 38.
I applaud the Chinese government's attempt at curbing air pollution. But I would suggest that more strident measures are needed, and needed NOW. Selling a few hundred thousand less fireworks is not going to cut it in a city that has levels of small particle air pollution that are off the charts.
I lived in China in 1984 and 85. There were relatively little problems, then. Few cars were on the road. Beijing didn't have many major highways...and none that were more than two lanes.
When I returned to Beijing in 2005, I was stunned. Interstates snaked around the city and traffic was bumper to bumper! The air was stifling. My friend who teaches in Beijing showed me the mask she wore over her face the day before...YUCK!
So a few fireworks...well, I guess it's a start. But the Chinese government needs to do more...soon.
Or the year of the snake will become the year of the horse and we won't even be able to see it!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/02/10/china-fireworks-year-of-the-snake/1906779/
I completely agree with you. In Mexico City, they restrict the driving by giving you a license plate that doesn't allow you to drive one day out of the week. This would force many people to find a carpool and would help cut down on the massive amount of cars they have on the street. Maybe this could be applied to Beijing? But either way, the Chinese government needs to start looking at different ways to solve the problem.
ReplyDelete