Pollution From Chinese Coal Casts a Global Shadow



By KEITH BRADSHER and DAVID BARBOZA, NY Times.




Unless China finds a way to clean up its coal plants and the thousands of factories that burn coal, pollution will soar both at home and abroad. The increase in global-warming gases from China's coal use will probably exceed that for all industrialized countries combined over the next 25 years, surpassing by five times the reduction in such emissions that the Kyoto Protocol seeks.




The sulfur dioxide produced in coal combustion poses an immediate threat to the health of China's citizens, contributing to about 400,000 premature deaths a year. It also causes acid rain that poisons lakes, rivers, forests and crops.



Click To Read

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi! Bouncing around, I found your link on Enviromental Blogs page. Been watching the China scene, man, what a mess. Stumbled across an article the other day while writing a piece about China myself. To quote the article:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that on certain days nearly 25 percent of the particulate matter in the skies above Los Angeles can be traced to China.

I am trying to make some enviro contacts and have stopped by several other blogs this evening. I will try to drop back by later.
9:58 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Choices For Sustainable Living

The Vermont Earth Institute is sponsoring a discussion group entitled " Choices For Sustainable Living" at the Education and Wellness Center at 78 South Main Street, Rutland, Vermont beginning at 7:00 P.M.on Tuesday evening September 28th. This discussion group is Free and open to everyone and will meet for 9 weeks from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Tuesday evenings. For more information contact Mike O'Brien at 775-4340, 104. For discussion group readings go to the Vermont Earth Institute
Read more

Why the era of cheap food is over

Image
Christian Science Monitor Food prices worldwide hit record highs in 2006, and all the signs are that they will go on rising this year, and for the foreseeable future. The era of cheap food, the experts say, is over and we are going to have to get used to it. This is easier said than done for millions around the world, as evidenced by protests in Mexico over the cost of corn tortillas, and in Italy last September about the price of (wheat) pasta. Staff writer Peter Ford looks at why. Read more....
Read more

Climate Confusion: Who Wins?

Image
by Michael O'Brien Climate change is the biggest challenge we face as a humans. Any serious student who analyses the information recognizes that the overwhelming consensus from scientists is that we have a very small period of time in which our efforts will have a positive impact for our planet and our children's future. For the past 10 years or so, there has been rigorous debate both by the scientific community and in the press about climate change. The debate is over, the issues have been discussed and now is the time for us to take responsibility for our future. It is fascinating to watch the media feel the need to present the “other side” of this issue when there is discourse about climate change. My guess is that they feel vulnerable from the vocal skeptics or right wing talk show hosts so they include a dwindling number of scientists or spokespeople who argue against human causation. It seems there is an inordinate amount of air time devoted to this topic in proportion
Read more