For all Beijingers behind the Great Firewall:
http://iphone.bjair.info
The twitter feed from the Us Embassy pollution/particle monitor.
Enjoy!
Oh, actually you won't....
Beijing vs Shanghai – Whose Air is Worse?
As loyal Beijingers we understand our fair city is superior to Shanghai in almost every respect, but sadly the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has concluded Shanghai has it over us in one respect - air quality.
Over at MyHealthBeijing, Dr Richard notes; “Shanghai has cleaner air, because geographically it has local oceans and waters that can rapidly clear the air, while Beijing is similar to Los Angeles in being stuck in a valley surrounded by mountains.” The good doctor also provides links to the UN report.
Which is not to say Shanghai exactly offers easy breathing – as Dr Richard points out on average days the haze over both cities looks much the same, and on most fronts Shanghai and Beijing exceed WHO recommended levels of pollutants. It seems Shanghai does, however, have lower levels of particulate matter in its atmopshere – those little invisible particles that potentially do nasty long-term damage to our lungs.
You can check out Dr. Richard’s earlier discussion of air pollution in Beijing here.
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Thanks for sharing the article which put the two most famous urban cities of China side by side. Having visited and stayed in both cities myself for varied lengths, I succinctly agree with the views and comparisons presented.
In Shanghai, I feel like it is a world of wheeling and dealing. It is the place to climb up the corporate ladder, earn more money (or aim to do so), and live flamboyantly in the materialistic world. When you stop churning with all the flashing neon lights, you realize you are in a city that lies in a country of 1.3 billion people whereby half of them are still struggling in their standard of living. There is a feeling of 'unreal' arising in me, for reasons unknown.
In Beijing, I feel the scene to be more "China-like". The air is hazier, the vista less "expensive". The atmosphere of art and culture seems to hang in the air, drawing one to look for it. I saw more people squatting by the roadside, and more people spitting. Their language more pronouncedly "correct", with an air of arrogance in being able to carry that . Here, I feel instinctively away from the bustle-bustle of commerce and [url=http://easyfastcashloans.com][color=#000000]fast cash[/color][/url]. It made me realize this is the seat of power for a country that can no longer be underestimated in the world politics and economy, now and in the future. It is a feeling of 'awe' as well as 'reality'.
Protests? Here? In China? Dream on. I think most Chinese don't even know that there can be a better environment and that its natural to have a blue sky. They are so used to this weather now that if the sun came out everyday, they would say it spoils their skin. Nothing's gonna change here.
and very good facts! Very noble of you. Thanks for all the friendly comments concerning my post. I hope we will see some protests soon. Apologies for misinterpreting what you were saying about La.
Oh gosh, who can compare LA to Shanghai, culturally? I was comparing geography, how both Beijing and LA have mountain ranges that can trap pollution (an inversion layer). That's why LA has far worse smog than, say, San Francisco.
And I agree how LA and other Californians live well and are very eco-conscious. As a previous Californian, I am very proud of the relative environmental savvy of the West coast. Of course, as a San Franciscan, we rock compared to LA! 
Its time the Chinese get together and stop ruining the global environment by 2025 scientists say your water wont even reach the seas anymore meaning almost all your rare species out there will become extinct in your rivers. Common guys come together and hold some protests for new laws for environmental protection and stronger pollution regulations.
While Chinese sit back and pollute the environment in they're industrial age and wonder why famines are going on overseas why don't you guys just look at the picture above. Most famines are caused from pollution and environment instability. Not just in your country but your pollution could cause even a monsoon to not reach a country all the way around the world. The environment is not as stable as presumed.
I'm not saying the Chinese are bad its your government and it's lack of regulations that let the fat dogs sit back and shit on your ecosystem because its pumping more money into your economy. Americans have almost completely started a cultural movement to stop buying from products that say "made in china" because of all the pollution.
Take a look at New York
and read this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8301858.stm
If you love your country then take care of it. Remember the teachings of Buddha and how he said that mankind will only live as long as they take care of the earth.
And a comment to Dr. Richards please don't compare Los Angeles to Shanghai the culture down there for the ecosystem and nature is WAY different from shanghai they are so into preserving ecosystem and nature most of them are vegetarians. The culture is entirely different and so are the regulations on pollution. Please take that example out. You don't need to use Los Angeles as an example to blowing pollution the reason why its near the ocean is for the cool ocean breeze a ENTIRELY different reason. I know I lived there for 4 years. Otherwise GREAT ARTICLE! Good to get the problem in the light.
HOLD PROTESTS FOR STRONGER REGULATIONS SHOW CHINA'S GOVERNMENT THE PEOPLE DEMAND CHANGE! DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT! LEAD IT YOURSELF!