2009 Oct 11 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.
Eclipse
Re: Beijing vs Shanghai – Whose Air is Worse?
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 sh*t 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!
danedwards
Re: Beijing vs Shanghai – Whose Air is Worse?
Hi Eclipse,
I don't think Dr Richard was saying LA and Beijing are the same in all respects, simply that pollution gets trapped over the two cities for similar geographical reasons.
Register and post your own events on the beijinger website.
rstcyrmd
Re: Beijing vs Shanghai – Whose Air is Worse?
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!
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Richard Saint Cyr MD
MyHealthBeijing.com -- a family doctor's guide to wellness in Beijing
Eclipse
Re: Beijing vs Shanghai – Whose Air is Worse?
Great job at bringing a voice about awareness to the pollution Dan =] 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.