Bei-cology: Sydney's AQI Reaches Beijing Levels

For many Beijingers, Australia may seem like paradise. After all, we've all seen photos of the enchanting rustic outback, or the Opera House by a backdrop of crystal-clear water and sky.

However, that image is being tarnished by a new report that says the air quality of Sydney's east side was, astonishingly enough, worse than Beijing's yesterday, clocking in at an "unhealthy" AQI 101 compared to the Chinese capital's currently "moderate" 63.

That development might make many of us here on the Mainland instantly envision Hebei-style factories, churning out pollutants in gusts that eventually envelop its neighboring metropolis. But Sydney's air quality woes are, of course, completely different from that of Beijing's – Australia's most populous city is instead contending with raging suburban bush fires and the ensuing ashen plumes.

A local Sydney news report described conditions that will sound eerily familiar to Beijingers: "Those with heart and lung disease are warned not to exercise outdoors while the poor rating means no fires can be lit under the conditions."

Incessant droughts, climbing temperatures and every abundant bush fires have lead to intense climate change debates in Australia as of late, although in 2013 then Prime Minister Tony Abbott adamantly dismissed any claims that the blazes could be related to global warming.

Beijing, meanwhile, has finally been enjoying a sunnier outlook when it comes to air quality as of late, enjoying a 10 percent improvement throughout 2016's first three quarters. But we here in China shouldn't get too haughty just yet, seeing as Beijing's AQI jumped up to a very unhealthy 238 today, November 9, a total that more than doubles the 101 level that left so many in Sydney reeling.

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Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos: Yahoo 7 News, Michael Wester