Olympics and Pollution
August 9th, 2007
Submitted By: Lindsay Yoshitomi
Today, August 8th, begins the one year count down until the Beijing Olympics. The Chinese celebrated with massive firework displays in Tiananmen Square. After our trip, anything related to China catches my eye … an article in a magazine, a report on the news, etc.
I happened to see the news today, and thought I’d share what was reported in case you missed it. With the Olympics around the corner, there have been raised concerns about the pollution and air quality in Beijing. There is worry that the air quality will affect the athletes’ ability to compete. A few measures have been set to help decrease the pollution.
Three months before the Olympics, all industry production will be halted, to decrease the pollutants being emitted into the air. This is a procedure China does whenever important diplomats are scheduled to visit. Another measure set is the planned decrease in car usage. China plans to reduce one third of the cars driving around Beijing during these three months as well. Still, if during the games the air quality is not conducive for competition, the outdoor games will be delayed. I wonder if China will be able to significantly reduce the pollution, and how game delays will affect the Olympics. Any thoughts?
5 Comments Add your own
1. Chris Carr | August 9th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Great to see a post-trip post submitted by one of our students!
Many of these “let’s clean up the pollution for the Olympics” activities are things it seems the Beijing can control and I suspect they will pull it off. E.g., keep cars of the streets, shut down factories in and near Beijing, etc.
But their ability and political willingness to shut down some of the factories in the neighboring provinces whose pollution blows into Beijing and contributes to this massive problem?
That seems like one of the major wild cards to me.
2. Katie Hofman | August 9th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Along the Olympics train of thought- I read a relatively good summarization of what China plans on doing in preparation for the Olympics. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-08-05-Beijing_N.htm?csp=34 One of the most interesting points of the article was about security and how the Chinese are not expecting to spend huge amounts on security (especially in contrast to the amounts spent in Athens). The reasoning behind this is that the political state of China would not allow for terrorists and that the government will not tolerate any protesting, threatening or general rabble-rousing. It reminded me of what David told us in Guangzhou about how it was relatively safe for Western travelers because the Chinese government imposes such harsh punishments for those who do harm travelers.
As for China’s ability to meet their goals. From everything I have seen and read- it looks like they are well on their way. I’ll be interested to see if these Olympics end up being the debutante introduction to the world that Beijing is hoping it will be. And, I will be very curious to see if there are any ramifications with shutting down factories and displacing so many citizens.
3. Erik | August 10th, 2007 at 6:38 am
I find it interesting that the Chinese gov’t feels secure because they won’t tolerate protesting, and general rabble-rousing. I’ve never been a suicide bomber before, but it would seem to me that if I were one, I wouldn’t care too much about the punishment I’d receive from the Chinese gov’t after doing a suicide bombing. I’d be too busy picking up my virgins for my “good work”.
4. Mike | August 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
It seems like everyone it talking about the 1 year countdown mark until the olympics. Ive read articles in ESPN, CNN, NY Times, everyone.
Greetings Chris.
5. Chris Carr | August 11th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Mike, Eric and Katie,
Thanks for checking in.
Yes, there’s lots now coming out in the press re the Olympics.
Willl be interesting to see how it picks up even more at next August gets closer, and what the journalists from various countries focus on. Let’s all stay tuned …
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