Home / Environment / News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
Beijing air quality getting better, but more needs to be done
Adjust font size:

Two-thirds of Beijing residents think the city's air quality is getting better, a survey by Gallup, whose results were published on Monday, said.

Sixty-six percent of the more than 4,000 people polled last year, said air quality had improved, compared with just 53 percent of a similar group questioned in 2006.

Gallup's website mentioned the fact that some Olympic athletes had cited air quality concerns as a reason for possibly skipping some events this summer. However, it also quoted the International Olympic Committee's top medical official, Arne Ljungqvist, as saying that while pollution could affect athletes' performance, the levels posed no serious danger to them.

Beijing authorities have been keen to improve air quality by the Olympic year. In a bid to meet World Health Organization air pollution standards and live up to its "Green Olympics'" promises, the city implemented new vehicle emissions standards - equivalent to those applied by the European Union - on March 1, and from July, the number of cars allowed on the city's streets will be reduced.

According to a blue paper on public services and development published in January by the Social Sciences Academic Press, Beijing has enjoyed success in reducing air pollution caused by industry. But to achieve further progress, authorities must now focus on curbing air pollution generated in areas surrounding the capital, an academic has said.

Zhu Tong, a professor with Peking University, said: "In the long run, having cleaner air in surrounding areas is essential to improving Beijing's air quality."

Also, the controls on vehicle emissions must be tightened, as these are "the top source of air pollution", he said.

"People should be encouraged to drive less and use public transport," Zhu said, adding authorities should develop more clean energy sources.

(China Daily April 3, 2008)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous

China Archives
Related >>
- Beijing seesd more blue sky days in Q1
- IOC: Beijing air quality not to harm athletes
- Beijing targets dust pollution from construction sites
- Beijing, neighboring areas ensure air quality for Olympics
- Beijing Needs Clear Sky 21 Days A Month
Most Viewed >>
- Ancient tree proves it's still got what it takes
- Blue sheep problem has conservationists bleat
- Severe drought threatens crops in NE China
- Panda cub's first outdoor appearance in Vienna
- 17 in hospital, nearly 100 evacuated after acid leak
Air Quality 
Cities Major Pollutant Air Quality Level
Beijing particulate matter II
Shanghai particulate matter II
Guangzhou particulate matter I
Chongqing particulate matter I
Xi'an particulate matter II
NGO Events Calendar Tips
- Hand in hand to protect endangered animals and plants
- Changchun, Mini-marathon Aimed at Protecting Siberian Tiger
- Water Walk by Nature University
- Green Earth Documentary Salon
- Prof. Maria E. Fernandez to Give a Lecture on Climate Change
More
Archives
UN meets on climate change
The UN Climate Change Conference brought together representatives of over 180 countries and observers from various organizations.
Panda Facts
A record 28 panda cubs born via artificial insemination have survived in 2006.
South China Karst
Rich and unique karst landforms located in south China display exceptional natural beauty.
Saving the Tibetan Antelopes
The rare animals survive in the harsh natural environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
More
Laws & Regulations
- Forestry Law of the People's Republic of China
- Meteorology Law of the People's Republic of China
- Fire Control Law of the People's Republic of China
- Law on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters
- Law of the People's Republic of China on Conserving Energy
More
Links:
State Environmental Protection Administration
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Land and Resources
China Environmental Industry Network
Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base