Comments Christina Larson has made

  • Close Read


    Wait, before we smile too soon: The article didn't announce any action by the Chinese government, but rather the "forecast" of a Chinese environmentalist. That's a different category of "news." The Independent's original headline is misleading.

    But no doubt about it, the whole world is calling for the U.S. to show more leadership on global warming.
     

    Christina Larson

    On China is prepared to make a climate deal posted 2 years ago 3 Responses

  • Patrick,

    I'm actually working now on a series of profiles of Chinese environmentalists, trying to bring their voices into the conversation. (That's why I was in Beijing.)  Of course, they have different viewpoints. But the common strand is that the Chinese government has passed some important recent laws that, in theory, allow greater space for public participation on environmental protection -- the Environmental Impact Assessment law, etc. But these laws aren't always well-enforced. So almost all the Chinese environmentalists I spoke mentioned both things they would give the government credit for, and their continuing frustrations. Within China, there are both "good guys" and "bad guys" on environmental issues. "China" is just a country. However, that's what fits in the headlines.

    Christina Larson

    On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 2 years ago 19 Responses

  • Reply to Joujou

    Hi Joujou,

    Thanks for your feedback. If you look at my comments, I agree with the point that "Beijing is trying to come to grips with the number of new cars entering the system each day." As I said, I spoke to Chinese officials charged with doing exactly that. I'm not sure what article you're referring to, but in nearly everything I've written about China's environment, I made a special point to give China's leaders their due in this regard. Including this blog post. Trying isn't always the same as suceeding, but no doubt some efforts are being made, at least in Beijing.

    On some fronts progress has been made, but there are still a lot of hazy days. That's not meant as an accusation, but a simple observation. The city faces tough choices, especially given its unlucky geography (location in a basin) and rapidly expanding population.

    I stand by the statement that Beijing has, now and in the past, shown an uncanny ability to clean up ahead of major national and international events. I'm talking about air quality, as well as street venders, cigarette butts on sidewalks, etc. People who have lived in Beijing for decades have many stories about this.

    I don't think we disagree on any fundamental points.

    One thing I've realized, however, is that many folks are so by now so accustomed to dialogues about China being quite polarized -- either strongly condemning or urgently defending the country -- that even observations that aren't meant to do either are often taken to mean one thing or another. As for me: after talking to dozens of Chinese officials, environmentalists, and citizens, in several Chinese cities, my own viewpoint is somewhere in the middle.

    Christina Larson

    On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 2 years ago 19 Responses

  • Reply to Patrick

    Patrick,

    Hi. Thanks for your comments. I was commenting on what a difference there is between hazy days and blue skies days in Beijing, not purporting to many any statement about what it is "like all the time." And I wanted to pay your city a compliment for how lovely it is when the sky is clear and the weather nice.

    While in Beijing, which I've visited in five months this year, I've seen a range of conditions and also spoken to many longtime residents about the air quality. I've heard that there has been a noticable improvement since several of the large factories were moved outside the city, but also that the air quality has again been getting worse as the number of cars on the roads multiply. The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau confirmed this as well.

    I also heard, from both experts and longtime residents, that the air quality improves dramatically during the two "Golden Week" shopping holidays (when factories close and there's less traffic on the roads) and around major events, such as the Party Congress. Indeed, I experienced a difference between the days of the conference and the days following. This is not to say that there aren't other fine days in Beijing, such as the days in August you mentioned, when wind direction and other factors help to bring bluer skies. As you mention, the city's location in a basin is an obstacle that "helps keep pollution trapped a lot of the time."

    Beijing is a fascinating historic city that you have a right to be proud of, and I certainly don't mean to imply otherwise.

    Christina Larson

    On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 2 years ago 19 Responses

  • Not alone

    NoOlympics: Yep, it's bad. Promise you'll hear more on this.

    I met a woman who used to be in Hong Kong legislature who now heads nonprofit there that works on green issues: Christine Loh. You may have helpful information for each other?
    http://www.civic-exchange.org/index.php?cat=43

    Christina Larson

    On It's about more than money posted 2 years, 5 months ago 12 Responses

  • Chaotic

    NoOlympics: Your examples of Beijing's edicts being flouted by local governments are good ones. So are your reasons why this can happen. Corruption is endemic; incentives awry; oversight nil. What this adds up to, though, is not an iron fist. More often than not, the result is chaos. Whether it's chaos due to ideology, corruption, or incompetence, it's nonetheless chaotic. Think Britney and K-Fed.

    Sammie: So true. Even if the system is flawed, there are many Chinese officials sincerely trying to figure out how to do a better job, and quite eager to learn from American advisors. (I met folks in China who ran laps around my knowledge of our EPA's Toxic Release Inventory.) Many of the most progressive officials happen to be working in environmental bureaus, talking not only about emissions control but information disclosure (!). It's an uphill battle, with imperfect instruments and bureaucratic landmines, but there are reformers.

    -- Christina

    Christina Larson

    On It's about more than money posted 2 years, 5 months ago 12 Responses