What is the real forecast of Chinese Environmental issue?
Regarding the prediction of the upcoming combat on environmental issues, different parties and different experts hold various opinions. Some experts doubt Chinese government’ ability on combating environmental pollution. On other hand, some claim that the Chinese government will reach its goal and eliminating pollution. The controversy is mainly caused by the American and the Chinese experts.
James Lents, a famous environmental expert from the United States, believes that China is incapable of solving the air pollution problem. Regardless the data shown recently about the Chinese air pollution is decreasing, Lents still believes there are numerous concerns and issues. Lack of planning and lack of government enforcement are the biggest concerns James have. He claims, “Los Angeles developed a plan, we understood what the emissions were, what caused them and what would be the best way to reduce them. I do not often see a plan that for the (mainland cities.” As a representative of American experts, Lents believed the policies combating air pollution in China is failing and unsustainable in a long run. On the contrary, experts in China disagree with Lents.
Activists in China believe that Chinese government is not making a temporary change. Dong Liansai, one of the Greenpeace East Asia energy and climate campaigner, informed the Wall Street Journal, “the bump in clean air doesn’t appear to be just a blip, citing the implementation of more aggressive government standards on emissions and efforts to shutter its dirtiest factories, as well as the government’s 2013 air pollution control plan.” Dong acknowledges government’s rigorous regulation on the factories problems now as well as having a optimistic prediction about the future of China. Another Greenpeace East Asia campaigner Li Shuo claims, “What we’re seeing now is an entirely new administration with an entirely different outlook on climate change.” Li states the change of policies is due to new administration under Xi is making a sustainable and more eco-friendly change in China.
These two groups have opposite view regarding the Chinese pollution. In comparison of an American expert James Lents and two activists Dong Liansai and and Li Shuo, the activists have a more optimistic point of view. To testify who is right or wrong, only the future can verify their prediction.
Works Cited
Eleanor Albert, Online Writer/Editor, and Beina Xu. "China's Environmental Crisis." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 18 Jan. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
HANRAHAN, MARK HANRAHAN. China Air Pollution: US Expert Doubts Country Will Be Able To Curb Rampant Smog. IBTIMES, 26 July 2015. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
