In his book titled “China: Environmental Technologies Export Market Plan”, Eric Fredell talks about the qualities of the environment and makes a particular focus on the coal industry, its use, and the effects that it has on the surrounding nature and people.
Air pollution is already a problem in many countries and China is not an exception. China has developed many strategies to help reduce toxic air emissions and one of them is to promote and establish clean coal-burning technologies and implement them. The coal contains sulfur and ash and these must be removed to decrease the ecological footprint. China heavily relies on coal in almost every aspect of life, from residential, to public and industrial. The use of coal is increasing and the rise is considered in the near future. Fredell gives specific figures, such as the current 1.1 billion tons per year of coal burned, and mentions an increase in the usage, of up to 1.4 billion tons per year. The reasons that he offers for air pollution, are due to the fact that some other particles and materials are being burnt with coal, focusing on “highly polluting equipment from heavy industry, emissions of particulates, SO2 and NOx are extremely high” (Fredell 23). In comparison, Mark Jacobson writes about coal pollution in the book “Atmospheric Pollution: History, Science, and Regulation”. He gives figures, which are more specifically related to a particular number of cities and explains the polluting agents in terms that are better understood by the public. “China, itself, found that two-thirds of 338 cities in which the air is monitored are polluted. The two major pollutants in China are sulfur dioxide and soot, both emitted during coal burning” (Jacobson 235). It is also mentioned that China uses a large number of coal reserves in the world.
The only other countries ahead of coal usage are the United States and Russia. He gives specific explanations that the burning of polluting coal brings about acid deposition. This happens not only in China but in countries that are close by, Japan and South Korea. The wind takes the polluting agents to great distances and this makes the effects on the environment even worse.
When comparing the two sources, it is clearly evident that Mark Jacobson uses more specific and in-depth figures. He gives direct examples of where the coal is used by China—in particular, by industrial areas, boilers and furnaces. He states a figure that half of China’s oil is directed towards these particular needs. He also gives background information on what China has done and is presently doing to address the issue and the results that have been reached. At the same time, as compared to Eric Fredell, Mark Jacobson is general in the statistics. Fredell gives concrete numbers in the amounts of tons and millions of dollars spent on the protection of the environment. This was achieved through the installation of new, better suitable filters and other related technology. Both writers are addressing the same issue but in very distinct styles. There are no contradictions between them but the depth of knowledge and analysis differs. Eric Fredell is more specific and makes estimations direct and calculative.
Mark Jacobson paints a general picture but uses a style, which is more accessible by the general public and is comprehensive for people who are not familiar with the topic. Both styles are important and this proves that the usage of several sources creates a better perspective and understanding of the topic.
Works Cited
Fredell, Eric. China: Environmental Technologies Export Market Plan. Washington, United States: DIANE Publishing, 1996. Print.
Jacobson, Mark. Atmospheric Pollution: History, Science, and Regulation. New York, United States: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.