Introduction
Air pollution has been an area of concern for many nations around the world. Release of harmful emissions into the atmosphere has greatly affected the lives of many across nations. This issue has attracted the attention of many in an effort to come up with lasting solutions.
According to Archer (2007), air pollution is threatening the existence of nature as the poisonous gases affect the ozone layer and other environmental factors.
This scholar says that if not addressed in a proper manner, air pollution can have serious negative consequences that may be difficult to reverse.
China and the United States of America have adversely been mentioned to be the leading polluters of the atmosphere. China leads other countries in the world in emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This country has experienced a massive growth of the economy.
It has also seen a massive increase in the number of manufacturing firms within its borders. The cheap skilled labor in the country has attracted attention of many scholars, especially coupled with the large population which also acts as a market for this firm.
However, the main question that has always been asked is whether China’s pollution is unique or not. This question forms the basis of this research.
The researcher seeks to refute the claim that, “although china has high air pollution, there are other countries that should be looked at and that China’s air pollution is not unique”
China’s Air Pollution is Unique
This above statement is controversial as it is irresponsible. According to Alexandria (2007), China is the leading polluter of the environment. The recent statistics indicate that the gap between the level of pollution by China and that the United States is widening.
The level of gas emissions given by China far outweighs that of the entire African continent. There are a series of protocols organized by countries around the world to fight air pollution, and in every meeting, complaints have always been made against China for its sharp rise in air pollution.
Of note has been the Kyoto protocol. The Kyoto protocol proposed that all countries around the world should consider cutting the emission of greenhouse gases into the air. Of note was China which was identified to be increasing its level emission of greenhouse gases.
Saying that the focus should be shifted to other countries other than China is making an irresponsible statement.
There are numerous other countries that have also been faulted alongside china as being large polluters of air (Ochino, 2012). There are those countries that have focused on production of nuclear energy such as Iran.
Scientists have stated that such countries may put the world to a risk should such projects have problems. It is true that these countries may put the world into a risk should such projects break down.
It is true that attention should be given to such countries with the aim of ensuring that the environment is protected from a possible destruction by such unfortunate incidents. However, the focus should not be lost.
The focus should not be diverted from the main source of environmental pollution in the world. An excuse should not be found to make the world believe that China’s case should be set aside for other cases in other countries. Such attempt would be defeating war against this vice of air pollution.
It is true that China’s air pollution is unique. China has had a consistent increase in the number of industries over the past few decades. Within the past five years, China has overtaken the United States and Japan in the emission of poisonous gases into the environment (Houghton, 2004).
This is besides the attempt that environmentalists have made to advise the leading manufacturing countries to cut down on their emission of greenhouse gases.
For a long time, The Green Belt Movement has mentioned the fact that China is emitting greenhouse gases at a rate that may put the world into jeopardy in a near future.
There have been recommendations for this government, and many others to cut down on the levels of greenhouse gases into the environment as a joint effort against air pollution.
However, the response made by this government is not only annoying, but also a clear indication that China is not ready to heed the call for reduced air pollution and a cleaner air around the world.
Conclusion
It is unique that even after realizing some of the negative consequences that their actions may cause, this country has not made a move to ensure that it reduces its greenhouse gases.
It is unique that instead of responding positively to the call of reduction of greenhouse gas emission, this country is still increasing its greenhouse gas emission.
China still remains the leading air polluter in the world. Any fight against air pollution should always start with this country. Giving focus to another country under whichever excuse will be defeating the war against air pollution.
References
Alexandria, K. (2007). The Rise in Global Warming Effects in North America. New York: Cengage.
Archer, D. (2007). Global warming: Understanding the forecast. Malden: Blackwell Pub.
Houghton, J. T. (2004). Global warming: The complete briefing. Cambridge: Cambridge University.
Ochino, G. (2012). Environmental watch. New Delhi: Kwato Publishers.