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In China’s Coal Country, a Ban Brings Blue Skies and Cold Homes
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"Defend blue sky and breathe together" says a painting on a brick wall in the coal producing region of Shanxi, northern China. China is finally acting seriously to impose strict environmental rules from the top. Old coal stoves are thrown into a dump as China shifts away from coal stoves to heat homes. So many new homes shifted to natural gas in Shanxi province. population 37 million, that demand overwhelmed natural gas supplies. Results are to be seen in cleaner air in Taiyuan, capital of the province and in Beijing itself.
President Xi's commitment to climate change accord reached in Paris is seen as firm in this report in the NYT. The head of the gas, coal and power markets division of the International Energy Agency, Mr. Peter Fraser, says that even though homes use only 6% of total coal used in China, the effects are disproportionately high because homes do not have any emission reduction mechanisms. Natural gas demand has increased by 16% in 2017 as provincial officials eager to meet the demands issued in Beijing to cut coal emissions even let some homes and schools go without heat in an early winter spell.
This extraordinary report shows how in cities in northeastern China the people welcome the change to natural gas and cleaner air. Even in coal country, in cities like Linfen population 4.4 million, the change is seen as people welcome the clean air and officials build natural gas connections to execute the plans issued in Beijing. In Beijing itself Greenpeace estimates show 54% reduction in PM 2.5, harmful particulate matter for breathing by 54%, a startling fact showing Beijing's determination and effectiveness of its actions. Natural gas is more expensive and citizens do not complain in neighboring provinces near Beijing because the state provides adequate subsidies to compensate people. Decrees are being enforced to avoid coal stove use with people knowing they could see action by authorites if reported.
Compare this to the problems of crop burning around New Delhi, in Haryana and Punjab provinces, and one can see that centralized control and direction has advantages when used in the right way for a good purpose and supported by people who want to breathe clean air.
China's investment in its electricity grid upgrade to ultrahigh voltage lines to reduce air pollution- 2012-2020
04/29/2010
China State Grid company is the main provider of power in China. Efforts to reduce pollution in cities include building ultra high voltage lines so that electricity generation plants which use coal can be located away from major cities. Plans envisage investment of $100 billion in new ultrahigh voltage lines for power transmission from distant locations where coal and gas are produced.
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Pollution and contamination of drinking water leading to a rise in cancer rates in Keyi's village and the story repeated across China. Indiscriminate construction of plants without careful planning for pollution consequences around residential areas leading to pollution and contamination of rivers and drinking water.
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China's standard is for 35 micrograms per cubic meter compared to the WHO standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter for airborne particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrograms in diameter in 24 hours. Only 4 cities out of 72 cities across China met the WHO standard in China for the first half of 2013, according to China's Environment Ministry. Pollution in cities like Harbin made the national and international news in the winter of 2013-2014. Prime minister Li Keqiang made tackling pollution a national top priority in 2014, as China moved away from a single minded focus on GDP growth.
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Washington Post 12/07/2015
Wall Street Journal 12/08/2015
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Paying Auditors for Honest Appraisals
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Tougher enforcement of environmental laws and targets for reducing coal use in northern China by the Jinping-Li Keqiang administration
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New York Times 12/16/2015
In China’s Coal Country, a Ban Brings Blue Skies and Cold Homes
The New York Times 02/10/2018
Coal isn’t safe even its two big growth markets – India and China | Opinion
https://www.hindustantimes.com/ 06/15/2018
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