Environmental Consequences of Using Nonrenewable Resources in Beijing: Air Pollution
There have been instances where air pollution warnings have been issued for up to 7 days at a time in Beijing, a hindrance to day-to-day life and associated with health risks in the long term (Wang & Liu, 2014, p. 1266).
In addition to being a hindrance, harsh elements that are released into the air during coal burning are connected with health risks such as
- endemic fluorosis
- arsenism
- selenosis
- lung cancer
- adverse effects on child development (Chen et al., 2014, p. 739)
Beijing has reached a critical point in which irreversible damage has been sustained and air pollution is severely threatening quality of life, and the extent of China’s damaging practices is felt globally. Environments around the world are being damaged not only by the usage outcomes of nonrenewable resources, but also by the global sourcing of resources for China’s use.
Bibliography:
Chen, J., Liu, G., Kang, Y., Wu, B., Sun, R., Zhou, C., & Wu, D. (2014). “Coal utilization in China: environmental impacts and human health.” Environmental Geochemistry & Health, 36, 735-753. doi: 10.1007/s10653-013-9592-1.
Wang, K., & Liu, Y. (2014). Can Beijing fight with haze? Lessons can be learned from London and Los Angeles. Natural Hazards, 72, 1265-1274. doi: 10.1007/s11069-014-1069-8