MCLC: new air pollution monitoring rules

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: kirk (denton.2 at osu.edu)
Subject: new air pollution monitoring rules
***********************************************************

Source: The Guardian (3/1/12):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/01/china-air-pollution-tough-rules

China combats air pollution with tough monitoring rules
State media acknowledge role of online environmental activists in forcing
government to act on poor air quality in cities
By Mary Hennock in Beijing

Chinese authorities have set tougher rules to combat air pollution by
ordering all major cities to monitor tiny particles that do serious damage
to health. One of China's leading environmental activists, Ma Jun, greeted
the change as a major step forward.

Surprisingly, given China's strict control of the internet, state media
have acknowledged the change is partly in response to online environmental
campaigners.

The national air quality rules were agreed at an executive meeting of the
state council presided over by the premier, Wen Jiabao, on 1 March, a
statement on its website said.

They order stricter air pollution monitoring standards this year in the
mega-cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin, 27 provincial
capitals, and three key industrial belts: the Yangtze and Pearl river
deltas, and Beijing's hinterland. Another 113 cities must adopt new
standards next year, and all but the smallest cities by 2015.

To "help allay public concern over official air quality readings", levels
of ozone and PM2.5 particles must be included. PM2.5 particulate matter is
below 2.5 micrometres in diameter, or 1/30th the width of an average human
hair, and easily penetrates lung tissue.

"This is a major step forward in terms of China's process to combat urban
air pollution," said Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and
Environmental Affairs. "The prerequisite for mobilising our people is to
let them know what is going on.

"It doesn't mean that the sky will turn blue automatically because at the
end of the day we still need to cut off these emissions."

Following the announcement, more than a million ­ mostly positive ­
comments were posted on the Weibo micro-blogging service in under 24
hours. "Good news, applause," wrote Xu Xiaonian, a prominent economist.
Others questioned whether the rules would be enforced.

In January, Beijing's environmental agency included PM2.5 particles in its
calculations after months of postings from netizens mocking the
discrepancy between officially clear days and the dense smog at their
windows. Ma said social media had played an essential role in changing
government policy last year.

State media also acknowledged the role of bloggers: "A stirring campaign
on the country's social network websites since last autumn seemed to have
gained a satisfying response from the country's policymakers," Xinhua news
agency said.