Ghulam Hasnain

EnviornmePollution in Beijing 1.0 Introduction China has been suffering from air pollution having the worst index in air pollution worldwide. Air pollution has evolved to be a serious issue faced by people in China. Thousands of people including city-dwellers die every year due to the impacts caused by air pollution. Air pollution has become one of the main environmental issues in China due to the increased consumption of fossil fuels. The Chinese government may need to cope in the upcoming decades to improve the quality of the environment (Wang, Zhang, Pilot, & Yang, 2018). 2.0 Air pollution in Beijing Beijing is the capital of China that has underwent the rapid development of urbanization, industrialization, and motorization. As a result, Beijing’s energy consumption is increasing rapidly causing a rise in multiple pollutant emissions which has multiple adverse impacts on human health, air quality, and the eco-environment (Zhang, et al., 2015). Many people suffer from different diseases and become ill due to toxic air pollutants. Environmental pollution-related problems also include dust that is responsible to reduces visibility in city streets and cause the crops to suffer from a lack of direct sunlight due to high dust concentration in the air and also causes increased exposure to ground-level ozone. In 2013, fossil fuel consumption from coal and oil was calculated to be higher than 88% out of total energy consumption in China according to the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics. One of the leading challenges the fossil fuel consumption for energy production causing the emission of anthropogenic air pollutants in China. 3.0 Causes of Air pollution in Beijing Beijing is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Being a highly populous city in the world, there are many cars and other automobiles in China which is the major driver of air pollution. The increased concentration of air pollution in the air is not only due to traffic jams but also due to poor quality of fuel. Using motorcycles as the main means of transportation in the city, pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, particular matter (OM10) and sulfur oxide which is leading contributor to decrease quality of environment (Zhang, et al., 2015). Burning coal as indoor cooking and heating practices contaminates indoor air that harmfully affects child ad fetal growth. Industrialization is progressing rapidly with the development of the gross national product by nearly 10 percent each year. China is still applying obsolete and inefficient technologies such as carbon-intensive practices in many factories and industries due to which the air quality is worsening. A rising number of coal-fired power plant construction projects are being built without the approval of the government. The greatest level of air pollution recorded in China was referred to as "hazardous," and it is also the highest point on the Air Quality Index (AQI) (Kan, 2009). 4.0 Negative Impacts of Air pollution in Beijing Air pollution is also impeding economic growth in China. Every year, Environment accidents and damages cost the country tons of dollars. Additionally, it is causing various harmful impacts in China. Considering the consequences of Air pollution in Beijing, health is one of the apparent consequences. Temporary exposure to air pollutants is also associated with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) as well as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, respiratory disease, and high morbidity. Based on the findings of the Berkeley Earth Project, more than 90 percent of Chinese citizens are exposed to nearly 120 hours of unhealthy air quality that give rise to adverse long-term wellbeing effects. In China, nearly 300,000 deaths are caused due to air pollution and more than 20 million cases are identified with respiratory illness (Levin, 2015). Chinese agriculture is also affected adversely due to Carbon emissions and other harmful pollutants because China's cultivated land is largely polluted with contaminated water and a large area of land has been destroyed or covered by solid waste as well as tons of food grain are polluted by heavy metals every year. 5.0 Evaluation of the Air pollution Beijing implemented an intensified air pollution control program from last 20 years through series of the measurement in terms of the coal-fired pollution control, optimization of energy infrastructure and vehicles emission control system in the city and successfully reduced the air pollution. The city recorded the lowest air pollution in 2019 with the lowest 23µg/m³. The major reason for the air pollution in Beijing is the shift of energy sources from coal to natural gas in the powerhouses and the production of the largest electric vehicles and usage by the people under the effort of the government in the renewable resources. In 1998, Beijing declared an emergency on air pollution which has improved the air quality and the city is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Though, the struggle of 20 years Beijing won the battle of air pollution with a decade of trial, hard work, and the significant improvement of the city air quality. The effort and the steps taken by the local government in reducing the air pollution help to reduce the air pollution fell by 35% in 2017 and also have impressively improved the air quality in the shortest period. (Ccacolaition, 2019) 6.0 Ethical theories Ontology Theory The neutrality in the general study of real things comes under the ontology (Britannica, 2020). This theory tells that the population of the Beijing if agree to work in reducing the air pollution in the city they can reduce the air pollution while following the strict rule agreeing upon them and following the air quality standard while creating awareness among the citizen and collectively work on the reduction of the air pollution. The theory tells us that through understanding the general view of the public in considering the impact of the air pollution, the citizen get together and work for the improvement in the air quality of the city following the same pattern of reduction in the air pollution. The city have big population and have growth in the population as well while considering the population growth they have to agree on the general application of the air pollution reduction tactics to improve the air quality in the city. The application of the ontology theory is agreeing on the application of the general ideas and implementing the idea of reducing the air pollution in the city by the collective effort of the people of Beijing. Through collective effort and support the people can reduce the air pollution in the city. 4.2 Deontological theory Deontological ethics is also termed as Duty-based theory of ethics. Deontological theory of ethics was introduced by Immanuel Kant in the 18th century. The theory suggests that there are few behaviors and acts that are considered right or wrong due to the type of action they are instead of the consequences they cause. People need to act accordingly irrespective of the good or bad outcomes that originate from these acts (Staveren, 2007). Deontological theory suggests that humans must act in a manner that is deemed acceptable and rational and the obligation or duty of these actions is due to several positive implications of the actions on the environment. Based on this ethical theory, every person regardless of his/her opinion and individual view regarding the duty is obliged to preserve, guard and improve the environment. Therefore, individuals must participate in activities that lead to the sustainable development of the environment and inhibit adverse impacts. Moreover, these acts may or may not be enjoyable or desirable to the individual, but they must have intrinsic value and motivation for good and aspiration for the overall wellbeing of the community and environment. 4.3 Utilitarian theory The utilitarian theory was proposed by British philosophers, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 18th century. According to this idea, the ethical value of any action is solely determined by its repercussions and the positive or negative effects it has on community members. This theory maintains that an activity's moral worth should be assessed only by its impact on general utility, which is defined as universal pleasure or happiness (Ikegbu & Enyimba, 2020). Happiness and pleasure are positively valued variables in utilitarianism, whereas suffering is a negatively valued aspect. Utilitarianism is a concept based on two elements, the consequentialist and the hedonist. Hence, the rightness or wrongness of an action is identified by the outcomes that flow from it; and what is considered right and acceptable by pleasure (happiness), and the acts that are deemed incorrect and wrong characterized by unfavorable outcomes leading to pain and suffering (unhappiness). Consequentialism decides the value of an act based on its causal properties whereas hedonism contemplates happiness to be the only goal to be pursued (Carr, 1992). The utilitarian ethical theory is based on the outcomes of actions. In term of environment pollution, the impacts caused by environmental pollution is toxic and unpleasant and is responsible for causing many diseases around the world. Hence, the theory suggests, the individuals must refrain from the activities that contribute to environmental pollution. Much of environmental legislation has been seen as being guided by the need to promote the happiness and welfare of man. In the context of the environment, it is the responsibility of humans to engage in the practices that promote overall happiness and the betterment of society by practicing environment-friendly practices. 7.0 Recommendation 7.1 Introduction of Renewable energy resources Through the promotion of renewable energy for the industries and the companies to adopt renewable energy in their production lines and the vehicles can reduce the air pollution in Beijing. Promoting the use of renewable sources instead of traditional coal-based energy sources. photovoltaic, and windmills generate electricity without emitting any pollutants into the atmosphere. As the total emissions released from geothermal biofuel resources are lower than the pollutants produced by coal and fossil fuel power plants (Kan, 2009). The overall emission control system must be reformed and maintained. For principal pollutants, coal consumption, and CO2 emissions, research and build a comprehensive overall emission control system. Investigate and develop complete emission control systems based upon every region's environmental fuel capacity at the regional, and sectoral levels. The prevention approach in population in order to reduce and eliminate the air pollution must be considered while using the less toxic material and the fuels in the industrial process and also improving the efficiency of the industries. 7.2 Solving the population Growth The huge growth in the population of the city is also the major reason for the air pollution in the city. Using international public involvement and multi-stakeholder governance models, build and execute systems for public engagement, information disclosure, and environmental lawsuits. To ensure effective enforcement of environmental protection institutions, develop a clear and public environmental information reporting and disclosure system. Enhance the legal system's obligation and competence to examine environmental infractions that result in human health-related issues caused by pollution. 7.3 Solving the coal industries Problem China's inhabitants depend on coal for about three-quarters of their power needs, consuming about 2 billion tons of coal per year. One of the major problems causing the rise in China’s pollution problems is increased coal production and high coal consumption. China, being the world’s biggest coal producer and contributing to half of global consumption (Yan, 2016). Another important cause of air pollution is residents' usage of solid fuels for cooking and heating, which contributes to indoor pollution. As coal, timber, and coal are burnt in indoor cooking practices, they produce dangerous practices. Despite rising urbanization, over one-third of Chinese households still utilize solid fuels for cooking (Millman, Tang, & Perera, 2018). Through solving the problem in the coal industries, air quality control in the coal industries also leads to increase the air quality and reduce the air pollution in the city. As Beijing is the one of the main hub for the industries as causes for the air pollution in the city. 7.4 Promoting e-mobility in the city The introduction of the electric vehicles can also improve the air quality in the cities while replacing the petroleum usage in the vehicles. The hybrid vehicles will help to reduce the air pollution while following the standard rule of the e mobility if the local government in Beijing takes responsibility of the e-mobility implementation in the city. Through replacing the gasoline and the diesel engine with batteries, the air quality can be improved. The promotion of the e-mobility result in the reduction of the dependence on the oils which lead to decrease in the emission of the C02 which result in the increase in the air quality. The electric vehicles produce zero emission of C02, which help to improve the air quality than the conventional vehicles.