The Time For Working Together On Air Quality Is Now!

 

                                           Eastern China December 2013 (Photo: NASA)

                                                       by David Parmer

This week, Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao urged Japan and China to put aside their difference and find common ground in protecting the environment. Channel News Asia reported on Nakao’s remarks at the Asian Financial Forum meeting held in Hong Kong on 13-14 January 2014. Nakao said that Japan has much experience in dealing with its own pollution problems in the 1970s and 1980s  and could share such expertise. Recent political tensions, particularly the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands problem have overshadowed the environmental problems of the region, which in the long run could be far more devastating than increased territorial tensions.

One of the biggest causes of regional pollution is the burning of coal for energy. China is not alone here as Mongolia and The Republic of Korea also burn coal.

China has taken and continues to take measures to curb pollution which has reached record, “off the charts” levels in Beijing this year. Counter-measures include setting limits on the burning of coal, regulating automobile ownership and use, and clean energy plants. One of the more promising initiatives is the Chinese government’s requirements for the online reporting of air emissions, waste water and noise levels by major industries.

However there is real concern in Japan that air containing hazardous 2.5 fine particles could arrive there by spring 2015.

For the sake of peoples’ health, commerce and the sustainability of regional resources it is imperative that real cooperation among the stakeholders in the region take place as soon as possible, and that workable long-term solutions are planned and put into effect.