More action needed to clean up air pollution
The causes of the dreadful pollution in Beijing are well known, such as the exhaust emissions from the millions of vehicles in the capital.
Also, more fossil fuels are burned in the winter as residents try to keep warm. This pollution is disrupting the lives of all citizens when a high smog alert signal is in force. Most outdoor activities are halted and schools are closed.
Closing a school for a few days is a short-term effect of the city’s pollution. I am more concerned with long-term threats to these children, such as respiratory and heart diseases which are becoming more common in Beijing. If no action is taken to clean up the air the government’s medical costs will soar.
The authorities should offer substantial discounts to residents on public transport systems, to persuade more people not to drive cars. A discount system would be easy to implement and officials can consult the MTR Corporation which has a variety of discounts. People would have to travel a minimum number of times before the cheaper fare kicked in.
Also, tough restrictions have to be imposed on private cars allowed onto the roads with, for example, drivers only allowed into designated zones three days a week. Programmes restricting cars are already up and running in some mainland cities.
Yuen Ka-ki, Yau Yat Chuen