China Pollution Cause #1: Population Growth
As Chinese economy took off, Chinese standards of living and life became increasingly modernised. Citizens and businesses in the country were desperate to experience modern life. Factories and skyscrapers appeared instantly, while millions of used-to-be bicyclists began driving their first automobiles. The incredible new levels of productivity allowed more people than ever to afford to pollute just like the rest of the industrialized nations of the world. Now the country with the largest population is able to affect the environment just as we do, and it is using its record numbers of people to add record levels of pollution. [1]
China's Population:
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the first census was conducted in 1953 and the population count was 583 million. This was a swift increase of approximately 30% within 4 years due to the 2 main factors of a lower death rate overall coupled with a higher birth rate after the end of WWII and China's civil war. Later on another census was conducted in 1964, the population reached 695 which was almost an increase of 20% over 11 years. Though there was a significant increase, it was partially affected by the tragic famine of the Great Leap Forward(1958-1961). After five years, there was again a remarkable increase of around 15% to 800 million. [2]
Factors influencing China's Population Growth prior to 21st century/contemporary times:
1. Confucianism believed that many children meant more happiness and early children meant early happiness.
2. More children allowed more hands to work the fields in rural areas.
3. Chinese people wanted more sons as a financial insurance for support when they got old(there was no social welfare system at the time)
4. Chairman Mao Zedong encouraged giving birth to children/did not believe in birth control
[2]
Factors influencing China's Population Growth prior to 21st century/contemporary times:
1. Confucianism believed that many children meant more happiness and early children meant early happiness.
2. More children allowed more hands to work the fields in rural areas.
3. Chinese people wanted more sons as a financial insurance for support when they got old(there was no social welfare system at the time)
4. Chairman Mao Zedong encouraged giving birth to children/did not believe in birth control
[2]
Figure 1.0 [3]
|
Figure 1.0 on the left is a bar graph illustrating China's population from 2004-2014. reported by the National Bureau of Statistics of China.
The total population in China was last recorded at 1360.7 million people in 2013 from 552.0 million in 1950, an increase of 147% over the last 50 years. China's current population represents 19.48% of the world's total population, meaning that one in five people is a resident of China. |
Figure 1.1
Dense smog, comprised of various pollutants, settled over the North China Plain on Feb. 20, 2011. Scientists have calculated the relationship between pollution and urban population.
Image Credit: NASA Goddard's MODIS Rapid Response Team
[4]
From figure 2.2, NASA has demonstrated that the correlation between pollution and urban population vary by region. However in China's case, the relationship between air pollution and population is clearly evident through the factor increase of 4.6 of NO2(nitrogen dioxide, a common pollutant from the burning of fossil fuels) from NO2 in a city of 1 million(0.68) and 10 million(3.13). By comparing China's factor increase of 4.6 to U.S.'s 2.6, Europe's 2.9 and India's 2.3, we realise that there is a tremendous increase in the surface concentration of NO2 within cities in China of 10 million people. Lamsal said:
'"Energy usage patterns and per capita emissions differ greatly between India and Europe. Despite large populations, Indian cities seem cleaner in terms of NO2 pollution than the study's other regions." [4] Although Kathryn says: "The researchers say that further investigation is needed in order to clarify the causes behind the regional differences." [4] We can probably deduce that China is certainly not up to par with other regions in terms of ability to contain the issue of air quality effectively. |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA):
Figure 1.2
Scientists measured how the relationship between pollution and urban population varies by region.
Image Credit: NASA Goddard/Kathryn Hansen
[4]
|
Future Population?
Figure 1.3
United Nations. (2012). World Population 2012. Available: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/WPP2012_Wallchart.pdf. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014. [5]
From the world population projections provided by figure 1.3, we can only assume that China's air pollution will worsen if effective solutions are not implemented by the government or relevant environmental organisations. In 2050, China's population will be overtaken by India(1620 million). Nevertheless, China's air pollution will still be an important issue as the top 2 ranks are at least 3 times of Nigeria at rank 3. China's population would have declined as a result of lower average number of children per women. By 2100, Nigeria(914 million) would have closed the population gap with China(1086 million). China's gradual decline might be a result of lower fertility rates and air pollution. All in all, we should see the populations statistics as an urging incentive for China to take action.
References:
[1] James Ellis. (2008). Chinese Pollution. Available:
http://dailyreckoning.com/free-reports/chinese-pollution/. Last accessed 15th
Oct 2014.
[2] Don Tow. (2009). A Discussion of China’s Population Control Policy and Issues. Available: http://www.dontow.com/2009/06/a-discussion-of-chinas-population-control-policy-and-issues/. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[3] Trading Economics. (2014). China Population. Available: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/population. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[4] Kathryn Hansen. (2013). NASA Scientists Relate Urban Population to Air Pollution. Available: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-scientists-relate-urban-population-to-air-pollution/#.VE3nfvmUd8E. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[5] United Nations. (2012). World Population 2012. Available: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/WPP2012_Wallchart.pdf. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[2] Don Tow. (2009). A Discussion of China’s Population Control Policy and Issues. Available: http://www.dontow.com/2009/06/a-discussion-of-chinas-population-control-policy-and-issues/. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[3] Trading Economics. (2014). China Population. Available: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/population. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[4] Kathryn Hansen. (2013). NASA Scientists Relate Urban Population to Air Pollution. Available: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/nasa-scientists-relate-urban-population-to-air-pollution/#.VE3nfvmUd8E. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
[5] United Nations. (2012). World Population 2012. Available: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/WPP2012_Wallchart.pdf. Last accessed 15th Oct 2014.
