Nicole Hughes
August 8, 2008 |
12:41 pm EST
Everything I learned about pollution in Beijing, I learned on YouTube sort of. Sure I’ve read about it - but it’s one thing to peruse an article and it’s another to see rivers of toxic waste streaming out of a factory and killing all vegetation within a two-foot radius. Sadly, many people in China are forced to use this untreated toxic water for drinking and watering crops, and pollution has made cancer the number one cause of death in the country.
Government does little if anything to regulate factory emissions and waste, and in fact, Chinese environmental advocates live under constant fear of arrest. The video below is a startling first hand depiction of the social effects of pollution in China:
On a lighter, more satirical note, here’s the Onion’s take on pollution and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
takepart and read on about how 33% of all China’s emissions are a result of exports. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions between this and the importance of supporting local and sustainable businesses.
Related:
Join TakePart's community today!
Filed under:
Culture • Environment • Ethics • Global Health • Human Rights
Related Links:
2008 Olympic Games: Top 10 Stories from TakePart
Lacing Up for the Environment at the Beijing Olympics
Pollution in China Affecting 2008 Olympic Games Athletes
China Cuts Beijing Traffic in Half to Reduce Pollution Before Olympic Games
Gengen Genocide and Blow for Blow : Social Action + Cinema Videos of the Day
Tagged as:2008 Beijing • 2008 Beijing Olympics • 2008 Olympics • Beijing 2008 Olympics • Beijing Olympics • China olympics air pollution • China pollution Cancer • China pollution olympics • China toxic • Coca Cola Green • Olympics • olympics pollution • toxic waste • video China pollution • Youtube Beijing olympics • Youtube China • Youtube China Olympics
15 posts in the last 24 hours
