December 23, 2023
2 mins read

China’s Air Quality Declines, First Time in Decade

PM2.5 particles, if inhaled, can have serious health risks, linked to premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease…reports Asian Lite News

China’s air pollution worsened in 2023 for the first time in a decade. This is the first year since 2013 that China’s national average PM2.5 level has increased year-on-year, a report by research organisation the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed.

“2023 is the first year that China’s national average PM2.5 level has increased year-on-year since the beginning of China’s “war on pollution” in 2013. 80 per cent of the provincial capitals, including Beijing, have seen PM2.5 level increase on year,” the report stated.

PM2.5 particles, if inhaled, can have serious health risks, linked to premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease, as well as a host of breathing and other health issues, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The CREA based its findings on Chinese government data and a machine-learning algorithm that distinguished between the impact of weather and human emissions. CREA said that the overall increase in human-caused emissions, in addition to unfavorable weather conditions, has pushed the pollution level higher.

China’s air quality often remains below World Health Organization standards.

According to the report, nearly half of the capital cities that have not met the PM2.5 standard have improved air quality compared to the previous year, while all cities that comply with the standard have seen increases.

The rebound in pollution levels was due to both increases in emissions and more unfavourable weather conditions in 2023, compared with the previous year. This is seen using CREA’s deweathering algorithm, which disaggregates the impact of changes in weather conditions and changes in emissions.

The largest relative increases in PM2.5 pollution levels attributed to increases in emissions were in Lhasa (in Tibet), Tianjin and Jinan (in Shandong), at 18.2 per cent, 15.5 per cent and 11.7 per cent in the year, respectively.

The overall increase in human-caused emissions has pushed the pollution level higher, in addition to unfavourable weather conditions, the report said.

Coal production and thermal power production in areas where the PM2.5 standard was not met have increased by 4.4 per cent and 4.3 per cent, respectively, per year, indicating a larger use of fossil energy. Similar increases were also seen in the oil and metal industries. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Xi Warns Biden on Taiwan Reunification

Previous Story

Taiwan VP Frontrunner Says No War With China

Next Story

Despite Bail, Imran Khan to Stay Behind Bars

Latest from -Top News

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

India-EU Trade Deal Breakthrough Soon?

Negotiators report increased momentum in discussions, which have been given a boost from US President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive…reports Asian Lite News India and the European Union aim to finalise a trade

Europe Seeks Peace in Gaza

European countries condemn Israeli interception of Gaza-bound flotilla, demand safety of citizens…reports Asian Lite News Israel’s interception of an international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza has sparked condemnation across Europe, with

GAZA: Egypt to Host Peace Talks

Egypt hopes the discussions will help “end the war and the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people, which has continued for two consecutive years…reports Asian Lite News Egypt will host Israeli and

‘My Injuries Made Me’

During his four-year battle with injury, the incumbent fast bowling spearhead made occasional appearances but couldn’t bear the workload and demands of red-ball cricket….reports Asian Lite News England tearaway Jofra Archer believes
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Unease over Xi boosts security linkages within the Indo-Pacific

Xi has built around him a network of advisors who

Putin to attend Beijing Winter Olympics

Russian President’s remarks came as a growing number of countries