by Jorge Chapa
The Chinese government has announced plans to ban 1 million vehicles from the streets of Beijing beginning July 20th. The intention is to reduce the city’s air pollution in time for the 2008 Olympic Games, which start August 8th. China has also announced that fuel prices will be raised by 18 per cent. While the two news stories are distinct from one another, both have the potential to take cars off the road and, perhaps, allow athletes to breathe a little easier at this year’s summer games.
China’s incredible growth and increasing energy demands are commonly known. The pollution in the city of Beijing just relays the environmental issues around the country’s fast-paced development. With the Olympics right around the corner, the Chinese government is well aware that the one thing that can destroy all their best laid plans is the heavy smog common in Beijing.
Already a large number of athletes are severely concerned about how competing in the Olympics will harm their health and chances at winning. The Australian track and field team, and the Canadian athletics team are skipping the opening ceremony due to concerns about pollution.
The million car ban will include 70% of all government and state-run vehicles. China’s government probably hopes that the recent increase in domestic fuel prices will dissuade drivers during the summer and slow down China’s hunger for new vehicles, though that seems unlikely. If there’s one lesson that China should take from this, it is that unfettered demand for oil consuming vehicles brings serious consequences that cannot easily be solved.
+ Beijing to Impose Odd-Even Car Ban During Olympics
+ China shocks with 18 percent fuel price rise
+ Oil price rise sparks mixed reaction
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