Heavy Pollution Hitting China This Winter

By Tye Donaldson

Not only is this winter going to be the coldest since 2012, it’s also going to be very smoggy.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has warned that there will be more polluted days this upcoming winter than last year, but that the severity of the pollution won't be as bad.

Cities across China are being told to prepare for heavy air pollution during the winter, with the Ministry urging them to properly implement emergency procedures during smog attacks. The Ministry is also closely monitoring eight cites to ensure emergency measures are properly carried out. Three of those cities — Shijiazhuang, Tangshan, and Baoding —  are all located in Hebei. Last year, Hebei failed to get their local companies to meet emission goals during severe pollution.

La Niña, a reoccurring weather phenomenon that causes cooler than average sea surface temperatures, is to blame for this year’s chilly winter forecast. One of the biggest reasons for increased air pollution during the winter is the burning of more coal.

Last year was the first time China ever had to issue red alerts in Beijing because of air pollution.

[Image via Vosizneias]

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