Beijing

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Case Study: Beijing
Beijing, the capital of China, is located between two rivers on the northwestern border of the Greater North China Plain, with a population of about 20 million. This results in a high population density of around 27,600 people per square km in the central area.
How do we know that Beijing faces air pollution?
The WHO air quality guideline prescribes that for particular matter PM10 level of 50 micrograms/cubic metre to be acceptable, however, Beijing's was several times higher than that. The average daily Air Pollution Index (API) is 131 in Beijing in May, 2008. On May 27, 2009, its API even reached 463, nine times higher than the safe line. Beijing's figures is even higher than the WHO's interim target for developing countries of 150 micrograms/cubic metre. The interim is easier to achieve and it is set to encourage developing countries to gradually reduce their emissions.
Quote: (side of the book)
"Extensive use of coal, the city's location and the growing number of cars means the improvement in Beijing's air quality is slow," the Associated Press quoted Eric Fa...

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