A new documentary claims a single body of water catalysed one of the world’s most far-reaching clean up operations.
By the mid-1990s, central China’s Huai River had become so toxic animals living in a nearby zoo were being blinded by fumes and run-off. Meanwhile, children and teachers at a neighbouring zoo were forced to wear face masks and sunglasses to protect themselves from pollutants.
Driven by the rapid economic growth as the world’s most populated country transformed into an industrial powerhouse through radical reform of financial policies, local governments were effectively asked to compete against each other to provide homes for ‘township and village enterprises’ at any cost. Much of this was largely unregulated and unchecked, in an environmental context at least. After a decade of this activity, the impact on nature and the atmosphere was profound.
It was only when Qu Geping, Chairman of the Environmental Committee, allowed national media access to China’s worst polluted areas that the public became aware of the crisis. Despite tight restrictions on civil rights, including protests, people demanded action and the government could no longer ignore the situation. Pressure then spread to other issues, including Beijing’s notorious air pollution crisis.
Plenty has changed in the years since, with levels of PM2.5 fine particulate matter in the atmosphere above the capital’s streets plummeting by 70% since 2013 and the Huai River almost unrecognisable today compared with pre-millennium years. Produced by the National Committee on US China Relations, take a look at the documentary above to understand the steps involved in one of the world’s most far-reaching and remarkable cleanup operations.
Image: Victor / Unsplash
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