Beijing might finally be catching a break from worldwide criticism of its airBeijing might finally be catching a break from worldwide criticism of its air.Officials reported that in the first half of 2019, the Chinese capital’s concentration of four major air pollutants had reached an all-time low since records began in 1984, with only three “heavily-polluted” days.Related:Is China About to Hit Its Carbon Output Goals 12 Years Ahead of Schedule?The report further states that the concentration of four major pollutants –– PM10, PM 2.5, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide –– plummeted significantly.But a blue sky doesn’t come easy — Beijing’s been putting forth immense effort to tackle its air pollution over the years, as it replaces coal with sustainable energy sources, builds carbon capture plants, and enforces environmental laws on a massive scale. There’s even a new tax on those who over-emit carbon dioxide.Related:Meet the Scientist Who May Have Unexpectedly Solved China’s Smog ProblemThough Beijing’s war on pollution still has a long way to go, and nationwide the picture isn’t quite so clear, it looks like the city’s air quality is headed in a positive direction as both individuals and the government start to treat carbon emissions more seriously.
