Navigating the Crossroads of Weather and Air Quality in East Asia
Greetings to our environmental advocates and concerned citizens. In this article, we explore the intricate web of weather patterns and air quality issues, focusing on East Asia's environmental landscape.
As we navigate the coming days, weather projections reveal a deviation of two to three degrees above normal, accompanied by foggy conditions due to atmospheric stagnation. The west winds carry smog from China, elevating particulate matter levels in the Midwest and Jeolla Province to "poor" standards, necessitating the use of masks.
Cloudy skies across the country and minimal snowfall in Gangwon Province mark tomorrow's forecast. Be cautious, as gusts exceeding 20 meters per second in the east coast and 25 meters per second in Gangwon Province elevate the risk of wildfires.
Turning our attention to China, recent studies disclose a 3.6% increase in the average concentration of ultra-fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). This marks the first deterioration in China's air quality indicators in a decade, challenging the progress made since the 2014 war on air pollution.
However, the pursuit of a radical low-carbon policy in 2021 led to an energy crisis, prompting a return to coal power. The geopolitical landscape, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, further strained energy security. As a consequence, China approved 106 GW of coal power projects, momentarily diverting from President Xi Jinping's "twin coal pledge."
Amidst this, the winter's Arctic cold wave poses an additional challenge. China's reliance on coal-fired power for 70% of its generation escalates demand during this peak season.
Locally, Seoul, Chungbuk, and Daegu are forecasted to experience 'bad' fine dust concentrations, emphasizing the urgency of addressing air quality concerns.
FAQ Addition: Q: What measures can be taken to address the impact of air pollution, especially from China? A: While diplomatic efforts can press for pollution reduction in China, domestically reducing nitrogen oxides, a significant contributor to fine dust when combined with pollutants from China, can significantly improve air quality. Implementing stricter regulations on diesel vehicles is one suggested approach.
#AirQuality, #EnvironmentalHealth, #EastAsiaWeather, #PollutionControl, #ClimateAction
