Environment

“Develop first, clean up later”: Olympic smog a real kick in the face mask

I don’t live in Beijing. I don’t even live in China. So I’m not able to observe first hand the Olympian efforts made by the Chinese government lately to clamp down on air pollution. But from everything I’ve read so far, these efforts are futile.

And I know this isn’t a new story, either. China has been trying to control the pollution crisis ever since Beijing won the bid in 2001. Back then, the headline was “Gasp! An Air of Olympic Inevitability.” Now, it’s…well, much of the same: “Air Pollution Causes Headache Ahead of Olympics.”

Between then and now, there have been many different attempts to make sure athletes aren’t wheezing their way around the Olympic Village on 8.8.08. “Polluting enterprises” were ordered to move elsewhere, much like a dirty roommate might sweep dust under a rug and hope his cleaner housemates would never notice. “Tree belts” were planned to circle the gray metropolis, like planting a few flowers around a nuclear meltdown. And gas stations were “retrofitted” to reduce the production of harmful chemicals, much like giving your Grandma a makeover to pass for a high-schooler.  All of these measures have exacted heavy tolls on businesses, and, not to mention, everyone’s sanity.

Some days, the outlook was positive. “I anticipate the improvement in Beijing’s air quality next year, and we will continue to monitor it, so the air condition is not a concern for U.S. team,” said Steven M. Roush, chief of sport performance in the U.S. Olympic Committee. Other days, everyone seemed to be freaking out. “We’re worried,” said Jon Kolb, a Canadian Olympic official, of Beijing’s air pollution, adding, “There’s no doubt about it. It’s off the charts.” For the most part, it’s been a “mixed bag” of opinions and analysis, according to one USA Today article, in which there is Mr. Roush–remember him? so optimistic just a few years earlier?–quoted again, this time saying pollution is the “No. 1 uncontrollable concern” for the U.S. team in Beijing.

Even in the past 24 hours, there’s been a proliferation of news stories dedicated to the issue of *choke* smog and gunk and other airborne “particulate matter” that threaten to RUIN EVERYTHING!

The Associated Press even shot a video to show viewers like me, so far away in almost-clear-as-crystal Chicago, just how nasty the view from the Bird’s Nest really is:

Beijing Air Still Murky As Olympic Village Opens

Some Western media ask questions about whether Beijing can fight this mess less than a week from the opening ceremonies:

“Will Beijing’s Efforts Clear Air For Olympics?” NPR asks.

“Will smog choke Beijing’s games?” echoes the Chicago Tribune.

Other news organizations make more decisive conclusions:

“Smog chokes spirit of Olympics” and “As Olympics near, Beijing still can’t beat pollution.”

In stark contrast to these stories of gloom, Chinese news media have taken the opportunity to spin a greener yarn. Xinhua boasts: “Confidence strengthened in ‘Green Olympics’“, attributing the haze mostly to the hot and humid summer weather; just “mist,” actually. Mmm, how pleasant! Oh, and don’t be alarmed: “Beijing ready and calm at 10-day countdown,” according to Xinhua just a few hours ago.

So, everyone, just chill out. Think of this summer’s Games as one big outdoor sauna. And all that smog? Yeah, it’s kinda gross, but at least it’s a level playing field–everyone will have to breathe the same air, right? Think of it as an added challenge, like a hurdle. And that’s very in line with the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship. If you ask me, the first one to pass out from piddly smog is WEAK!

But seriously, banning cars and shutting down factories is only a temporary fix to a more significant problem. Lo Sze Ping, Greenpeace’s campaign director in Beijing, blames the dirty air on what he considers a “develop first, clean up later” approach by the Chinese government, according to today’s front page story in the Chicago Tribune. “Beijing has missed a golden opportunity to use the Olympics as a platform for more ambitious programs to clean up the air,” Lo says.

Don’t get me wrong: The Beijing Games can still be fun and inspiring and successful. But hopefully, everyone who watches will learn an important lesson and realize that it takes more than a few last-ditch measures to truly create sustainable change. And that goes for all countries, not just China.

Basically, it’s too late for clear, blue skies. The smog will be in Beijing next week. And probably at the closing ceremony, too. So don’t hold your breath. But do hold on to your ideas about what we can do after all this momentary pollution paranoia subsides. Because that’s when policies and reforms will really count.

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