Entries tagged with “east lake wuhan pollution” from LINDY-LOO'S LIFE
I must warn you...I'm not in the greatest mood as I write this. What's more, I had hoped my first blog on my new home would be full of wonderful news and smelling of potpourri. Unfortunately, the events of my day have left me saddened and reflective. Subsequently, the Chinese-government-approved version of the details of my daily life here in Wuhan will have to wait for another day. First, this story must be told.
After a good sleep-in, some yoga, and a coffee, I took the city bus an hour East of my house to explore the area known as Wuchang; and more specifically, it's famed East Lake. On route, I began to feel a little depressed, as I wondered to myself if Chinese people even know that the sky is blue. I fantasized about trying to teach a physics class where I describe that water is blue because it reflects the blue sky - and look up to see dumbfounded faces on all of my students. They would ask me, "teacher, are you colour blind? The sky is not blue!"
But I tried to shake myself from the bitterness. I repeated several mantras to myself such as: the earth will take care of itself; we're all at fault, it's not 'us' vs. 'them'; and, it's not like Chinese people are maliciously ruining the environment.
But....the thing is...they ARE.
East Lake is touted as the largest lake within any city boundary in China. The tourism literature online notes it is "characterized by a beautiful landscape, abundant plants, and unique gardens..." however, it fails to mention a number of darker attributes to the 87 square km of water area.
First and foremost, the thousands of fish lying belly up on the banks, greeting you upon arrival.
Or the fact that you can't see farther than 100m in front of you without wondering if you suddenly need glasses.
After a good sleep-in, some yoga, and a coffee, I took the city bus an hour East of my house to explore the area known as Wuchang; and more specifically, it's famed East Lake. On route, I began to feel a little depressed, as I wondered to myself if Chinese people even know that the sky is blue. I fantasized about trying to teach a physics class where I describe that water is blue because it reflects the blue sky - and look up to see dumbfounded faces on all of my students. They would ask me, "teacher, are you colour blind? The sky is not blue!"But I tried to shake myself from the bitterness. I repeated several mantras to myself such as: the earth will take care of itself; we're all at fault, it's not 'us' vs. 'them'; and, it's not like Chinese people are maliciously ruining the environment.
But....the thing is...they ARE.
East Lake is touted as the largest lake within any city boundary in China. The tourism literature online notes it is "characterized by a beautiful landscape, abundant plants, and unique gardens..." however, it fails to mention a number of darker attributes to the 87 square km of water area.
First and foremost, the thousands of fish lying belly up on the banks, greeting you upon arrival.
Or the fact that you can't see farther than 100m in front of you without wondering if you suddenly need glasses.
I mean, it had the potential to be very serene and picturesque. However, my camera's inability to see through smog made it nearly impossible to show you the underlying beauty. Maybe that is the next step in camera technology - of course, specifically targeted to the Chinese market.
As I took this picture, I could hardly hold back tears. (That's Wuhan only 10km away in the background!) Then I spent a few hours walking along the banks, wondering really what it was that bothered me about the whole situation.
Ignorance is bliss. But it's not an excuse.
And what's even worse, is indifference.
In a country where the most technologically advanced infrastructure in the world is being built, and at record speed, the passivity of it's people is allowing an opportunity for others to demolish the environment at the expense of making more money. And what's worse, is it is their government - who is charged with the best interest of it's people - who tell this mob to think in this way; or not think, in this case.
The current environmental state in China is ludicrous. Furthermore, at a time when there is so much money and education and technology to actually do something about it, it is only getting worse. I wonder if they are just too lazy to bother to care (certainly many Canadians are with regards to our own social issues for example).
And granted, the majority in China is still impoverish to the point of not being able to afford to care. But am I asking too much? I'd just like to be able to wake up in the morning without a sore throat. I'd like to go for a run and not wonder if I am doing more harm to my body than good. I'd like to be able to clearly see this gorgeous, lakeside pagoda. I'd like to be proud of the country I live in. But, specifically when it comes to it's environment, I am devastated by where I have chosen to live.
As I took this picture, I could hardly hold back tears. (That's Wuhan only 10km away in the background!) Then I spent a few hours walking along the banks, wondering really what it was that bothered me about the whole situation.
Ignorance is bliss. But it's not an excuse. And what's even worse, is indifference.
In a country where the most technologically advanced infrastructure in the world is being built, and at record speed, the passivity of it's people is allowing an opportunity for others to demolish the environment at the expense of making more money. And what's worse, is it is their government - who is charged with the best interest of it's people - who tell this mob to think in this way; or not think, in this case.
The current environmental state in China is ludicrous. Furthermore, at a time when there is so much money and education and technology to actually do something about it, it is only getting worse. I wonder if they are just too lazy to bother to care (certainly many Canadians are with regards to our own social issues for example).
And granted, the majority in China is still impoverish to the point of not being able to afford to care. But am I asking too much? I'd just like to be able to wake up in the morning without a sore throat. I'd like to go for a run and not wonder if I am doing more harm to my body than good. I'd like to be able to clearly see this gorgeous, lakeside pagoda. I'd like to be proud of the country I live in. But, specifically when it comes to it's environment, I am devastated by where I have chosen to live.
Since I am quite familiar with culturation, and the process required (which follows much of the same steps as grief or loss), I know the previously mentioned opinions are not necessarily representative of me or the situation as a whole. I am discernably at the 'rejection' phase of culturating to China. I feel frustrated with anything different right now (which is everything here) and it is just a matter of getting past this phase before I can enter the acceptance and assimilation stages.
And although right now I feel like it might be a while before I get there, I can work towards it by trying to see the other side of the story.
Ultimately, I could (and did) come to Canada and be equally as judgmental. There is no doubt that our countries deal with things differently. It is unfair to say one is right and therefore one is wrong.
For example, in Canada it is illegal to litter. Littering is considered very rude and you can receive a fine of up to $2000 if you are caught doing so. On the other hand, China allows littering; in fact, it is so prevalent I was hit twice today by flying garbage. But they deal with this quite efficiently by employing at least 1 road cleaner to every thousand people. And I bet if I watched a piece of litter on the sidewalk, it would be gone within ten minutes.
Furthermore, in Canada, there are a bizzilion driving rules of the road. These are supposed to keep drivers and passengers safe. Not abiding by these rules may cost you a few hundred dollars, and possibly revocation of your license if the infractions occur too often. In contrast, there are no rules to the road in China. There are lines and there are lights. But they are a guideline at best. In fact, the road rules here are best described as similar to those of the game Chicken.
Lastly, Canadians over-consume to the point where their bellies are laden with flab; they over drink to the point of death in some cases (and later on in life, many cases); they exercise merely so they can eat more. The biggest killer in Canada is heart failure and stroke due to gluttony. Chinese people, on the other hand, are very nimble, fit and trim. But, their synonymous sin is they smoke like chimneys and burn their garbage. Thus, leading to more than a third of the deaths in China being lung disease related.
Neither situation is better than the other. What bothers me the most right now, is that our environment encompasses more than just one country, a continent, or even simply us as humans. Pollution leads to the obvious like dying fish and holes in the ozone. These are not good things! The decisions we make regarding how the environment's health is maintained isn't like the decisions we make that simply affect our own health. It's bigger then that. Our responsibility as the species on earth with the knowledge to destroy the planet and save it at the same time is not being taken seriously by all involved.
And although right now I feel like it might be a while before I get there, I can work towards it by trying to see the other side of the story.
Ultimately, I could (and did) come to Canada and be equally as judgmental. There is no doubt that our countries deal with things differently. It is unfair to say one is right and therefore one is wrong.
For example, in Canada it is illegal to litter. Littering is considered very rude and you can receive a fine of up to $2000 if you are caught doing so. On the other hand, China allows littering; in fact, it is so prevalent I was hit twice today by flying garbage. But they deal with this quite efficiently by employing at least 1 road cleaner to every thousand people. And I bet if I watched a piece of litter on the sidewalk, it would be gone within ten minutes.
Furthermore, in Canada, there are a bizzilion driving rules of the road. These are supposed to keep drivers and passengers safe. Not abiding by these rules may cost you a few hundred dollars, and possibly revocation of your license if the infractions occur too often. In contrast, there are no rules to the road in China. There are lines and there are lights. But they are a guideline at best. In fact, the road rules here are best described as similar to those of the game Chicken.
Lastly, Canadians over-consume to the point where their bellies are laden with flab; they over drink to the point of death in some cases (and later on in life, many cases); they exercise merely so they can eat more. The biggest killer in Canada is heart failure and stroke due to gluttony. Chinese people, on the other hand, are very nimble, fit and trim. But, their synonymous sin is they smoke like chimneys and burn their garbage. Thus, leading to more than a third of the deaths in China being lung disease related.
Neither situation is better than the other. What bothers me the most right now, is that our environment encompasses more than just one country, a continent, or even simply us as humans. Pollution leads to the obvious like dying fish and holes in the ozone. These are not good things! The decisions we make regarding how the environment's health is maintained isn't like the decisions we make that simply affect our own health. It's bigger then that. Our responsibility as the species on earth with the knowledge to destroy the planet and save it at the same time is not being taken seriously by all involved.
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