【Original】Some random thoughts on Wu Mai – open discussion welcome

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Fog mai is a trending topic being shared on social media recently. Earlier on, everyone thought that companies such as chemical plants and metal smelters would reduce or stop production, there would be restrictions on car use, and many coal-fired boilers had been shut down in the previous two years. Yet, fog still appeared this year. Later, experts said that the fog in Beijing comes from Hebei Province; there is dynamic monitoring and data to support this claim, but Hebei stated that it would not take responsibility for it. Some expert or scholar began to point the finger at Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Shanxi, citing a series of arguments such as large-scale coal mining in those areas. If one checks the national PM2.5 ranking list, I recall that last year, among the top 10 entries on that list (Baidu: PM2.5 Map, first link), Hebei had 7 representatives; Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Hengshui, Handan, Xingtai, Tangshan, and Cangzhou were consistently among the top 10. This year, however, the number of provinces from Hebei in that top 10 has decreased (not as a compliment – these provinces are still suffering from severe pollution). Instead, provinces such as Henan and Shandong are more prominently represented on the ranking list. What does this mean? What is the connection between these and what the experts mentioned earlier regarding Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Shanxi? 【Unfortunately, the values from that time weren’t recorded; otherwise, it would have been even more convincing.】 Another view expressed in the comments is that London was known as a city shrouded in fog 60 years ago, and with that precedent already in place, why hasn’t ZGZF managed to turn things around quickly? The measures taken in London at that time fell into several categories: 1. Banning coal-fired boilers, or implementing purification measures such as desulfurization. 2. Raising standards for vehicle fuel. 3. Relocating chemical manufacturing enterprises so that they are not concentrated in one area…… Many people have heard of a journalist’s work titled “Under the Dome”; some have watched it, while others were prevented from doing so. All these measures are mentioned in the video, and the Chinese government is also carrying out similar actions. Unfortunately, due to the national conditions, there are always countermeasures in response to policies introduced at the higher levels. Some people say that the government isn’t doing enough; when it comes to choosing between lives and the economy, stricter measures should be taken to address environmental issues. Yes, on the one hand we complain about the poor economy, and on the other hand we desire green mountains and clear waters – it’s a contradiction in itself. The internet economy and financial capital operations – these two currently most profitable industries – seem to be nothing but bubbles, lacking any tangible foundation. A simple example: the popular live streaming platforms these days – celebrity streamers earn annual salaries in the millions, not to mention the income from gifts received on a regular basis. By just chatting, playing games, or singing, they can earn tens of millions. What is the actual form of this money? 【This part is a bit arbitrary.】 In my opinion, the large population base in the country is one factor that should be taken into consideration; if all boilers were banned, heating in residential areas could become a problem. All cars are treated uniformly; those that do not meet the emission standards are not allowed on the roads. So what happens to these cars that cannot be driven? After all, there is no policy for exchanging them for a discount. If the chemical industry is shut down or relocated, what will happen to the livelihood of many workers who are currently employed there? The chemical industry is one of the most fundamental sectors in a country, and its consequences can be severe. Smart humans have discovered new energy sources; what truly changes things in chemical manufacturing are new processes, and this is a topic that requires extensive research over a long period of time. A gradual replacement process. What is the root cause of the fog? Who exactly is to blame: coal burning, vehicle exhaust, the chemical industry, and even the food service industry. What is the most fundamental reason of all? It seems there is no definite conclusion. We all thought that humanity had already achieved great capabilities, but the disappearance of MH370 seemed to serve as a harsh wake-up call; now, the challenge of combating air pollution has arisen once again. I just hope all of this will pass soon, and I can wait in silence for the wind to blow~~