The silver lining in the polluted haze is that it got so bad it received international news coverage. The Chinese government is now embarrassed enough that they are formulating pollution reduction plans. Those Chinese goods that we Americans purchase so cheaply might not be so cheap anymore, but at least an entire nation won't be walking around wheezing.
I think of all the extra appliances that I have to use to live here such as the air purifiers, water filters and humidifiers that are all running constantly and using electricity, burning more fossil fuels and adding to the pollution problem. What a vicious cycle.
The pollution is, by far, the hardest thing about living in China for an expat. And the Chinese people have lived with it for years. Older Chinese refuse to even acknowledge the pollution, referring to it as "weather" or that "it's just foggy". Um, no, it's not foggy, it's a particulate reading of 500. The younger Chinese population acknowledges it and is finally realizing they shouldn't have to live quietly with this any longer. I just don't understand how a country that strives to be a world economic leader doesn't have potable water or breathable air.
On a lighter note, everyone is gearing up for Chinese New Year in a couple weeks. Decorations are up and most Chinese are getting ready to head south to resorts in Thailand, The Phillippines and Malaysia. We've decided to stick around Beijing and actually doing some touring in our own city. I'm looking forward to it.
