The strongest dust storm in ten years affected northern China on Monday, illustrating what conservation groups have called the “ecological crisis.”
Li Shuo, Greenpeace China’s policy director, told the New York Times that the storm, which landed hundreds of flights, was “the result of land and ecological degradation in northern and western Beijing.” Industrial pollutants in the vicinity of Beijing so far this year have already exceeded the annual average of the past four years, he added.
“Beijing is an aspect of an ecological crisis. After two weeks of smoke and static air, the strong wind brings a sandstorm, sending [air quality index] off the letter, ”Li said.
Beijing is the aspect of an ecological crisis. After two weeks of fog and static air, the strong wind brings a sandstorm and makes AQI off the chart. It’s hard to say we’re moving forward when you can’t see what’s in front of you. pic.twitter.com/m0wS5oYg6O
– Li Shuo_Greenpeace (@LiShuo_GP) March 15, 2021
The weather system had its genesis in a winter storm that passed through Mongolia, where it killed at least nine and ravaged power in several regions of the country. In northern China, air exceeded hazard levels for airborne particles.
Air quality readings reached 999 on Monday after averages of about 80 until most of 2020.
The China Meteorological Office declared a “yellow alert” due to the storm. According to NPR, the event spread from northwestern Xinjiang and Gansu provinces to inland Mongolia and Hebei province. Overall, the storm affected 12 provinces and cities, NPR reported, citing state media.
Time has been compared to the “airpocalypse” events that affected the country in recent years before Chinese Communist Party leaders took steps to reduce pollution levels.
Beijing officials imposed a stay-at-home order for children, the sick and the elderly, as the resulting smoke discolored the air. The effects are expected to persist at least Tuesday morning, according to the Times.
President Xi Jinping has said that a “green revolution” is needed in the country and that China will intensify its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but this goal has often been contrary to accelerated economic development. Heavy pollution in recent days has been linked to increased steel and cement production, and China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently told local officials that four steel and cement factories Hebei province have not adequately reduced emissions, according to the Times.