Blue sky, a long-term pursuit!
After I have read the article Beijing’s Olympic Quest: Turn Smoggy Sky Blue , I think a lot and I remember one day in Vera’s class, she complained about the foul air in Beijing and asked whether we can taste the polluted air, all of as said “no”. It makes plain that we get accustomed to the gray, acid skies and the foul air. However, we can not deny the fact that Beijing has steadily increased its Blue Sky days in recent years.
The columnist mentions that for the world’s Olympians, Beijing’s air is a performance issue. So the concern is that respiratory problems could affect athletic performance and prevent records from being broken. That is why we should take the environmental problem seriously as the 2008 Olympics is around the corner.
As far as I’m concerned, since Beijing has been confirmed host city of 2008 Olympics, the spirit of “green Olympics” has been carried through very effectively and has brought more and more changes to Beijing, of course the positive changes~ Polluting factories have been moved or closed. Scientists are testing wind patterns and atmospheric structure to identify the local and regional pollution sources. It is known to all that last August Beijing took an experimental step on the road to 2008 Olympic Games, the city removed a million cars from roads during a four-day test on the purpose of reducing pollution and clearing traffic. What’s more, more and more trees and flowers are planted in order to improve the climate and optimize the use of our rich resources and provide an environmental friendly city to the world.
“Beijing has long ranked as one of the world’s most polluted cities.” Actually I doubt whether the columnist says is true, but we should face the music and realize that the ecological environment in Beijing as well as in other cities of our country should be improved.
I do agree the columnist’s opinion that pollution is an inescapable health and quality-of-life issue, especially in the big city with estimated 12 million residents. I’m in full conviction that we will provide the world a green Beijing and a green Olympics, however, any emergency measures have a limited shelf life, thus we should continue our efforts to turn our sky blue even after the Game for the sake of our life.
Sometimes the columnist seems critical, he says “Beijing is like an athlete trying to get into shape by walking on a treadmill yet eating double cheeseburgers at the same time. Polluting factories have been moved or closed “and “it is like you invite some guests to your home, and hide all your children underneath the bed to make the house look nicer.” We know that for many foreigners the concern is whether Beijing can clean itself up long after the Games are over. Nevertheless, fighting against pollution is a long-term battle and we can hardly see the result immediately, and there is no doubt that we may encounter a lot of difficulties and defeat them one by one, eventually we can make it with our determination and persistence~
Despite some criticisms, we are making efforts to fight against pollution on our own way and longing for more and more blue skies in the city we love 
Let’s all wish the best for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing~
Access:
maggie Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:57 am
Yes, it will be a benefit to all Chinese people to clean up the air. It can be done but I am sure it will take time to replace the coal burning facilities with cleaner fuel sources. Cars are not the only problem, but it will take time and money to make a difference. I have seen a lot of progress in respect to creating a green environment. There are a lot more trees and flowers decorating the edges of the roads than there werer when I first came in 1999.
Let’s hope the wind blows during the Olympics!