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Worker cleans away dead fish at a lake in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province
Boy swims in algae-filled water, Qingdao Shandong
Journalist takes a sample of red polluted water from Jianhe River
Fisherman row a boat in the algae-filled Chaohu Lake in Hefei, Anhui Province
Girl walks through smog in Beijing, where small particle pollution is 40 times over the international safety standards
Child swims in a polluted reservoir, Pingba
Child drinks water from stream in Fuyuan County, Yunnan Province
Labourer tried to clean up oil from water, Dalian, Liaoning
Fake Hong Kong skyline for tourists
Buildings in Beijing surrounded by smog
Workers try to drain sewage water from leaking sewage tank, Shanghang, Fujian
Boy tries to avoid scattered rubbish floating on a flooded street in Shantou, Guangdong province
Woman collects plastic bottles near river polluted by reddish dye
Pollution from a factory in Yutian, 100km east of Beijing
Workers clean up floating garbage on Yangtze River
Dead fish in water filled with blueish algae, East Lake, Wuhan
Man walks by pipe discharging waste water into Yangtze River
Great Wall of China, shame
Heavily Polluted river in Jiaxing, Zhejiang
(are some rivers this color naturally?)
Child jumps over trash at a village, Jiaxing
Not my article/photos/captions.
Here is the source: http://www.boredpanda.com/pollution-china/#post0
ToddStewart
Tragedy of the commons writ large
im2old4this
Living in Colorado, one thing noticed is if you litter in this state there is a very good chance you'll get followed and yelled at, or hurt.
MoonandStar
"Labourer tried to clean up oil from water, Dalian, Liaoning" I guess he wasn't too successful.
PubicHair
Fuckin water turning into a soccerfield and shit
LimitedWard
Especially shit.
tracereading
China joined the Industrial Revolution just in time to piss off the Green movement.
FartedWhileMakingUpName
The thing is, when ours was booming little was known or done about the damage it caused. Now we ALL know.
monkeymuffins
Yes, but imagine asking an Ethiopian kid to choose between food or smog. And remember that, in 1980, China was poorer than Ethiopia.
FartedWhileMakingUpName
That's the hardest part, convincing countries to forego profits or even spend extra money to keep the environment clean.
ihavethisirrelevantfearofaliensattacking
Alright. Everyone grab a broom.
samscheese
Yeah, clean it up.
Quadratauge
Reminds me of the 80s and the problems we had in Europe. Sad that shit gets repeated.
dashers
A friend met a 21 yr Chinese girl on the way to Tibet. The reason for her trip was to see the sky for the first time in her life.
88mixy
The sky is very different in Tibet than anywhere else. Every city in China has normal days
eggmuffin
That sounds unlikely. There's no need to go that far (assuming the girl in question was from Beijing or its infill-cities).
dashers
Who knows, or even cares? Perhaps she wanted to see Tibet and figured it'll kill two birds with one stone.
eggmuffin
Yeah. I'm gonna go with 'you made it up'.
InnocentValley
If you only get one chance, you'll want the best one.
eggmuffin
So the sky in Tibet is better than the sky in, say, Shaanxi? Or Sichuan? Both of which you pass through on the way? Don't be ridiculous.
eggmuffin
Or maybe Dashers was just making shit up.
InnocentValley
Excuse me, but I wouldn't know. I've never been there. I just gave an idea. Maybe she wanted to see the sky in Tibet specifically.
menelmacar
And this is the country the Kyoto Protocol gives a pass.
bittenkitten813
And this is why it's so important that last year they agreed with the US to set limits. Hope Paris meeting works out well this year
menelmacar
It was a complete bullshit agreement. China's under no obligation until 2030, even if we assume it's legally binding, which it's not.
bittenkitten813
Our agreement wasn't either, but it's the first time China has even played lip-service to the idea.
Mandarinduck
I'm sad, upset and sicken by these photos. The government does nothing to help cleanup those oil spills and algae problems.
InnocentValley
That's one thing, another is the mentality of people who throw trash on the ground. Just please, people, don't do it. Look what happens.
sedated
Yup the mainland government is as corrupt as fuck.
QuintusTulliusCicero
Bull. China has some incredible environmental programs; the corruption means that most of the money get's diverted to line pockets.
OnTheLamb
Have you not seen the photo of a man in a handmade hazard suit wading through shit and oil trying to contain it? They are cleaning it.
JNick101
Dangerous words: "I'm from the government, I'm here to help"
nihilityfarce
Do you think that businesses and average people will spend time and money cleaning up after themselves because it's the right thing to do?
JNick101
I think there's a better chance of that happening than the government doing it because it's the "right thing to do".
jaketh0
actually the chinese government is very active in cleanup efforts, if only they would've been interested in preventing it
bootymen
Well I mean they have to prevent it so attract tourist and investments
downrightmike
Especially in places that aren't ruined completely, they are trying to protect it.
Mycologics
Yeah China is indeed working pretty hard to help clear up the pollution. Better cars cleaner factories etc
TheLordLucifersBannedAccount02
To be fair, the US Government is not active in prevention methods either.
pleasejustletmesleep
I was just thinking about that... Wouldn't it count as prevention to teach the three r's, etc., to kids in school?
TheLordLucifersBannedAccount02
It's something they'd learn, and ignore when their role models (parents) follow the ignorant leaders in society.
jaketh0
point taken, but at least there are people TRYING to prevent that level of pollution here.
TheLordLucifersBannedAccount02
Who get ignored and squashed by the big businesses trying to create that level of pollution.
jaketh0
can't argue with that unfortunately
uhCanadian
There are people in China who are trying to fix the problems too.
IsolemnlyswearIamuptonogoodstartedmakintroubleinmyneighbourhood
Actually, yes to the yellow river one. There is one, in China, coincidentally, that's yellow because of the clay (?) from its bedding (1/2)
creepwood
While this not might be the yellow river, but you are right in why the river is named that. Upvote for fact ^.^
dennnnnis
As a Hong Kong citizen, the pollution you see there at the picture comes from Mainland China. There are lots of factories up north 1/
dennnnnis
Of Hong Kong. And in winter, the cold air travels downwards bringing the pollution to Hong Kong. This is why in summer, 2/
dennnnnis
The air is much cleaner 3/
OverpricedCrayon
Still filthy for half the year then.
jaketh0
That is nothing short of despicable.
Skillflipz
Made in China.
CONFESSlONBEAR
Made for the West.
PORTUGUESETORTURING
why the fuck would you swim in that?
InnocentValley
Because it's the only thing to swim in..
PORTUGUESETORTURING
just because an atomic bomb may be the only source of heat doesnt mean you set it off to keep yourself warm
InnocentValley
That's much more exaggerated.
PORTUGUESETORTURING
shhhhh
InnocentValley
....... Is this the part where we have sex?
MeAnd2Bs
When I was a kid, before they cleaned up Boston Harbor, we would wade through the 4 ft of sewage on the shore line to get to clean ocean.
Pandatickler
Oh god I can smell the fish.
demiandub
Tell your mum to pull up her pants then
notwithstandingupordown
I went to Beijing last year. No smog, very clean, great tube network, friendly people, superb food, generally nice. Different perspectives.
HighwayStar
Or you got lucky and the wind blew the smog away on that day you were there.
notwithstandingupordown
I was there for a week, not a hint of smog.
Knightlypanda
Sometimes the air is smoggy, sometimes not. Sometimes it so bad residents are told to stay at home...
notwithstandingupordown
I know, I just wanted to point out that it's not a smog filled hell hole all the time.
Flymolo30
Sometimes I get sad that we won't explore the universe then I see this and I'm glad we won't be able too.
InnocentValley
Wall-E made me sad on so many levels.
randomlex
WTF, if we could explore the universe now trash would not be a problem anymore, probably ever...
TheUnbearableLightnessOfPooping
Same. I get sad that global warming will kill us all,but then I get happy that the surviving species wont have to put up w/ our shit anymore
NoOtherExplanationIsPossible
Well that's just dumb. If we settle on other planets, somehow I don't think we'll mess up the non-existent ecosystems.
vechs
What a dumb comment. As if plastic bottles around a barren asteroid, or more greenhouse gas on a planet like Venus would matter at all.
llamallamaredpajama
Every one of those made my skin itch...
rickanddianne
We make me sick.
MorganMcJiggleson
"Boy swims in algae-filled water, Qingdao Shandong" holy fuck, why?
tarataqa
He already had his floaties on. Duh!
randomlex
For Journalism, comrade!
roobarbandcustard
I am looking at this on my Chinese made smart phone and shaking my head in disapproval, like the hypocrite I am.
bubblehearth
I think the pollution there is a shame, but am I a hypocrite for wanting/using electronics? The world outsources everything there, and they-
bubblehearth
-have done so long before anyone paid attention to the environmental impact. If I want products these days, I have no say in the country-
bubblehearth
-where it was produced. And when we DO get a US/local based company, like the MotoX plant in TX? Costs shut it down right away.
JohnHagen
I was thinking the same thing, I bought some stuff from china online because it was cheap, but everything has a price and it's not always $$
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
Yep. This is almost entirely a result of our demand for their goods
creefer
Our demand for goods doesn't have to cause this. It's still a choice.
monkeymuffins
A lot of it isn't "their" goods. It's "our" goods that we make over there because it's cheaper.
JenWontShutUp
Exactly. Pollution in China is directly related to the economic opening up that occurred in the 80's, and the factories that came with that.
EnergyFiend
I really thought there was hope with the Moto X ... http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/30/motorola-texas-plant-shutdown/
theproudestmonkeyyouveeverseen
Thank you for this. Looking through all of these comments... People are so quick to throw the blame on China alone
TheGodofWar
We're all hypocrites.
vanaman
Smartphone, TV, even clothes are from this area. The situation in Indonesia, Bangladesh is not way better than in China.
Zokathra
These are like paintings:![]()
GODfreyJones
Ugh....that kid in the algae....I can feel it on my skin now. *shiver*
nihilityfarce
I don't know why they're doing that, kid doesn't really look like he wants to be in the "water" and it's probably super bad for him...
PureOdio
No, OP, I am sad to assure you that rivers are not that color naturally. Even the muddiest river of silt should not resemble a Tang tsunami.
Whydopeoplekeepcallingmethat
+1 for "Tang Tsunami"
Oedipussy
How can humans let such a thing happen?
thisappisajoke
Because humans are stupid.
KFizzle
The people that knowingly oversee & permit such widespread pollution with wreckless abandon, are not humans.
demiandub
Because they are humans
DaMummy
Oedipussy
I love this gif.
InnocentValley
Ignorance.
jaketh0
This is a byproduct of western consumerism, so we should be asking ourselves 'How could we let this happen?'
maximinusthrax1
I'd narrow your statement to say it is a product of RAPID consumerism and growth.
randomlex
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30849473 related read
CerebrawlHemmorage
Even more so, a byproduct of communism. Because a country with informed people with political choices don't let it go that far. NIMBY.
OnlyRopeSit
Bullshit. Pollution doesnt have anything to do with communism, it does with consumerism. China isn't communist anymore & never rly was.
CerebrawlHemmorage
Lack of public pressure on politicians due to one party system, no risk of being voted out. Combined with a plan economy.
MrCIA
I would like to point you to the environmental problems of the former Soviet bloc nations as compared to their western neighbors.
OnlyRopeSit
that doesn't have anything to do with communism though, just very shitty governments. How does communism promote polluting?
Jusmar
Well, usually superpowers can do whatever the fuck they want... It's really not my problem what china does. It's on them to change.
uhCanadian
The problem is that it IS most peoples problem what China does. How many items do you own that were made in China? BOOM now its your problem
InnocentValley
Do you know about them waste islands in middle of the ocean? Your waste goes there too. So fuck off.
jaketh0
We all live on the same planet, share the same air and water
Jusmar
It's *incredibly* naive to think you can force superpowers(especially ones as politically concrete as china) to do anything.
Jusmar
Let's take a quick step down to reality. We don't share *control* of their water or air. We don't control their policy.
jaketh0
The way we spend our money is more control than their government has
Jusmar
I don't live in china. They don't care what I think, they probably wouldn't even care what I thought if I was a citizen. It's useless.
Jusmar
Lol, at the amount of downvotes. The truth fucking hurts doesn't it? The man is evil! Shame on corporations! The Fed is illuminati!
Hessuu
people like to store shit into their houses and buy more which propably causes stuff like this
eggmuffin
Through inaction.
yingjun
very rarely do I see people throw things in the trashcan. Constant littering & dumping everywhere. very frustrating & sad. They know better.
[deleted]
[deleted]
NuclearBoxcutter
Habits don't die easy.
imbitteraboutit
I thought shanghai was incredibly well maintained... minus the smog factor of .25Beijings.
ilovecrazy
Feel the same living in Singapore. Only clean because they pay people to clean up after everyone.
SolitaSoulSaysSi
That's why it's dirty in China. There are street cleaners, so no one feels obligated to clean after themselves. But cleaners can't keep up
MoneyGlazedClam
At the Uni next to where I live, we have an abundance of Chinese exchange students. They litter everywhere any anywhere. It's really sad :/
thisappisajoke
Right? I fucking rage even when I see people throw their cig butts on the ground RIGHT NEXT to a trash can/ash tray! Like, REALLY?!
bootymen
But you gotta think not everyone was taught that way,somewhere someone growing up thinking it's okay that way
causality
I think cigarette smokers are under the delusion that they'll degrade in a few days. Butts are a form of plastic and they can last decades.
blastomite
Thats how it was when I went to india. "How do you like India?? its dirty right!!? *throws empty bottle onto street*".
LimitDoesNotExist
It still is. Educated people i work with, does the same. Gets me really frustrated.
shesaidgoodbyetotheground
Honestly, the planet is fucked. My biggest beef with people who litter is the blatant disrespect for shared space. Other people have to (A)
shesaidgoodbyetotheground
Use that sidewalk or that bus stop. If you want to throw garbage on your floor at home, fine, but don't make me stand around in your (B)
shesaidgoodbyetotheground
Filth simply because I decided to used a public space that day. (C)
KillingTheJoke1
I feel this way all over the world. Even in first world countries. I want to clean it up, but I'd probably just enable them.
BaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaBATMAN
I was in Thailand and our hotel room pointed towards a local apartment block. People just threw garbage right out the window. Filthy people.
BaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaNaBATMAN
And by filthy people, I obviously don't mean all Thais.
bootymen
This is what happens when a country suddenly becomes rich but it's citizens aren't taught how to handle this sudden progression and pplonly1
bootymen
Knw how to abuse it
FisTacklz
eetsumkaus
2/2 I mean, how can you not give other people a fuck you when they don't give you anything? Same with India and most of SouthEast Asia
NightPainPoe
Psh. Even if they did use trash cans, they would just dump the trash from the can into the river. I rather have people suffer than oceans.
SeriousCloud
Like Mister Rogers' mother said "look for the helpers."
TOMMOEX
Like Hammond said, it's the most moronic crime ever
InnocentValley
Exactly. I despise it. Luckally my country has a good enough mentality to not be so filthy. We take our trash home if there's no bins.
eetsumkaus
Chinese culture has no personal responsibility to society, because society has no responsibility to the individual... 1/2
mibango
its in all post communist countries, eg eastern Germany
moorina
and then there's the public urination/defecation... oh man it's way more common than you think.
SolitaSoulSaysSi
And the masturbation. There's also that. I've seen way more tiny Chinese dicks than I would wish on anyone.
thecraftinista
I'm a Canadian that went to China in 2014. I was so disgusted by all of the garbage that I saw and the complete disregard for the planet.
iHateMeghanTrainor
The Chinese are filthy people
SolitaSoulSaysSi
I feel bad when I meet people who decided to take their one big vacay to China. It sucks balls. it's disgusting. I don't know why I (1/?)
thecraftinista
My brother lives there and my ticket was paid for...it was still an amazing experience...but never again. Thailand will be my next trip.
SolitaSoulSaysSi
Thailand is incredible. Go to Chiang Mai. Go to Koh Samui and see the Cobra Man. I'm glad Beijing was free for you. It's "worth" it, haha
thecraftinista
Luckily I wasn't in Beijing but rather Haikou which doesn't have nearly the pollution as Beijing or Shanghai.
SolitaSoulSaysSi
still live in Beijing. Side note, Avenged Sevenfold came to play earlier this month and I felt so bad for them. Not allowed to play a (1/?)
SolitaSoulSaysSi
ton of songs, and just being in smoggy air. Everyone has this idealized version of Mulan China, when the above photos are closer to truth.
blockatiel
Those people should just go to Taiwan instead. Beijing particularly is a shithole, Shanghai is a lot better.
SaucissonSex
The thing is they're doing in a 100 years what we did in 400... So it leaves tracks, dirty ones
holymopandbucket
I feel like this is our future...
SaucissonSex
We = the european countries
rebarter
Used to think that then realized it was a fallacy because they have the technology to not do this and choose not to.
P00pdalla
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2013/12/indian-pollution.jpg
ReLeVaNtUSERNAMESareReLeVaNT
With 10 times the population of the US had 100 years ago
creefer
And with what, 50 times the technology? Ten times the knowlege?
LizardEnterprises
(1/3) Yeah, I cant believe how many people criticize China for its environmental record from their nice cushy houses in the west.
LizardEnterprises
(2/3) And then get in their big fucking SUVs to drive 50 miles to an all you can eat steak buffet.
LizardEnterprises
China is trying to bring a billion people out of poverty and into the first world. They have more immediate problems than the environment.
busted88
Why do people have the impulse when they see someone else being shitty to remind us that we are shitty too? Honest question
GMasterFlex
the industrial revolutions were dirty but that was because the old technology was dirty. China is just being ignorant, they could be clean
theproudestmonkeyyouveeverseen
To say the problem is caused by China's ignorance is an ignorant statement in itself
EveryChickenInThisPlace
Yep, they want to sell cheaper, and so they don't follow environmental guidelines like everyone else. It's not because of time.
OfficialJimmieRustlers
In 3 years, Chine has used as much concrete as USA did in 100 years! Now let that sink in...
vanaman
Concrete sinks good.
OfficialJimmieRustlers
*China dammit
AssManProctologist
I liked the first one. Chine!
daellat
this would get you permabanned on 4chan btw
[deleted]
[deleted]
daellat
I meant the sinks thing
Berethian
Not to this extent, however. Not like this. Not on this scale. Not these horrors.
Berethian
Not to mention that we know, now. We didn't back then.
LizardEnterprises
Yes to this extent, however. Yes like this. The Cuyahoga River caught on *FIRE* for fuck sake.
violetblue
Bigger world, bigger economies. Gotta churn out even more stuff if you want to not only overcome your delay but also compete head-to-head...
violetblue
with the leading powers of the day. Sad, but I can't see it getting much better.
FisTacklz
maximinusthrax1
This is the biggest problem. People forget that the US and Europe went through our trash/pollution phase too.
X1rcu1ts
Some cities still have litter issues. I live in NYC and when I visit Boston, my first thought is: "Wow, it's soo much cleaner here."
EveryChickenInThisPlace
People don't forget how China could be following environmental guidelines.. but aren't! Don't defend this practice!
IWRITEEVERYTHINGINCAPS
IRRELEVANT. THAT WAS BECAUSE OF POOR TECHNOLOGY. CHINA COULD IMPROVE THIS GREATLY FOR VERY LITTLE MONEY.
demiandub
People forgot how it smelled in London or Paris a century ago or so...
Malkiot
The thing is, it was also a lot less people doing it here than in China.
Varroth
Although China is also alot bigger than France and London
DickTipPapercut
And how it still smells in NYC...
eetsumkaus
I'd hazard that NYC actually smells better than some of the seedier parts of London and Paris...it at least has a breeze to whisk it away
maximinusthrax1
Less than that even. I still hear rumors from folks who have never been to Paris that it's a smelly place. It's more recent than we realize.
swizec
I've been to Paris. Definitely stinkiest place I've ever visited. Smells like piss everywhere.
swizec
And that's saying something because I've also been to San Francisco, where human feces is a common sidewalk sight.
maximinusthrax1
hmm...very interesting...
Berethian
Nothing like this, though.
RageCuddles
The US still has some of the most polluted places on the planet. Look up the love canal or Picher. Those are recent history too.
ReLeVaNtUSERNAMESareReLeVaNT
Yeah but they have more than 10 times the population than US and Europe had a 100 years ago.
ElGrandeBanana
Smog literally killed thousands in London up until the '60s. This gives me hope that China can get their act together.
BrokeMyFunnyBone
Of course they can... do you see how efficient they are?
ReLeVaNtUSERNAMESareReLeVaNT
Yeah but china has more than 50 times the population of the UK did 100 years and more than 20 times today.
maximinusthrax1
They can and probably will. The big difference is scale. Industrialized China is a wee bit bigger than industrialized England.
howboutyadontladiesandgentlemenSCOTTYDONT
I think the scaling would require several million Chinese to die from air pollution. I doubt they'd let it get that far even..
pencilv3ster
But the Earf can't handle it this time :(
TanyaVilyats
That is still no excuse. People did not know the harms of pollution fully 400 years ago, but we do now.
MizMariah
Jeez.....Wow. But...but...all of our stuff is made in China, so...are we to blame too??
[deleted]
[deleted]
FoeOfFauxPho
We don't have a choice or we have a series of inconvenient choices that seem unimportant ultimately?
ramkanwar55
http://imgur.com/dR7mnxQ
sedated
Everyone wants cheap shit don't they?
MizMariah
true that
iwishjtmoneywasstillavailableitsmyoldvideogamemoniker
Yes because as consumers we don't care where it comes from or how it gets produced so long as we can save 10 cents on it at Wal Mart.
SchrodingersSchrodinger
I was scrolling away when I saw this and came back to +1. You are absolutely right. There needs to accountability on a world scale!
wbaxter
I try to buy as much stuff made in my country/other 1st world places as possible but probably does next to no good
saucytwatcrumpet
I believe it does help a lot!
NationalistCanadianMooseWarrior
It would help if we all did it, and a lot of people already do
GlitterInTheDarkNearTheTannhauserGate
The US is literally exporting pollution to China. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-us-exporting-coal-pollution/
Ginocide
First of all that's not what literally means, second of all coal producers have been trying to penetrate that market for years and (1/2)
goodasgold444
it's because they are businesses, they are going to follow demand. Not justifying it- it's just how it works. it's on the country in the end
GlitterInTheDarkNearTheTannhauserGate
I'm not blaming US either. The Chinese government seems to think that it's ok to sacrifice the environment for economic growth, that's wrong
goodasgold444
totally agree! I think that sometimes, it is necessary- we wouldnt be here without doing it. But there are limits for sure.
GlitterInTheDarkNearTheTannhauserGate
Sure, China is actually the biggest investor in wind and solar power generation at the moment. Really hope they don't screw up first.
elleyea
Yes. Some people actually make an effort to not buy stuff made in China
RizwanWeedMan
Haha +1!
SolitaSoulSaysSi
That's kind of what i think with poor factory workers. Even if we didn't buy it, the Chinese do (for a lot of things anyway). Huge market.
FisTacklz
DoctorConners
If it was built somewhere else we would still buy it
[deleted]
[deleted]
UNlCORN
Solid argument.
kamisan
I'm not sure that absolves us of the responsibility
RawSuger
...and would still be resposible for the condtions it was produced under in those places. yes, very true.
GingerTheBeard
yeah, no this is on everyone.
helpidontknowmyname
All of us need to stop buying cheap shit. Maybe there will be less of it in the Pacific garbage vortex, too, after a while.
neromaverick
And then suddenly China faces an economic crisis, who is to blame, in their eyes America...
faulerwulf
Also not everyone can afford such luxury as deciding to buy more expensive versions of the same product
Superdeluxrubberdux
Absolutely
MizMariah
Why are people downvoting you?!??! Ugh.
Superdeluxrubberdux
I'm never really sure why anything I post gets downvoted, or why things I post get upvotes either...
mktoaster
only if you don't understand economics
imgurschmimgur
It's crazy how 'economics' manipulates things. I put myself in the perspective of aliens looking in - and boy do we look dumb in many ways!
RawSuger
lol what?^^
Ginocide
No
InnocentValley
Have you ever thrown a sweet wrapper on the ground thinking "ah it won't do anything, it's just one wrapper"? Than yes.
RawSuger
looks at pics, looks at comment. there's a difference in scale here that makes this comment largely irrelevant tbh:)
InnocentValley
No. You get one wrapper, another, a bottle, a bag... It piles up. Just like the years of your life are piled up by insignificant seconds.
RawSuger
yeah i get what you're saying but to achieve the shit seen above you need industrial scale pollution, private citizens can only do so much
InnocentValley
If you wanna change the world, you gotta start with yourself. Just don't litter. Don't even think about it.
RawSuger
anyway. not important. just seemed a little odd to me:)
Grumblecorn
Awareness? Who wasn't aware that China is all kinds of fucked up?
MsMesss
This hurts my heart!
HitlersArtCritic
Nobody cares until they stop making the bullshit that comes out of there.
FisTacklz
shadowofacrow
When I lived in china, I saw rivers that were bubbling so much they looked like they were boiling.
ninjagaidensigma
People expect to see this shit from Africa but not (so much) from China.
whatwhatwhatwhat
I am from Hong Kong, I can confirm China is fucked up.
dudeonacid
it's mainly globalisation that is causing this. most of the stuff be buy comes from asia and we wonder why their environment is fucked up...
ZorkFox
I wonder what it will be like in another ten years when all their people are dying and there's no one to clean up the corpses.
xarmx
And most of your stuff at home were made in China
chinablue
Blame the politicians who allow import from that country that uses almost slave labor.
8hourgamer
They have a law where you can only eat tiger meat if it dies naturally, so they starve them to death. Yeah they are fake dup.
EveryChickenInThisPlace
Yea they really need some government restructuring, and some laws to help prevent this kind of pollution. It's all because of money though..
eggimage
Most westerners are still thinking china is a beautiful, burgeoning rising new star. As an asian grown up in Asia, I'm glad this was posted
ThatGuy112
I was taught China is a rising economic powerhouse, but its all sorts of levels of fucked.
88mixy
Which part of Asia? It's a pretty big place
eggimage
Sorry for not disclosing my country of origin. There are reasons for which I don't wish to share it. And I've Now lived in the US for 10yrs
themilkmancometh
North Korea best Korea ;)
HappyCakeDay
That country grow up too fast and they completely forgot about building an environmental infastructure
bluemofia
Well, basically every Western country went through that phase. Luckily, gone are the days where rivers caught on fire in the US.
baturinsky
Wchich country isn't this day? Except maybe Canada.
LitchLitch
pollution in the US has dropped to a fraction of what it used to be
BroboxylicAcid
Sorry for being the exception.
Thepotatoknight
Eh, its ok
HaniiPuppy
Norway's pretty much what I'd consider the ideal.
justiina
All Nordic countries are very clean.
Fla1lure
Small countries with little population or low density of people.
AwesomeTurtwig
Man imgur has a Canada boner.
Amythyst
Also an Australian wildlife boner, Mr. Chimchar.
thisusernamehasalreadybeentaken
My favorite kind, it's maple flavored
leelaatje
Switzerland. Ever been in Switzerland? Fucking pure country. It's glorious.
IamtheGreatQueenSnugglewombs
Depends on your definition of fucked up; neither Denmark nor Sweden is like as bad as in the pictures
baturinsky
It's not entire China. It's some of the worst places in it. What's Sweden worst places are?
[deleted]
[deleted]
monkeymuffins
Once you get out of the cities, China has some pretty amazing scenery. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5130780945_123dd850bd_o.jpg
monkeymuffins
http://imgur.c">/yi6zVaa">http://imgur.com/yi6zVaa http://imgur.com/lCuWvFO And this one's all Windows XP wallpaper-y. /gumGNVg
unitedhello
Canada has "chemical valley" there's a vice mini doc on it if you're interested. Not nearly as bad as this though.
addieye
Uh, go to Australia. 1 person per 1.5km^2 means little air pollution. (focus on that and ignore our problems)
monkeymuffins
Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world. And has one of the world's most air-polluted cities. http://imgur.com/bIGGVit
addieye
Huh. Well since all the major cities are located on the coast I'm sure the landscape and weather also do a lot to minimise smog. 1/2
addieye
Also I would presume the cars and location of industrial centres and powerplants would contribute. 2/3
mckayc
As a westerner living in China, I can confirm that most places are similar to what you see in these pictures (though not all the time and 1/
mckayc
not to this extent). I see people litter all the time. Parents do not stop their kids from littering. In many cases they tell them to do it.
Bent0916
There are so many people out there parroting, "China's the next superpower! Watch out West! It's coming for you!" They should see this.
violetblue
The implication being? They totally can still be fucking relentless with the environment and yet manage to outpace the western powers.
alltheleaves
in shear GDP possibly, but I really doubt the average Chinese person will ever have the spending power of an average american
degenerator
This is a variation on the Yellow Peril trope.
ahuehue
You should have seen London at the hight of its power. Or just 1952. google Great smog of london.
TheUpdootist
Right. Same with the US. Not long ago rivers were spontaneously combusting. Pollution like this has only recently been prevented in the west
ocegur
It definitely is. First power of a country is its people and they are 1,2 billion. Only big country unions can face that.
IamPrettyGay
What?
monkeymuffins
1.37 billion. That's a 127 million difference. That's the population of Japan. You've rounded down Japan from existence.
ocegur
My argument is made stronger, doesn't change anything.
Umbrius
Yeah maybe if china could somehow magically make enough weaponry to arm them. Otherwise you just have one in every couple thousand armed.
ocegur
Army isn't the source of power nowadays, it's the economy.
Umbrius
Sure but even then their economy relies nearly entirely on export.
zwartblauw
Exactly, it's a one-party state held together by corruption, they have eons of shit to sort out. But in a boom period nobody complains.
HappyCakeDay
That country grow up too fast and they completely forgot about building an environmental infastructure
sissichu
North Korea and Russia steals the show.
macstrat
i live here. and everyday i ask the same question: what the fuck was i thinking?
NotAnUberUsername
The chinese, if you see #5 they can't even see the problem
FreelanceSpermDonor
Who? Anyone that watches nightly news and thinks they've been informed. U.S. news ignores hellholes so they can make problems here seem bad.
chinablue
Insert some left wing looney now to tell us that 'FOX' news is the problem for not doing just that.
yourCleverUsername10
I knew about the smog or whatever, but i didn't realize how bad EVERYTHING really was D:
FurryFoxBoy
Honestly I had no idea China was remotely this fucked up
Warranty
I honestly didn't know it was like this.
chinablue
Since we only talk about how bad 'Merica is on imgur , I would say a lot of folks never heard about half of these problems.
REV076
Yes, all true. China knows these, and they are spending an incredible budget and effort to fix these up. You wouldn't believe, but 1/2
REV076
China probably has the biggest budget for renewable and green energy solutions on Earth now 2/2. Just give them time.
alltheleaves
you'd be surprised how quick big budgets can disappear into smoggy air in China. they've been making fantastic enviro claims for years 1
alltheleaves
and nothing's come of it yet. 2
yuanzhong
Give them time! They'll stop torturing people and take bribes from factories eventually. Same old song since 15 years dude.
REV076
I am talking about government's environment policy. If you want to make them stop taking bribes, stop buying iphones.
88mixy
Other than pollution, which can get pretty bad, China's not as fucked up as people think (I've been living in China for years)
ourgreatbenefactor
They just need something to circlejerk about.
McBeardy
*State approved message. Long live Mao Zedong.
88mixy
Ah yes, the options are I think China's a hell hole or I'm a commie. Let's ignore that it cut its poverty rate from 84% to ~10% in 30 years
McBeardy
wwwwwwooooooOOOOOOOOSSHHHHhhhhhhhhh
nypete007
Still though.... can't tell us it's OK over there.
[deleted]
[deleted]
gulplove
Yea...no
88mixy
Yup, I can
TheWheatOne
Relatively, in terms of physical pollution its horrific compared to other countries. That said, a lot of countries have it bad.
88mixy
Oh, you just mean the pollution? It's definitely bad, these pictures are extremes, but there are some days I just don't leave the house
ocegur
If you ignore politics, free press, free speach, corruption, and pollution, I guess it's fine.
88mixy
pollution, but considering they make a huge portion of the world's consumer goods, the rest of the world isn't blameless on that front (3/3)
GonzoDrifter
Yup
88mixy
Not everyone desires a Western style government, corruption has and always will exist everywhere but its getting better, average people (1)
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
You say that as if those things don't exist in our "western" countries.. we're just sneakier about it
ocegur
I don't know about yours but there's pluralism, free press, free speech and very few corruption that didn't get busted by the press already.
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
1/ I'm from the Netherlands, which is doing pretty well in these matters.. but plenty of governments are corrupted by corporate lobbyists,
88mixy
can and do say whatever they want, censorship of the press definitely exists, but it's different than you think, and they're working on (2)
TheEbbesen
Care to elaborate on the press censorship? - "Different than you think". Are you implying it's a good form of censorship?
88mixy
lose money or possibly get in trouble if they have to retract it. And there's no such thing as good censorship. (3/3)
88mixy
The rules on censorship are not clear or published, so what happens usually is that people/companies self-censor. There are in-house (1)
88mixy
people who say whether or not something would probably be acceptable, and they tend to err on the cautious side generally because they'd (2)
TheEbbesen
It also struck me that you only pointed out "average people" can and do say whatever they want. What about the "not-so-average"?
88mixy
speech policies, which while certainly are not ideal, they're also not as restrictive as most people imagine. (5/5)
88mixy
and that gives the government extra control over those people. My professors feel free to criticize the government during class, but they (3
88mixy
but tightening up again with Xi, because he's very party loyalty. To get many powerful positions, you often have to be a party member (2)
88mixy
Professors, journalists, people with influence have a lot more restrictions on them than other people. Things were a bit better with Hu (1)
88mixy
would never be free to publish something like that. China has no freedom of organization, which to me is more destructive than their (4)
ocegur
Could you guys let 88mixy express his opinion without downvoting it?
88mixy
Thanks man, I find it sort of ironic to be honest. And for people who are curious, I'm an American (liberal slant) who moved to China to
88mixy
And since you're polite, I'll add that you forgot what I think are most restricting to China's future, nepotism and internet restrictions
88mixy
study politics in order to better understand China and where it's going, I'm not just bull shitting you or some nationalist.
yuanzhong
Had you known which issues to raise, it'd taken you a couple of hours to discover the pertinent falsehood of what you say in this post.
88mixy
I've lived here for four years, studied at a top university, traveled, and yes, it is much better than most people think
yuanzhong
Pay a visit to my wife's professor then, he's in jail for meditating. Tell him how you love the country!
88mixy
black people get shot on the streets in America, every country has fucked up stuff, I'm just saying it's not as bad as it's presented (2/2)
88mixy
I'm guessing he's part of the Falun Gong and that's what he got arrested for, not the meditation? I'm not saying it's a perfect country (1)
shalviy
Hong Kong is pretty nice now actually, not that smoggy anymore. Beijing however...
blockatiel
Hong Kong is fucking dirty
HobbitHouse
Hmmm, I have a trip there in March...
Magster2004
The smog is so bad we get yellow dust here in korea.
VodkaReindeer
that's not smog though, it's yellow dust, as in sand?
Magster2004
It's a mix of sand, pollen, and industrial pollutants.
monkeymuffins
Yellow Dust isn't the same as smog. Yellow Dust comes from seasonal winds bringing in particles from the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts.
Magster2004
It contains industrial pollutants as well. It's hell on allergies.
Zipp4Real
No! Yellow dust is Kim yung un's glorious salvation wind! Its not at all dangerous. Its only the traitorous everyone else,who lies about it!
Zipp4Real
And no, i know that there is a South Korea and a Best Korea ;)
Zipp4Real
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f37K0hIv3zk
labrat
Yeah, I was thinking that pic of Hong Kong had to be a lie or really old. When I was there in 2006, it was gorgeous.
zacxean
HK ppl here. TBH, it is entirely depends on the weather. If it's only windy in morning for winter, it blows polluted air from china.
KirchoffsVoltageLaw
It still is.
OlMuskyTheMartian
China is growing at a pretty crazy rate... Automotive industry is also picking up over the years.
diuleiloumo
the picture is not old,exact opposite,that picture was taken in 2013
CrumblyCake
2006 was 9 years ago...
labrat
You don't say.
zacxean
not to mention how bad it gets in summer with all the tall buildings blocked winds from the ocean. :( I love HK, just not the weather
Ajnstajn
You just know your city is fucked when you have to put up a fake skyline
LoverOfPenguins
I lived in Beijing for six months. Some days you couldn't see the buildings across the street because of polution.
SolitaSoulSaysSi
Yeah, you literally just have to see how far away you can see as to whether you wear a mask or even go outside that day. Ugh.
poopjak
I worked on a construction site in Hong Kong. They would dump waste oil into the ocean rather than dispose of it legally.
rudejohn
I went to Hong Kong in 2012 and I'm going again in three weeks. The air pollution there is atrocious. I have to take Benadryl every day.
jankybiscuits
All that Koffing and Weezing...aaaand I'm gone.
percivaldanvers
I always thought it was ironic how left wing dictatorships ended up being way worse for the environment than anyone else
JaccoW
Extremism is bad either way. Though what would you consider right wing dictatorship?
percivaldanvers
They're much harder to define since leftism can be measured in ideological closeness to Marx/Lenin/Mao, wheras (1/2)
percivaldanvers
(2/2) there is no explicit "doctrine" of the political right. Regrettably it is somewhat discuss in 140 characters though.
ObiWanValJean
Oh man, when I went to Beijing, it was noon, and i thought it was pretty dark, must be a cloudy day. Looked up, didn't see a single cloud.
MVZLA
Yeah, went to China and Hong Kong last summer. We had terrific weather in HK and the air didn't seem dense at all. Beijing, though... yeah..
BearForceTwo
yeah about that... Hong Kong isn't doing so hot anymore
shalviy
wew lad. that comment was from 2015. Yea unfortunately HKG isn't doing so well now :(
legolass
Not to say this isn't true, but I went to china last month and I considered it to be one of the cleanest places I've ever visited
OverpricedCrayon
I have a friend thats lived there for 4 years in several places. Even he says its dirty everywhere. You must have been lucky.
blockatiel
where the fuck did you go and have you only visited african countries in the past?
legolass
Shanghai and Hangzhou, and Venezuela is the other one. But China is still cleaner than New York.
blockatiel
Nevermind, I see you went to SH. SH is very clean, for china. Leave the CBD and it's still dirty, though.
FisTacklz
EnergyFiend
Yeah, Hong Kong itself is kept much cleaner, but they do have to share the same disgusting airspace with all the Asian factories.
RollingInLaundry
I am proud of how hard Hong Kong is trying to make itself. Too bad someone's hovering and standing in the way of all this...
blockatiel
Oh whatever, most HK people couldn't give a fuck as long as they keep earning money from China, it's only students that want to change
howdoyouguyscomeupwithusernames
I went with my class to Beijing. Spontaneous nosebleeds...
bouncingpuppy
I also got asthma and had to use inhaler. I never have to use inhaler.
Royoyoy
I just went with mine to Shanghai. Pollution coughs were useful for finding lost classmates. "Where's Paul?" *HACK* "oh over there"
arbraxas
That happens when skirts go to high. Ooooh wait, thats Japan
GarrettStopMotion
Im glad im not the only one who thought that
Brepi
I had to come back to this to upvote it.
bigjoemonger
Going to school in the US you can always tell which Chinese students are fresh off the boat because they're still wearing their masks.
roguechikken
What's the cancer rate like there I wonder...
psmarie
I was there early this year, in June, it wasn't that bad.
marioparty2friendships
I'm pretty sure I would actually die if I went to China. Dirty air really fucks me up.
EchoOfSnac
I grew up in Alaska. I have lived in western Virginia for more than nine years now but the air pollution here is still noticeably intense.
nelshai
(2) On the worst days the 'smoggy' dust spreads all the way to Japan.
PokemonForLife
As a person who lived in the Mainland, and currently lives in HK, the air pollution is over exaggerated, sure the air isnt fresh like (1/2)
PokemonForLife
USA, but its not that bad, maybe once in a while u'll get fucked up. Its as exaggerated as 2chainz' stupidity, its all for show
PokemonForLife
JK CHINA'S FUCKED UP
ThatMomentWhenImgurJokesAreOnlyFunnyToImgurians
but I value my lungs
Maxemur
It was actually twice as bad here in Hong Kong than Beijing on Wednesday
hydrostability
I bet you haven't visited Beijing in years
ocegur
Probably because it was British between 1842 and 1997, so they skipped the communist part that slowed the rest of the country.
monkeymuffins
Yeah, because being British sure helped London skip the Pea Soup Fogs of 1873 and the Great Smog of 52 which killed 12,000 people. - __ -
OmegaTengu
Some people from hong kong still consider themselves as British citizens.
likeabakerikneadthedough
How did communism (state capitalism) slow down the world's largest economy? And what does communism have to do with HK now having less smog?
muciento
Second largest economy. USA, bitch.
likeabakerikneadthedough
2nd largest= USA. Bitch. http://uk.businessinsider.com/china-overtakes-us-as-worlds-largest-economy-2014-10?r=US
mmurrbles
The worlds second largest economy http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/21/us-china-growth-premier-davos-idUSKBN0KU28O20150121
likeabakerikneadthedough
http://uk.businessinsider.com/china-overtakes-us-as-worlds-largest-economy-2014-10?r=US
mmurrbles
The method used in that article focuses basically only on purchasing power and ignores capital. It is really is a poor way to evaluate.
sinbios
Before the 80s it wasn't state capitalism. The shit Mao put the country through slowed down development considerably. http://imgur.com/scK8X
likeabakerikneadthedough
Yes, it was. Communism is where you have people owning factors of production, not state. By what indicators did that slow development lol
sinbios
(1) No, it wasn't. China was specifically *anti* state capitalism before the 80s, they saw the Soviets as state capitalists and that's part
sinbios
(4) discussing modern China's economic history further. You're just embarrassing yourself when you ask by what indicators did a complete
sinbios
(3) economic development? If you're not familiar with these events I suggest you read up on postwar China's political history before
sinbios
(2) of what caused the Sino-Soviet split. And are you really asking how the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution slowed China's
sinbios
(5) disaster of an economic policy that killed 40 million+ people slow down development.
nelshai
It doesn't. Technology is what stopped HK having so much smog. And tech simply takes awhile to change for somewhere as huge as Beijing.
monkeymuffins
Beijing is also screwed geographically, surrounded by mountains, trapping in smog. Hong Kong is an island facing the South China Sea.
nelshai
That is also a valid point. It's also right in the dust path from the western dust bowl so even before industry existed it had dust problems
likeabakerikneadthedough
What kind of tech??
nelshai
Cooling tower CCS, better filtration/catalysis, biofuel blends and carbon-efficiency minimums, higher energy efficiency in general, etc.
nelshai
(4) layoffs would occur. So they'll wait for the prices to drop on the tech due to waning demand from the already-upgraded Western industry
nelshai
(3) If they created production facilities for such things supply would exceed demand around the world after several years and massive-
nelshai
(2) They're all becoming fairly common techs and methods found across the West but it is taking awhile for China to catch up.-
dennnnnis
Actually the pollution came from mainland China because of winter.
dennnnnis
so if you want to visit Hong Kong without any smog, then I suggest going in the Summer.
whatwhatwhatwhat
Summer is hot as fuck. If you do wish to visit, I'd recommend late August to November. The weather is nicer, not so hot.
WhoTheFuckisGavin
Yep, I fainted once from the heat in HK while visiting family.
villlllle
Luckily not many people live there.
dogdr840
they should get smaug to help them.
eetsumkaus
smog?
dogdr840
Smaug the terrible. http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Smaug
eetsumkaus
can I just call you dude?
dogdr840
yeah fine with me, i will be your dude.
whydoihavetocreateausername
Isn't Hong Kong in Japan, not China??
itwasadarkandstormynight
awww true ignorance deserves upvotes, people! +1!
supremecx
Oh wow. robertdowneyjryoujustwentfullretard.gif
YouAreADumbass
Congratulations!
Spearka
uuuuhhh, has nobody told you?
blackletum
http://media.giphy.com/media/5xtDarlissC0XGtaF5C/giphy.gif
KaiserFredVIII
Not since 1945.
FreshCaviar
Jesus, downvoting this poor dude for being bad at geography. I gotcha a +1 buddy.
whydoihavetocreateausername
Hahaha thanks, I'm a girl though :)
FreshCaviar
Sorry! Usually -70/80 is like Edward Macaroni Fork levels of retaliation. I guess you ran into the 80 diehard Bruce Lee fans of imgur.
whydoihavetocreateausername
It was an honest mistake.. just need to work on my general knowledge a bit.. everyone is so serious on here :'D
whydoihavetocreateausername
Oops haha, guess I was wrong :'D
itwasadarkandstormynight
that's the spirit
Ballsack23
Aww everyone is being so mean
T0n1ka
Haha at least you're being a good sport about it!
whydoihavetocreateausername
Yeah :) at least I've learnt something :)
BrokeMyFunnyBone
Super wrong
hardtochoose
i think one thing is sure, you are from america! :D
SirPelvisJohnwood
I don't think Japanese has words ending in -ng.
FreshCaviar
Nope. ん is the only Japanese character that ends in a consonant sound, and it's not -ng.
EveryChickenInThisPlace
Yep, nn as in hnnnnn, not ng as in hnngg
RaZorwiresc2
Feels harsh to downvote this guy a million times for a mistake like this.
whydoihavetocreateausername
girl*
RaZorwiresc2
Feels harsh to downvote this guy a million times for a girl like this.
owlest
not sure if trolling, or American.
itwasadarkandstormynight
I'm American. that was funny. +1
OGFZ
Laughed but downvoted for being an asshole
whydoihavetocreateausername
I'm actually from the UK
pjdonkey
Oh. You don't even have being American as a defense. Did you go to a religious school maybe?
whydoihavetocreateausername
Yes! YAY I'm off the hook!
jvjanisse
not sure if trolling.
CheesyG117
don't breed
whydoihavetocreateausername
it was just a mistake, jesus christ.
CheesyG117
it was just a joke on the internet, jesus christ.
whydoihavetocreateausername
it wasn't very funny (: but I understand it was a joke.
[deleted]
[deleted]
whydoihavetocreateausername
because points don't matter :'D found out something new so I've got that going for me :)
KaiserFredVIII
latter is so common most people just assume it is the only option available.
KaiserFredVIII
Ya, ignorance in itself is not bad, insisting on ignorance due to pride or just to be an asshole is what grinds my gears. Unfortunately the+
Megghead
I went through and up voted all your comments in this thread, hopefully you come out on top in the end :)
whydoihavetocreateausername
I actually have surprisingly :P ended up with more points than before :D