It’s official: pollution costs equal 10% of China’s GDP, costing the country more than US$ 200 billion a year, according to the State Environmental Protection agency. That’s pretty bad. At least the government is becoming more aware of the cost caused by the enormous industrial development and is honest to come out with the figures. Hopefully its plans to tackle the crisis will bring results.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong a report estimates air pollution costs the city US$ 2.73 billion a year – mainly because of the hospital bills and lost productivity. The level of air pollutants are said to be 3 times higher than the WHO guidelines and would be a cause of foreigners leaving.
I wonder what the situation is in Beijing. Better not to think about. Difficult when one looks out of the window. I often wonder living here is acceptable for my physical (and mental) health.