CIHAF 2007 11 Dec 07 – energy waste

Posted on 22 December 2007 by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

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That’s “China International Real Estate & Arch-tech Fair”, held in the China International Exhibition Center, an exhibition to show real estate projects and new technology for energy conservation and environment-friendly construction.
As usual famous Lao Fan (aka Gilbert) had to brighten up the row of dignitaries to cut the opening ribbon, showing off his new 2007 EU tie from the Portuguese presidency plus his gray hair. Took the opportunity to drag along some other laowais who (still) feel thrilled to be on stage, Hirio Ottino and Daniel Petrich. (does not look like it but both speaking français, vraiment).
Got to chat with Wu Zhongze, vice minister of the Ministry of Science & Technology, who was the VVIP.

Never saw so many journalists who pushed and shoved to make pictures and shoot film. A bit puzzling.
The exhibition showed some of the advanced products like real good isolating windows, Canadian wood, etc. Leaves me always skeptic as Chinese construction still lags behind to make buildings really energy friendly.
The waste of energy is enormous and few seem to care. All this blabla about saving energy and green buildings makes me tired. A good start would be better temperature control – overall non-existent. Don’t be fooled by the high-tech looking thermostats, they serve no purpose but for the vendors to do business. Central heating systems have no control at all and just pump hot water to the point the only way is to open the windows, what is the mostly used high-tech approach. Don’t try to close down the radiator, you might end up with a flooded room and a piece of rusted iron in your hands.
Same for the air ducts who spew out hot, dry and polluted air. Forget “control”. Example: PowerHouse Gym.
Just taking care of the above could save 20 to 40% of energy consumption in Beijing. And bring clear skies.

Pollution standards in China

Posted on 11 November 2007 by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

in Consumer & Environment Issues 2 Comments

Ever wondered what is “acceptable” in terms of pollution? Well, depends where you are. Residents with good memory will recall when China Daily was regularly publishing pollution data of major cities in China. Suddenly, what was “poor” became “much better”. Tweak tweak.
Then, as it became really too ugly, no more publications. Gone.
On the other hand, China Daily does not hide it all. See here what they published in October, comparing WHO standards with Chinese one.

I let the graphics talk for themselves. Clear (and worrying) enough.
I also found this statement from economist Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize:
“Global warming is now at a serious stage, and greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Europe is concerned, but the USA does nothing and refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol. All China’s power is based on dirty fuel, and China’s emissions will become worse and worse. Next to follow is India. So, now three nations have joined the club. The real problem is lifestyle. And now China is aping America’s wasteful lifestyle”
Of course, he is just an economist. How can he understand.
But let us put it all in perspective, With all the talk about China and consuming “all the oil”, see here a graphic just published in the IHT.

Needless to say(?) China has 1.3 billion people versus ??? in the USA.

Birds Nest, pollution and construction

Posted on 9 November 2007 by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

in 2008 Beijing Olympics, Consumer & Environment Issues Leave a comment

I participated in the IOC World Conference in Beijing at the end of October, more about that some other day. It was not exactly “a good day” for Beijing. The whole IOC top management experienced the horrendous pollution. API levels shot up to 300 in some areas. Some days later the index went even higher.

Kind of difficult to say all is well when the Beijing Airport is closed due to the pollution. The other pic was taken around the same period, 3rd Ring Road looking south from the Sheraton Hotel. The PTFE roof of the National Stadium is now also becoming visible, filling up the gaps between the huge steal beams.

See also pics taken from about the same location but on a real nice day, just a couple of days later.

Returning there for another conference I was amazed with the speed of construction. Suddenly, out of nowhere they had build a large part of the bridge that will connect the 4th Ring Road with the side road of the Bird’s Nest. Only in China really.
Of course the massive construction is one of the causes of the pm10 pollution, partly due to the trucks and partly due to the construction dust.

Beijing Marathon: I give up

Posted on 28 October 2007 by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

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Since 2003 I have looked at the Beijing Marathon as the personal challenge of the year and to show the spirit of the Olympics.
Well, 21 October was the last one. Frustration and disappointment. Morale at a low. Now looking at other cities. Maybe I still try the half marathon next year.
Why? Simple. Running in Beijing is for suicidal people who want to ruin their health forever. My Chinese doctor told me, with 5 bronchitis this year only: don’t run outside in Beijing anymore. My bronchi are busted, loaded with the Beijing pollution (dust particles). See earlier entries in this blog.
When I see people jogging in this city I feel pity for them. One day they will realize their foolish enthusiasm has ruined their lungs.

John & Gilbert still fresh – the start – barely able to walk

The ANA Marathon was a disaster despite improvements in the organization. There was water at all stations, emergency services were all fine. Printing of the individual results was reasonably quick despite the long queue. The departure and arrival area however were a nightmare. Of course the “leaders” who just come to show their face on TV won’t notice that. After arriving (exhausted at least) you need to walk several Km before you ever manage to reach the exit and your pick-up car or taxi (good luck). Pathetic.
The sky looked “blue” for those ignorant people (e.g. in That’s Beijing) who cannot see the pollution. Official API figures were at 100 – the WHO limit is 50. For me, it looked even worse.
The new itinerary was awful. Each year the race is held at the same time – when the Party Congress takes place. But this time, no more departure from Tiananmen (by the way the most polluted spot in Beijing). The 42 Km were mostly through city roads, clogged with traffic, including the 4th and 5th ring roads, alongside thousands of cars stuck in a huge traffic jam and with running engines. Foreign athletes complained about the “dirty air”.
I had done a successful training run in Shunyi on 1 October – over 32 Km in 3H 18m, in very clean air. I was tired but no major problems and went to two weddings the same day. I felt good.
On 21 October after Km 26 my hip muscles gave up, with excruciating pain. I finished the last 15 Km walking, finishing in 5h 1m 1s – over 30 minutes more than last year. My friend John who had gone through rigorous training should have finished in 4 hours. He too got busted at Km 30 and finished in 4h 34. Leah did great, half Marathon in 1h 55m 58s.
Reason: pollution seriously affects the oxygen intake by the blood, the muscles don’t get the needed oxygen and get busted by lactic acid. Can also be “the heavily polluted tunnel run” (carbon monoxide attaches to the haemoglobin 10 times more readily than oxygen).
Hein Verbruggen (IOC) told me running the New York Marathon was probably worse. Poor guy, got his figures a bit wrong (maybe the Chinese ganbei?). NYC is better on its worst day than Beijing is on its best day. Why doesn’t he run the Beijing marathon?
Well, he got some taste of the pollution anyway. During the IOC Conference in Beijing the API pollution level shot to over 200 in many locations. Qianmen, as usual, scored highest at 299.
Don’t worry, during the Olympics NO pollution. But every other day – stay inside, close the windows, install air purifiers. Smoking is optional. But no running.
Click on the following link to get the picture gallery:
http://homepage.mac.com/bjprc/PhotoAlbum10.html

World Trade Center Beijing – smog and progress

Posted on 17 September 2007 by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

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See here pics taken from the Capital Tower (Capitaland – the Olympic Exhibition on the 26th floor) on 15 September.

Tower 3 seen from another angle. Construction is proceeding fast, Beijing speed. Again, admire the pollution. Pollution levels (API) were over 130 yesterday when I ran 14 K in the gym. Today, coughing. I wonder how I will do to run my 25K in the next days. Disheartening, you do sports for your health and you screw up your lungs.
Don’t tell my wife, she does not like the idea of me running the Beijing Marathon on 21 October. Good she does not read my blog.