Beijing likely to fail air quality goals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-31 06:35 Environment officials have
warned Beijing it is highly unlikely that the city will hit its target of 238
"blue sky" days this year.
The capital needs at least 22 such days per month from June to December to
achieve its aim.
"It is indeed very tough (to have over 22 'blue sky' days a month)," said Du
Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau for Environmental
Protection.
Beijing saw only 11 "blue sky" days, or days with fairly good air quality,
April, the least in five years, Du said.
From January to April, Beijing reported only 51 "blue sky" days, 16 less than
the same period last year, he said.
Despite 22 clear days by Monday this month, Du showed no optimism.
"We are still confronted with a severe situation in achieving the 'blue sky'
goal, and we call for joint efforts of all citizens to reduce the emission of
pollutants," he said while promoting a latest city-wide campaign of "no car day"
to clean up air pollution.
More than 200,000 drivers from about 100 Beijing automobile associations have
been encouraged to leave their cars at home at least one day a month to ease
traffic jams, reduce noise and improve air quality. Motor vehicle emission is
the leading cause of the city's air pollution, Du said.
There are more than 2.6 million motor vehicles in Beijing, and increasing by
more than 1,000 a day, Du said.
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