Bogus Data Masks Scale Of Pollution Woes Facing China

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Bogus_Data_Masks_Scale_Of_Pollution_Woes_Facing_China_999.html

by Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Dec 28, 2006

Soaring pollution levels in China may be even worse than thought because
local governments bent on economic growth are lying about their progress in
meeting environmental goals, state media said Thursday.
Data reported by China's regional governments indicates a national goal to
reduce China's two main pollutants by two percent in 2006 has been reached,
but calculations by the top environment watchdog show they actually grew
two percent, Xinhua news agency said, quoting an environment official. "The
figures on pollution control reported by local governments dropped
remarkably this year, while the real environmental situation continues to
deteriorate," said the unnamed official with the State Environmental
Protection Administration (SEPA).

"The inaccurate figures were caused by insufficient supervision of the
local governments and possible fabrication."

The two pollutants are chemical oxygen demand, a measure of organic
pollutants in water, and sulfur dioxide, Xinhua said.

The official's comments mark the latest in a series of alarms by SEPA,
which has said central-government efforts to curb the environmental damage
from China's chugging economy are being overwhelmed by the local pursuit of
economic growth at any cost.

Major Chinese cities are routinely enveloped in choking smog so thick it
affects air travel and SEPA has said half of China's rivers are severely
polluted and one-third of the country affected by acid rain.

Billions are being invested to upgrade environmental facilities and
penalties for violations are being increased.

But collusion between industry and local-level officials, who often have a
financial stake in economic growth, is hindering progress, SEPA has said.

"Illegal small chemical plants, paper and leather mills are still being set
up. Many outdated technologies, which should have been replaced, are still
in use," SEPA Director Zhou Shengxian said in a report on Tuesday to
China's legislature.

He said environmental offices in China's far-flung provinces are
undermanned, poorly equipped and their staff face harassment and demotion
by higher-ups.

SEPA plans to send teams to the provinces to examine the local statistics,
Xinhua reported.


--
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but
because of those who look on and do nothing."
-Albert Einstein



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