Chinese Businessman Sells ‘Canned Air’, As Pollution Returns To “Hazardous” Levels
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A Chinese entrepreneur has begun selling fresh air compressed in soft drink cans to fellow residents in Northern China, reported Fairfax Media on Tuesday, claiming that he wanted to make a point on China’s worsening air pollution, which rose to “hazardous” levels again this week – according to the latest readings.
A Chinese entrepreneur has begun selling fresh air compressed in soft drink cans to fellow residents in Northern China, reported Fairfax Media on Tuesday, claiming that he wanted to make a point on China’s worsening air pollution, which rose to “hazardous” levels again this week – according to the latest readings.
Chen Guangbiao, whose wealth is valued at $740 million, told Fairfax Media that many of China’s entrepreneurs were now “sacrificing their descendants” for the sake of short-term profits; warning, “if we don’t start caring for the environment, then after 20 or 30 years our children and grandchildren might be wearing gas masks and carry oxygen tanks.”
“I’ve worked in environmental protection industry for a decade … and I bear witness to the fact that pollution is getting worse and worse,” he said.
[quote]”More disasters are taking place every year… 2012 did not bring the end of the world but if human beings keep consuming resources, keep polluting the environment, I think Doomsday will arrive.”[/quote]Although Chen has been accused in the past for using high-profile charity causes to raise the image of his company, he insisted that the criticism did not affect him.
“People say I am high profile or love to stage a show, but I don’t think those who seek ‘stability’ and a low profile can do much for social progress,” said Chen, adding “I am confident about what I do and I dare to put it under sunlight.”
Among other stunts he have pulled over the past few years include giving away 5000 bicycles to encourage people not to drive; while the 45-year-old businessman also famously paid for a full-paid ad in the New York Times, denouncing Japan’s territorial claim over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
Chen, who is ranked as the 223rd richest man in China and the 4th most generous philanthropist, is reportedly selling his ‘canned air’ for 5 yuan ($0.80) each. The air comes with atmospheric “flavours” including pristine Tibet, post-industrial Taiwan and revolutionary Yan’an.
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported that air quality index readings on Tuesday morning were at a “hazardous” level of 495 for PM2.5 particles. PM2.5 particles are considered among the worst pollutants in the world; and the present levels are more than 18 times what the World Health Organization considers safe.
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The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center has advised city residents to stay indoors as much as possible, as the pollution is expected to persist due to the lack of wind.
Tsinghua University sociologist Li Dun, who specialises in environmental studies, told SCMP that the resurgence of smog, from levels experienced just two weeks ago, should serve as a wake-up call to the public, showing how bad air quality can become when little is actively done to remove the pollutants.
“Any concrete solution could only be formulated via broader access to air quality information by academics, as well as in subsequent public debates,” he said.
[quote]”What’s even more important is that policymakers learn to anticipate potential pollution problems before coming up with macroeconomic plans; otherwise it might just be too late, and there’s too little we can do when the air is bad.”[/quote]Watch: Video On Beijing’s Smog
