Media and Environmentalism in China

China’s oppressive hold on her citizens’ social media usage has often been highlighted, especially in limiting dissent, social unrest, and criticisms towards the government. However, one facet of criticism that cannot be denied or censored is within environmental issues - especially air pollution. Air pollution, specifically PM 2.5 (particulate matter at 2.5 micrometers), which seems to characterize China’s urban landscape within this decade, is an easily observable, undeniable phenomenon - not even authorities or media outlets can hide its existence. As such, air pollution and environmental concerns are often trending on China’s social media such as Weibo (China’s version of Twitter), articles sent out over WeChat and are often the subject of open discontent against the government.

Seen above is a snippet of a taxi driver’s conversation with a radio station host in Shenyang, which is currently the center of an air quality crisis. The taxi driver is complaining because the smog has impeded visibility so greatly, that he ran six red lights. This vocal has garnered official response - though not in the usual penalizing way, we expect of the Chinese government.

As air pollution is a nationwide phenomenon caused by factories’ burning of coal, the government has responded with more environmental laws and a government agency, the Environmental Protection Bureau to handle these complaints directly. These environmental laws have been a launchpad for

Chinese civil society to directly influence government policies and help grow China’s small but thriving litigation sector as lawsuits against violating companies increase. As we see another airpocalypse in Beijing, which has reached red alert this winter with PM 2.5 at 291 micrograms per cubic meter, we can surely expect further civilian dissent over social media, and perhaps more drastic solutions from the Chinese government.

#politics #media #environmentalism #china #socialmedia #airpollution