If this performance was meant to express disapproval of China's carbon emissions policies, it should be considered an act of pure hypocrisy. It would be like killing and stuffing a family of elephants to populate a museum diorama aimed at exposing the atrocities of poaching.
Here's why:
From other news sources, we know that the artist performed this stunt four hours each day, for 100 days. Let's assume the artist was using an industrial vacuum cleaner with a 1.5kW motor, powered by a standard Honda EU2200i generator. This system would burn through a gallon of gasoline (its full capacity) in about four hours at load. So, based on the duration of the performance, we can safely assume that the artist consumed approximately 100 gallons of gasoline total -- a little more than two barrels-worth of crude oil.
If that's not enough to make my point, let's think about what this means in terms of carbon emissions. A brief search reveals that these small Honda generators emit about 1.5 lbs of CO2 per hour. This means that the artist generated 600lbs of C02. That's about 85 clay bricks worth of carbon emissions.
I am not saying that this performance was ineffective -- It seemed to inspire some conversation of important topics. We must acknowledge, however, that each of us, even those who make the loudest claims of environmentalism, are responsible for the impact carbon emissions. It is not an issue of government alone.
1
I've seen photos of lower Manhattan in the first decade of the 20th century, and the sky was black. That was before soft coal was outlawed. For sky's to look like those in Beijing, now, in the 21st century is shameful & I think their leaders are aware of that - fortunately.
1
Doesn't this illustrate what it would be like in major US cities without clean air laws and regulations? The republicans rail against "business killing regulations." Many (most?) would do away with the EPA. What about people-killing unregulated business practices?
14
Americans who attack the EPA and pollution controls should spend a week in a Chinese city. I've spent time in Beijing and the pollution is horrifying. Buildings just vanish into an ugly gray fog and you can only see a faint outline of the sun on some "sunny" days.
11
#1 market for Wyoming coal! Go pokes!
Yes, the pollution in Beijing is bad, but anybody who knows their history realizes that such pollution is an inescapable byproduct of rapid industrialization. Read about London during the Industrial Revolution, or Pittsburgh during the 40's/50's/60's. The pollution was just as bad.
In Beijing's case part of the problem is also related to the natural geography. Beijing is surrounded by mountains on the north and west, but has prevailing winds from the south, which trap the pollution against the mountains (much like LA in the past). When the wind shifts direction, and blows down from the North, the pollution disappears almost instantly (If you look at the US Embassy's monitor for today, you'll note that the AQI went from 400+ down to 50 in a single hour this morning when the wind shifted).
In Beijing's case part of the problem is also related to the natural geography. Beijing is surrounded by mountains on the north and west, but has prevailing winds from the south, which trap the pollution against the mountains (much like LA in the past). When the wind shifts direction, and blows down from the North, the pollution disappears almost instantly (If you look at the US Embassy's monitor for today, you'll note that the AQI went from 400+ down to 50 in a single hour this morning when the wind shifted).
1
You seem knowledgeable of the situation in Beijing. What do you suggest then in the form of solutions - let it be since the wind shifts regularly? what about the 'on' times? Thanks
So what if the "pollution disappears almost instantly" SOME of the time? Having to breathe this air even SOME of the time has devastating health impacts. Also, the comparison to previous eras is misguided because we now have the technology to make power, industry, and transport cleaner. London and Pittsburgh's booms were fueled entirely by coal. We don't need to burn 100% coal anymore. I legitimately believe China wants to tackle this problem, but for some reason Beijing can't seem to stop the provinces from building new coal plants. So much for authoritarianism, I guess.
1
Pretty sure that the electricity to gather his smog particles added more to the problem then what he has to show. Art Hypocrisy.
By that logic, no one should have traveled to Paris for the summit because it contributed to the world's pollution.
Bringing attention to this in a creative way has value.
Bringing attention to this in a creative way has value.
11
The vacuum was battery-operated.
We are complicit. We speedily buy disposable items, and we want them at the lowest cost. Thus, our dependence on China. Change is not only about building "greener" factories, machines, and cars. It's equally about addressing our greed for more.
9
How ironic the AQI threat level isn't the much deserved "red", but "orange", coincides with Xi Jinping's visit to Paris climate talks.
Better to put your people in harms way than to confront the embarrassment of harsher finger-pointing.
Code Red would also require mandatory implementations that inevitably slow the economy, like removing half of all vehicles off the street and shutting down coal-fired power plants.
Better to put your people in harms way than to confront the embarrassment of harsher finger-pointing.
Code Red would also require mandatory implementations that inevitably slow the economy, like removing half of all vehicles off the street and shutting down coal-fired power plants.
5
Yes. Log into Aqicn.org which reports the air quality index. Suddenly they have stopped monitoring PM2.5 in Beijing after it shot past 600, well above the top of the scale for hazardous. Now they're reporting that air quality is "good" - but omitting that crucial measure. Even on US Enbassy site? Why did they stop measuring and reporting it? Coincidence with Paris talks?
5
Because the slightly inconvenient truth is that by the time this article was published, Northwest wind had blown all pollution out of Beijing and currently the city has blue skies and a lower AQI than Switzerland.
While pollution is portrayed as a permanent problem in a lot of media, it is actually varying widely, mainly depending on the weather and wind situation.
While pollution is portrayed as a permanent problem in a lot of media, it is actually varying widely, mainly depending on the weather and wind situation.
2
The question isn't whether the AQI ever drops to "lower than Switzerland," but how often it does. Are you really OK with living with this level of pollution even part of the time? My workplace has a Beijing office and I can tell you my colleagues certainly don't agree with you there.
2
We toured China in spring of this year.
The "low pollution" season.
We never saw blue sky in 3 weeks.
The "low pollution" season.
We never saw blue sky in 3 weeks.
5
The first reaction I have after reading this report is appalled - the level at 500 to 1000 for the PM2.5 particles means you are literally breathe in particles, toxins, and chemicals with less than 2.5 micrometer (1 micrometer is one millionth of a meter) as thick as in a sealed smoking house. These particles can directly travel to your blood stream and organs. The environment in Beijing or large part of China is filthy and harmful to anyone who breathes there!
And yet, no Chinese, not a single one, dares to raise his or her fist and protest! They just go on like nothing ever happened.
The today's airpocalypse in China is the direct result of the Chinese disregard of its people's right and also the rules for WTO. And yet, we hear nothing from these who have benefited the most from "Chinese economic development".
And the IMF still "encourages" Chinese economy by giving China the SDR status (see the IMF head Christine Largarde's response at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/business/international/china-renminbi-..., even you cannot still directly trade or exchange the Chinese currency!
The air pollution is just one consequence of the madness going on in the world. You will wait to see other types of pollution coming out to you from China soon and landed at your door steps (see the report: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/nyregion/john-ashe-top-united-nations-...
And yet, no Chinese, not a single one, dares to raise his or her fist and protest! They just go on like nothing ever happened.
The today's airpocalypse in China is the direct result of the Chinese disregard of its people's right and also the rules for WTO. And yet, we hear nothing from these who have benefited the most from "Chinese economic development".
And the IMF still "encourages" Chinese economy by giving China the SDR status (see the IMF head Christine Largarde's response at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/business/international/china-renminbi-..., even you cannot still directly trade or exchange the Chinese currency!
The air pollution is just one consequence of the madness going on in the world. You will wait to see other types of pollution coming out to you from China soon and landed at your door steps (see the report: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/nyregion/john-ashe-top-united-nations-...
3
I'm not sure how Jianguo Xiongdi translates into Brother Nut. Yes Xiongdi = Brother but Jianguo (a popular revolutionary Chinese name , if i my guess of tone is right ) is literally "build country"
1
If you'd take a look at the Chinese article, linked right below the title of the article, you'll see that he is 坚果兄弟, not 建国兄弟.
It is plausible that he chose this nutty pseudonym because of its likeness to the patriotic name.
It is plausible that he chose this nutty pseudonym because of its likeness to the patriotic name.
Dear Ken
Jian in first tone and guo in third tone mean nut. Check your mandarin please
Jian in first tone and guo in third tone mean nut. Check your mandarin please
1
He may be onto something.. particulate matter into building material. Does it scale up?
1
I just wonder what that city's children of today will look like in 30 years, and what wonderful respiratory illnesses and health problems they'll be facing.
And maybe in 30 years time that level of pollution will be the norm internationally. I would love the world to come to its senses that although, yes, we enjoy driving new cars and having shiny plastic thingamadoodles in our houses, its ok to say that cash is not our only capital, and that social capital and environmental capital are more important that squeezing out the last bit of profit in every industry. We can always reboot an economy, but I'm not sure how one reboots the earth.
And maybe in 30 years time that level of pollution will be the norm internationally. I would love the world to come to its senses that although, yes, we enjoy driving new cars and having shiny plastic thingamadoodles in our houses, its ok to say that cash is not our only capital, and that social capital and environmental capital are more important that squeezing out the last bit of profit in every industry. We can always reboot an economy, but I'm not sure how one reboots the earth.
4
Also cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, which have been associated with air pollution...
1
Most likely like the children who grew up in London in the 70s where pollution levels were way worse than Beijing today?
The smog in Beijing is incomprehensible to people who don't live in or have never visited such an environment. I've been there and it is like you're on an alien planet in a scifi movie from the 50s. Sunrise and sunset look surreal, as does midday. After spending time outdoors, you return with this layer of yuck on your skin that you can't wait to wash off. The only time I saw the blue sky was for a few hours after it had rained. It is not a pleasant experience at all.
7
This is a product of unregulated industrial development; unregulated means bribed to look the other way. In any case, it is tragic for Beijing and other polluted cities in China. When I visited there, Beijing had clean air; the Great Wall was beautiful with views for miles; the Forbidden City was clean. The Yangtze was still a place where people fished, and river boats traveled up and down with tourists. China has a Central Government completely unresponsive to its citizens. I think those who would like to protest are afraid of being shot. The rich and the middle class with funds are leaving, settling in Los Angeles, and applying for citizenship. When you lose your middle class, you are no longer a successful country. Such is the new China.
4
I am sure it was nowhere as bad, but NYC in the late 70's was pretty awful. I remember coming home after a day out and blowing my nose, and the mucus was black. Sorry that is so gross, but it is true. LA was pretty much the same, although the sky had more of an orange cast to it.
Thankfully, both cities are much better now.
Thankfully, both cities are much better now.
When you cant breathe, nothing else matters.
6
Brother Nut in Peking seems not to understand that by running an industrial strength vacuum cleaner to perform his art work, that he is as responsible for producing the pollution in the brick of his as if it had emerged wholly formed from his large intestine, and sideways.
Unfortunately, the act of polluting the air with his electric vacuum using up coal fired electricity, only seems to have pained the Chinese in general and not, as if he had produced the brick by ordinary digestive means, himself alone.
There is an infamous and unusually evocative New England expression regarding precisely how painful and under what unnatural and terrifying conditions such a brick might emerge from a person, and just how painful it is, when it comes out: sideways-always sideways.
Unfortunately, the act of polluting the air with his electric vacuum using up coal fired electricity, only seems to have pained the Chinese in general and not, as if he had produced the brick by ordinary digestive means, himself alone.
There is an infamous and unusually evocative New England expression regarding precisely how painful and under what unnatural and terrifying conditions such a brick might emerge from a person, and just how painful it is, when it comes out: sideways-always sideways.
I have declined expenses-paid invitations to Beijing because of the pollution. You literally couldn't pay me to visit.
18
I lived in LA in 1969, and the smog there then was horrible. I was in Beijing in 2003, and the pollution in the air made LA look like a green space. I truly feel for the people who have to live in Beijing. Many have no idea of what is happening to them. The scale of suffering the Chinese have endured is mind boggling. Let members of Congress breathe that air for a while and maybe then they will see the point in supporting the Presidents work in Paris.
48
I understand your feelings, but carbon dioxide emission has little to do with the smog in Beijing.
1
You are kidding, right?
You seriously have to be kidding.
Did you read the article?
In any case, there's no such thing as "local" on this planet. Pollution can and does travel. It can be emitted in one country and rain down on another.
We are, literally, all connected.
You seriously have to be kidding.
Did you read the article?
In any case, there's no such thing as "local" on this planet. Pollution can and does travel. It can be emitted in one country and rain down on another.
We are, literally, all connected.
8
"Much of that smog originates from the same coal-fire boilers, vehicle exhausts and industrial plants that pump out carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas."
Seems as if they correlate.
Seems as if they correlate.
4
Does he have a measurement of the dust collected, e.g. the weight? How much clay was added to make the brick?
3
And today the IMF granted enhanced status to the renminbi, China's currency - proof that, even if her citizens cannot breathe, the economic engine generating air the Chinese can chew is making someone wealthy.
15
What is wealth to someone who may not be able to hold on to it and who may end up in prison because to it? When children must leave their native country in order to be secure in their own rights to own even a car. In China everything can be clawed back by the state--it is more akin to living in Ancient Rome, where such royally inspired confiscations became a daily occurrence even before Augustus' descendents , and the wealthy feared the ruler and his cronies far more than they feared common cut purses and old ex soldiers who might rob them in their luxurious villas, built on land expropriated from the local peasants.
China's party is the now the inheritor of the Japanese occupiers and the Mongolians of the war years, and all the perquisites of the bloody handed rulers of the Co-Prosperity Sphere, which it claimed to be replacing.
China's party is the now the inheritor of the Japanese occupiers and the Mongolians of the war years, and all the perquisites of the bloody handed rulers of the Co-Prosperity Sphere, which it claimed to be replacing.
Having recent(2 months ago, experience of flying above and south of Beijing, the dense brown sector of sky off to the north could easily be seen, even at over 30, 000'. Much sadness is felt for the people caught in that soup. The medical bills are going to start coming in early across the board as even children will be sufferers. With the present shortage of children to take care of aging parents along with the fact that all ages are being hit, I am afraid that a time table will show that China is fighting an unwinnable battle. They have won the battle to pull the country out of financial disaster but now must pay a price more dear than being swamped in poverty, that of being swamped in mass illness across the country. The big question is whether India continues on its and China's trajectory, with China to receive the pollution from India, that now is blown off to the west from China.
The plight of Singapore and Malaysia from the smoke off Indonesia points that the smoke from an industrialized India would be headed up toward China. I send a sincere plea to the leaders of China to take corrective actions while it may still make a difference in the lives of the young children. Asia, as well as the west, has too many people in the northern hemisphere for any nation(s) to not cut back. China's smog has been well traced to Oregon and Washington, USA. Will China now trace that from India and Pakistan? Will the people long for the old days when they only had 900ppm?
The plight of Singapore and Malaysia from the smoke off Indonesia points that the smoke from an industrialized India would be headed up toward China. I send a sincere plea to the leaders of China to take corrective actions while it may still make a difference in the lives of the young children. Asia, as well as the west, has too many people in the northern hemisphere for any nation(s) to not cut back. China's smog has been well traced to Oregon and Washington, USA. Will China now trace that from India and Pakistan? Will the people long for the old days when they only had 900ppm?
6