Toxic environmental secrets will lead to more conflict

By Wang Wenwen Source:Global Times Published: 2013-2-25 23:28:01

Amid the mounting public discontent in China over the country's worsening pollution problem, the term "cancer village" has once again come into the public eye.

A map, which draws over 200 villages deemed as "cancer villages" by the country's environmentalists, has been gone viral online. These villages, in various parts of China, are said to have higher incidences of cancer due to air and water pollution.

The term "cancer village" has been readily used by China's activists over the past few years to raise the awareness of the Chinese public of the soaring cancer rates and deteriorating human health. In 2009, investigative journalist Deng Fei mapped out dozens of "cancer villages" in the middle and eastern part of China.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection(MEP) has acknowledged such villages do exist, and the poisonous chemicals which pose a risk to the environment and human health are used by local industries.

For a long time, local governments have been focusing on GDP growth while paying little attention to the environment. The enterprises' bosses by sacrificing the environment have made huge profits. But there is almost no way to hold them responsible. Officials who ignored the environmental problems and focused on GDP growth have been promoted.

Take those living in Jiangsu Province. Jiangsu is the cradle of development of village and township enterprises, and its development model has played a prominent role across the country. However, the pollution that comes with this kind of regional development didn't attract enough attention from authorities, making it one of the most serious regions linked to "cancer villages" on the map.

City dwellers also face a sad story. As urbanization accelerates, more Chinese have been surrounded with polluted air as well as sturdy and dull reinforced concrete. At the same time, they are shocked to find out that their longing for a rustic environment in the countryside has been doomed by the emergence of "cancer villages."

The Chinese public and media have noticed Chinese authorities' rare move in admitting the existence of "cancer villages" and the linkage of pollution and public health. But that is far from enough. On Monday, MEP has reportedly refused to disclose the country's earth pollution data due to the "secrecy" of the information.

The data may be sensitive, as its disclosure may cause social problems. However, authorities should acknowledge that it is difficult for the public to make accurate judgment of the safety of the environment simply based on their own five senses. Hiding information that the public has the right to know may cause more tense conflicts.



Posted in: Observer

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