China limits cars to clear the air
Beijing has put drastic measures into effect to decrease pollution in the city for the Olympics. But how effective are the efforts? Lisa Chow reports.
Afternoon traffic flows along Beijing streets on smog-filled day. Anti-pollution measures put in place by the government aim to clear the skies before the Olympic Games. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
More on International, Asia, Sports
TEXT OF STORY
Stacey Vanek-Smith: Another aspect of fuel has China concerned: Air pollution.
Beijing started drastic smog-control measure over the weekend. It's part of a last-minute push to clear the air for the Summer Olympics.
Lisa Chow reports.
Lisa Chow: It's a two-month plan in which drivers take turns using their cars. Only odd-number license plates were allowed on the streets today.
Officials estimate this rule will take more than half of Beijing's 3.3 million cars off city streets.
Timothy Hui works for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He says it's too hard to know whether this experiment will clear skies.
Timothy Hui: If people wish to feel with their eyes and nose about the improvement of the air quality, we will have to cross our fingers for better natural environmental conditions.
Today's sky was a faint blue and the sun came down through the haze.
In Beijing, I'm Lisa Chow for Marketplace.
Comments
Comment | Refresh
Post a Comment: Please be civil, brief and relevant.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. All comments are moderated. Marketplace reserves the right to edit any comments on this site and to read them on the air if they are extra-interesting. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting.
You must be 13 or over to submit information to American Public Media. The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party. For more information see Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.