Airpocalypse in Harbin

Last week, Harbin’s API reached levels forty times above the safe level recommended by the World Health Organization. What does this mean for students studying at CET Harbin? Luckily, last week many of us were traveling for our fall break, but our teachers, friends and a few unlucky students were trapped in the city during Harbin’s “airpocalypse”.  One Harbin resident said he hasn’t seen pollution like this in his thirty years of living here.

The “Airpolcalypse” in Harbin made international media headlines, and many of my friends and family sent me alarmed and concerned messages. I was grateful to be out of the country for the worst part of the smog crisis, but even though the worst pollution has subsided, Harbin’s pollution problems are far from over. I was shocked that when I stepped off the plane in Harbin I was welcomed by a hazy sky that dimmed the sun and thick, cough-inducing smog. After receiving messages from my friends that the pollution disaster in Harbin was over, this is not what I expected. Pollution here is a relative term. If you can see the person you are talking to, then it’s a good day.

But beyond the undeniable scientific evidence that the smog in Harbin is still a serious health hazard to its 10 million residents, the deteriorating health of some CET students is further proof of the severity of the situation. One CET student who was planning on studying here for two semesters is considering moving to a different city in China in order to avoid the breathing problems and chest pain he is experiencing. We have also stopped exercising outdoors, and being late is now not only a threat to your attendance grade, but to the long-term health of your lungs! I ran to the subway yesterday, only to spend the rest of the evening coughing like a smoker.

The most frustrating aspect of the situation is the lack of discussion or action regarding the incredible environmental and health consequences of such unprecedented levels of pollution. Most Harbin residents that I’ve talked to simply don’t feel like there is anything that can be done to resolve the problem and even the Harbin Institute of Technology Green Union mentioned nothing about the smog issues during their weekly meeting.

I think what Harbin needs right now is a heavy dose of sixties, hippie-style environmental activism. Hopefully, the heavy international media coverage will put pressure on Chinese lawmaker to take some serious actions against China’s growing pollution problems. And if you know anyone studying at CET-Harbin, you should definitely put an air filter in their next care package!