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Photo contrast of Xi’an tourist attraction—Big Wild Goose Pagoda on Oct. 24th when it was sunny and clear and on Dec. 18th shrouded in heavy haze.

On Dec 20th, a composite photo stringed by anonymous netizens caught many people’s eyes. It was a composite photo produced by putting two photos of Big Wild Goose Pagoda taken on different dates, displaying a huge contrast before and in haze. On Oct. 24th, the famous Xi’an tourist attraction could still be clearly seen on the photo with some grey buildings hundreds of meters behind it, however, on Dec. 18th, it was totally veiled by the pollution haze as if artificially erased from the landscape. The photo was amusingly surprising, but at the same time it also evoked the hazy Xi’an we have seen in recent months.

Ever since October last year, this ancient city, once glowing with profound historical heritage and colorful cultural corners, has been greyed by the toxic haze. Masks in citywide pharmacies are sold out and continuously out of stock. Heavy haze turns into a great barrier for smooth traffic and brings about a huge risk against citizens’ safety and health.

In last December, air quality index soared sharply from 99 on 16th to 278 on 17th, 494 on 22nd and 500 on 25th, and finally settled itself down around the level of “Gravely Contaminated”.

Days after the photo sensation, another group of composite photos followed suit by put in line the similar scenes on today’s Xi’an snack streets, crossroads, public squares and of the London life in the last century, which bore remarkable resemblance.

Composites to compare today’s Xi’an and former London in the last century

Environment pollution primarily results from unsustainable and excessive urbanization. In recent decades, China has been processing on a rapid development road. The governments have consecutively bolded “urbanization” on their agendas. However, successful and beneficial urban development relies on harmony and balance between human society and natural ecosystem. The fact is that speedy urbanization has been shattering our complete and once peaceful nature bit by bit. Nowadays, it has been transformed to a landscape ragged and spotted.

In 2012, “On Economic Problems” published an article co-authored by Liuchi, renowned lecturer from School of Economic SCUEC and Zhong Shuiying, professor of economics from Economic and Business School of Wuhan University studying relationships between urban development and urban environment pollution. It illustrates the intimate correlation and reciprocating impact between them as well as the contradictions arising from slow environmental technology improvement and industrial structural adjustment.

Heavy industry plays a significant role in promoting urbanization. Such industries as refinery, oil & gas exploration, petrochemistry contribute to great convenience in human life, but they also bring severe pollution to us. At the meantime, their advances demand more from power supply companies, which will exhaust more contaminants.

Besides, urbanization expands cities in space, thus prolonging citizens’ daily commuting time and increasing exhaust emission from both private cars and public transportation. The increasing population migrates into cities. To some degree, it deteriorates the consequences above.

Even though measures have been taken and regulations implemented, incomplete environment protection mechanism remains impotent and ineffective. China’s geological disadvantages further hinder environmental reformation.

Accordingly, it is imperative for us all to stand against the haze and pollution with practical, effective and scientific measures. Sustainable development will not only satisfy present human needs, but also lead to human sustainability in the long run. Enterprises should all devote to sustainable development in order to erase the grey veil from sky, turn the filthy rivers clear and clad the earth with green coat again.