Air Pollution in China Responsible for People Dying 5.5 years Earlier than the National Average

today..

From Mr. Lalloobhoy Battliwala

Breakneck growth chokes. "Mr Li estimates the shorter life expectancy identified by the study in northern China is equivalent to reducing the workforce there by one-eighth."

Not quite true. Economic growth and rising incomes permit better health care, greater productivity, and contribution to longevity. So the net cost may be much less than this alleged reduction. Or even negative.

"It shows how high the cost of pollution is in terms of human life – and that it is worth it for the government to spend more money to solve the pollution issue, even if we have to sacrifice growth.”

Gibberish.

Source controls will not affect aggregate growth; just ban small coal users, shut down old plants and factories, and give incentives for boiler/furnace switch to gas and electricity (INCLUDING coal fired electricity) and early retirement of locomotives and vehicles.

When would environmentalists develop a holistic picture of costs and benefits? I suppose so long as gullibility is as bad as pollution.

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In News

CNN Money, June 9th, 2013
Air pollution cuts life expectancy by 5.5 years in China.

USA Today, June 9th, 2013
In China, air pollution report brings despair, humor.

Wall Street Journal, July 9th, 2013
Air Pollution From Coal Use Cuts Lifespans in China.

New York Times, July 9th, 2013
Pollution Leads to Drop in Life Span in Northern China, Research Finds.

Washington Post, Junly 8th, 2013
Coal pollution in China is cutting life expectancy by 5.5 years.

Financial Times, July 8th, 2013
China smog cuts 5.5 years from average life expectancy.

National Geography, July 8th, 2013
Coal burning shortens lives in China.