The New York Times reports that the National Academy of Sciences has released a scientific finding on air pollution. It finds that people in the northern part of China have their lifespans shortened by an average of five years compared to residents of southern China. The reason? Heavy air pollution caused by the massive proliferation of coal-fired electrical power plants. The north is industrializing to a greater extent than the south, accounting for most of the difference. There are also greater hydroelectric resources in the south.
The study was conducted by four scientists: two Chinese, one American, and one Israeli. The study, examining records over a 20-year period from 1981-2001, may actually understate the effect, since many more plants have been built since then. Such statistical analyses over twenty years and encompassing a large population make clear the heavy human cost of specific developmental choices.
The message is clear: cost-benefit calculations must include more than just direct economic factors. They need to extend to such factors as medical, life-expectancy, water and indeed all human and environmental costs associated with any contemplated course of action. That would show the true cost of some seemingly cheaper developmental options.
No comments:
Post a Comment