Since the beginning of this year, 8 dust storms have swept through Beijing, China, leaving the sky hazy and covering the city with a light brown dust veil. Experts predict that these dust-laden winds may continue to wreak havoc until Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympic Games.
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| A dust storm in Beijing in 2006 (Photo: AP) |
Recently, an American environmental expert identified the causes and solutions to this situation. He stated that China needs to limit the over-exploitation of natural grasslands for livestock grazing, which is a major cause of increasingly severe dust storms.
At a recent press conference in Beijing, American environmentalist Lester Brown announced that dust storms ravaging western China and the Inner Mongolia desert will continue unless the number of grazing livestock in these areas is reduced, allowing grasslands to regenerate.
Beijing officials had previously proposed a plan called “Blue Sky,” aimed at ensuring a green, clean, and beautiful 2008 Olympics. However, this plan is currently threatened by the dust storm situation. The number of days with clear blue skies in April of this year was less than 12, falling below acceptable average levels.
