Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar (part 2)by Tsengelmaa Nyamdorj | 09-11-2019 22:47 |
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 As winter comes knocking on our door, every coal burn signals the end of a young boy's life in the ger district of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Sadly, coal-caused-lung cancers and heart failures are the primary cause of death in children aged 0 to 5. Then, where is media coverage that was calling for the difference when the crisis hit Beijing? It is nowhere to be found. Only a few people are aware of this atrocious situation that another day with no sun, heavy smog, and poignant smell of coal is normal for many Ulaanbaatar residents. After all, is there a way to fix the situation? There are two hopeful solutions that can change everything. First, capping further migration from rural areas to the capital city to stop mass concentration might seem like an apt solution. But it will violate the right to move freely, cracking the recent and rather fragile constitution of the democratic government of Mongolia. So, that is a no. Second, the government promoting the use of refined coal by introducing tax cuts and social advocacy might sound right. However, they have tried it, yet people are still using raw coal with more calorific value and toxic pigments because of shortages in technological advancement and capital supplies to upgrade the value and reduce the price of coal. So both assumed-plausible solutions to air pollution in Ulaanbaatar are crossed out as many low and middle-class families have no choice but to migrate to the capital city with their gers (not connected to any electricity, water, or heat) due to financial incentives, and then use the cheapest way to make a living (burn cheap coal). On the brink of giving up, I encountered an amazing result that tells a much different story from mine. According to the study, due to constant efforts from the government, October 2019¡¯s PM 2.5 concentration was 22% lower than last year¡¯s. Which shed light on many Mongolians as it signaled a better future. However, we are currently waiting in distress as the recent development might be a temporary one because it is only November and the concentration reduction might be due to warmer weather and less-frequent stove firing. Let us pray that Mongolian citizens can enjoy the free air just like everyone else; let us hope that I was wrong to think that there is no way to escape from the fog. |
