Toxic Linfen

If you thought Pompeii had it bad, then you've never heard of Linfen. Ever since the coal mining industry stripped the fertile soil and beautiful crisp air from Linfen twenty years ago, Linfen has been a cage of toxic air. The neighboring mountain chain have long been shrouded in Linfen's thick smog but conspire to trap the smog so no fresh air can blow the smog away. the burning coal, the factory exhaust and the pesticides farmers dump on their crops all mix to settle the smog in it's new and (perhaps) permanent settlement. Twenty years ago Linfen was known as "The Modern Fruit and Flower Town" but now its known as "The Most Polluted City in the World." The view in Linfen seemed apocalyptic; dense smog creates the gloomy Victorian Era slums while the air rains ash. Most citizens linger here for the good economy, grasping onto the distant hope that the environment will get better. For now, thousands suffer from respiratory diseases. Luckily the government ordered the deconstruction of illegal coal mines, improving the air quality dramatically. The summer is better, less coal to be burned. The winter, however, is as heartless as it looks. When the country is relying heavily on coal for warmth, the air is almost absent of oxygen. Many over 60 die of lung failures and sicknesses. The citizens seem fine with Linfen. Many are still outside snacking on apricots and hanging out on the sidewalks. Nowadays, many citizens are aware of how bad the toxic air of Linfen is and now they are using many methods to reduce coal consumption. Many recycle, pick up litter and a truck sprays water onto the streets to keep the dust down. Some building even have solar panels. The Linfen a year ago is gone and the more healthy and clearer sky welcomes Linfen again, hopefully, for good.

The health of citizens in Linfen are a part of biology. Linfen shows how having a booming economy doesn't always mean your environment looks like the French Alps. For twenty hard years Linfen has been killing itself with the smog created from pollution. But now, the citizens are taking action. By making small changes; such as recycling, reducing, and reusing, they are a perfect example of how small changes in using things can have a wonderful impact. Now Linfen can see some clear (and very beautiful) azure sky. It's a good lesson to everyone who wants to make a difference in their environment.

Linfen's toxic smog filled air is an important lesson to us on how bad air pollution can get. While many have died of respiratory disease the remaining people begin making changes. No, they won't be able to get rid of coal just yet but by reducing the other products (plastic, trash, etc.) they are able to see some blue sky. Even though it's not much, it's enough to shine hope onto Linfen and other polluted areas that one day they will be able to see blue sky everyday. That way, their children can brag about how Linfen has changed.