2016年CRI Beijing authorities mobilize to contain pollution as city issues red alert for smog

 

Worsening air quality in Beijing prompted authorities to activate¹ the red alert around 4 pm on Friday, December 16th, 2016, several hours ahead of the original plans. This means vehicle restrictions³ are now in place.

Rong Jun is with the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transportation.

"The odd-even driving scheme means a decrease of about 35% to 50% of private cars in the streets, according to the data we collected during previous vehicle restriction² periods. About 500,000 more passenger trips are expected to be made with the ground public transportation every day during the alert active period."

Forecasters are warning the heavy fog is going to stick around for at least the next four days, meaning the odd-even license⁴ plate restrictions are likely going to be in effect through at least Tuesday.

Red is the most serious in the government's four-tiered color-coded system, followed by orange, yellow and blue. A red alert is only issued if the city's PM2.5 count reaches 500. Four consecutive⁵ days of heavy air pollution, with the index reading over 200, can also activate a red alert. Two days of the PM2.5 index readingabove 300 will do the same.

PM2.5 density⁶ in central Beijing hit 253 shortly after 4pm on Friday, prompting officials to make the move to "red."

Beijing environmental authorities inspect the suspension of construction work at a site in the city's Fangshan District on December 16th, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Du Yue with Beijing's Municipal Public Transportation Authority says even they have to make adjustments.

"Under these conditions, we have to make moves based on what we can accomodate, and what we have available. During an alert like this, we want to put as many energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buses on the roads."

Beyond vehicles, all road and outdoor construction in the Chinese capital has been shut down. Those caught breaking the rules face stiff fines.

Until the alert is lifted, Beijing's kindergartens, primary schools and private training schools are also shut down.

Forecasters are suggesting the main reason for the heavy smog is a lack of air flow. Warmer than usual temperatures in recent days has kept pollution from dispersing⁷. A weak frontal system is expected to land in the Beijing region on Tuesday. However, forecasters are warning it probably won't be enough to completely knock down the heavy smog, giving the capital only a slight respite⁸.

The "red alert" is expected to be lifted by Wednesday, December 21st, 2016.

1 activate   

vt.使活动起来，使开始起作用

参考例句：

• We must activate the youth to study.我们要激励青年去学习。
• These push buttons can activate the elevator.这些按钮能启动电梯。

2 restriction   

n.限制，约束

参考例句：

• The park is open to the public without restriction.这个公园对公众开放，没有任何限制。
• The 30 mph speed restriction applies in all built-up areas.每小时限速30英里适用于所有建筑物聚集区。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

5 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

6 density   

n.密集，密度，浓度

参考例句：

• The population density of that country is 685 per square mile.那个国家的人口密度为每平方英里685人。
• The region has a very high population density.该地区的人口密度很高。

7 dispersing   

adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• Whereas gasoline fumes linger close to the ground before dispersing. 而汽油烟气却靠近地面迟迟不散。
• Earthworms may be instrumental in dispersing fungi or bacteria. 蚯蚓可能是散布真菌及细菌的工具。

8 respite   

n.休息，中止，暂缓

参考例句：

• She was interrogated without respite for twenty-four hours.她被不间断地审问了二十四小时。
• Devaluation would only give the economy a brief respite.贬值只能让经济得到暂时的缓解。