Beijing shutting down tomorrow....

[wolfdancer]

On July 20, 2008, China’s busiest city, Beijing, will shut down. All construction will be halted. Cement production will stop. The quarries around the city will close their gates.

Even coal plants, which provide 70% of China’s energy, will cut production by 30%.

It’s not a religious holiday. It's not a national celebration. China’s economic engine hasn’t blown a gasket.

It’s the 2008 Olympics. It starts on August 8, 2008: just 21 days from now.

But the Chinese are shutting down early to clear out the smog. In fact, they're shutting down Beijing on July 20, 2008.

The eyes of the world will be watching. And Chinese officials are terrified of what we’ll all see – air pollution. A thick dark cloud that hangs on Beijing like a specter.
(Sounds like Los Angeles)

[mike60]

Wolf, I like this quote from your post:

The eyes of the world will be watching. And Chinese officials are terrified of what we’ll all see – air pollution. A thick dark cloud that hangs on Beijing like a specter.
(Sounds like Los Angeles)

The Chinese Government, are worried that visitors won't be able to see. Burning eyes and respiratory distress are very common around all Chinese cities. Los Angeles is much improved from the 1950's. I remember not being able to see the Crest Highway from town in those days. And in Pasadena you couldn't see the mountains 10 miles away. Much better today.

mike60