Censored Chinese Air Pollution Documentary "Under The Dome"

Under the Dome — a new documentary which examines air pollution in China — has sparked international dialog about the importance of keeping our air clean. The film attracted 150 million views shortly after China Central Television’s newscaster, Chai Jin, posted about the film on the internet. However, the Chinese government instructed websites to take down the film after it went viral on the internet, assumedly to prevent any more harm to their image. But it was too late.

(NOTE: Youtube embeds of the complete "Under The Dome" documentary with English Sub-titles can be viewed on this page - scroll down.)

China’s energy infrastructure is built around coal, which is one of the main reasons why air pollution is so pervasive throughout the country. No other country in the world emits as much sulfur dioxide. And it’s not just China that experiences the effects of these dangerous emissions. When China creates goods for exports to the United States, they are also exporting harmful pollution (nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide) to America’s west coast. In addition to the air pollution, China’s rivers are also experiencing severe crises. In the Shanxi Province, 88% of local rivers have been polluted, and 62% of them now unusable. One river in the Zhejiang province in eastern China was so polluted, it caught fire when a lit cigarette was thrown into the water.

By bringing awareness to these situations, Under the Dome triggered a significant reaction from many in the Chinese government, who have proposed an energy saving strategy aimed at reducing emissions, while also setting national standards for the release of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Notable figures, such as the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang, and the Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Chen Jining, have also spoken in response to this documentary, in favor of putting environmental concern at the forefront. President Xi Jinping has even promised to strictly punish those who violate environmental laws.

Perhaps the best solution long-term is boosting alternative energy production. In comparison to a fossil fuel, such as coal, alternative energy sources like wind, biomass, hydroelectric, solar, and geothermal energy emit significantly less carbon. In November of last year, China and the United states agreed to use alternative energy sources to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Advocates for free-market systems insist that alternative energy is more readily available in deregulated markets throughout the world. Regulated markets (such as the one in place in China and many states throughout the U.S.) are dominated by a single company, commonly known as a utility, which owns the infrastructure and is responsible for distributing the energy to the end-users. Regulated energy systems are not conducive to cleaner alternatives being adopted, as the dominant companies don't have a financial incentive to invest in modernizing their infrastructure. However, in deregulated markets, competing providers are allowed to buy the power and sell it directly to consumers. American states that have deregulated their energy markets, such as Ohio, have seen alternative energy becoming readily available to citizens who can now buy the power from the energy companies and gas companies of their choosing. Consumers can compare prices and shop for cheaper energy from any retailer that does the business.

With so many resources and alternative energy increasingly available, there is no excuse to do any more harm to our environment. Documentaries such as Under the Dome can and will spark international concern over our environment and well-being, inspiring many to take action and take care of the Earth and its inhabitants.

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