Air quality in Taichung
I have lived in Taiwan for years. I have noticed a growing trend with air pollution in Taichung to be specific. I love Taiwan and do not want to leave, but I, as well as other foreigners (and Taiwanese), have grown very concerned about our health.
I have even had a Taiwanese friend try to figure out if Taichung can be sued for getting him sick via air pollution. This kind of lawsuit has been done in China.
I see a growing anger among people because of the air quality and lack of action by the government. There was even a report early this month about a foreigner who came to study in Taichung but left immediately because of the pollution he saw.
Here are a few concerns that I have regarding policies and I would like to know the steps that are being taken to make the air quality better for everyone. This is in response to a previous conversation with the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) stating how the traditional joss paper burning is respected. I understand that it is a tradition, but traditions are bad and good. This happens to be a very bad one. I am willing to support my reasoning.
First, a government’s one and really only job is to protect the people. Burning joss paper and increasing air pollution is not doing right by the people — especially in open burning barrels, which are everywhere in Taichung. The police do not enforce the rule of no open burning barrels.
I understand that temples have a little safer and controlled way to decrease toxins in their burning spots. Make burning on the street illegal. Religion belongs in the temple, especially when it affects the entire population. I can show many papers and studies proving that the chemicals cause cancer. Please check the data for air quality in the morning of Sept. 5 and then the afternoon when all the burning was happening. It is not acceptable.
Second, as the EPA has said, it respects the tradition of burning joss paper. However, what about respecting my right to clean air?
I should not feel uncomfortable because of this tradition. It is not only me as well. There is a younger Taiwanese generation that feels the same way. Why are we uncomfortable and putting our health at risk for this tradition?
Third, burning paper money contains toxins and carcinogens. I will not stand by and watch as this is allowed by the government to make me and my future family here sick. I already have to wear a mask living here because of poor regulation and poor energy choices. Scooters go around all the time blowing black smoke and no one says anything or stops them. All a police officer has to do is sit at a morning market and hand out tickets for pollution. Then you have the burning on top of that and firecrackers. I can provide many sites and scientific papers showing the harmful short and long-term effects of this tradition. I also ride a bike everywhere to not contribute to the problem.
However, I see very few actions to improve people’s quality of life.
Fourth, even China has banned this tradition because of its effects. I do not think asking people to burn their paper money at a specific place is unreasonable, but responsible.
Finally, I see enforcement being the major issue in Taiwan in general. There are not many law enforcement or honest inspectors. It seems that they are relying on people to report others, which is not our job. I do appreciate the Web site and reporting factories, but this falls mostly on the government enforcing their rules. I have read a lot of laws and they are mostly adequate. There are fines and regulations on paper, they are just not enforced or checked in real life.
If this is not fixed there will be no hope for any air quality in Taiwan. The only answer is to vote people into office who will regulate and hold people responsible.
What is going to be the future policy about burning joss paper?
I have spoken with the EPA and they say that they have given alternative ways to have people burn their money. Obviously, going down any street during burning days it is not working. The negative health effects are so great, why allow this to happen? I am also clearly stating that people will get smarter and blame the government for the bad air. First, they will do this to make money, and second, to fix the problem.
Why not push renewable energy, such as solar for individual houses. I own a house in Taichung’s Taiping District (太平). However, I cannot put solar panels on right away because of the law regarding legal roofing structures.
This law is silly and is only used to control power from the government. If that law is repealed and people can provide power to themselves as well as into the grid, there will be less coal burned and better air. There are multiple organizations that stress this as well. I would even support nuclear over coal because as you construct a new power system, you could have clean air.
I understand the government implements alternatives, but not as well as it should be done. It is not enough. I knew nothing of these alternatives before I started to research in depth the issues. They must be promoted better and if the recommendations are not met, a punishment must be enforced.
I am tired of being punished as my house air quality goes to purple as my neighbors (what should be illegally) burn money outside their houses instead of at a temple. I am not against it, I just want people to be environmentally conscious and limit the damage they do to others.
James Baranishyn
Taichung
Education for life
The primary purpose of education is to prepare students for life. Requiring students to memorize classical Chinese texts instead of improving their foreign-language skills, such as English, Japanese or a Southeast Asian language in line with the government’s New Southbound Policy is a waste of time and effort.
In the US and New Zealand, compulsory education places importance on developing each child’s unique potential. Having been guided by their teachers and communicated with fellow students, teachers and their parents over a number of years, high-school students in these countries already have a clear understanding of their own aptitude and skills. This means they are able to develop to their full potential, are industrious and hard-working, and contribute more to their country and society.
Taiwanese students need to learn how to speak and write fluently in everyday language — an essential skill required by employers, but which will also be of immense benefit in their future lives. The vast majority of students will not be able to make a living out of classical Chinese. Let us hope that Premier William Lai (賴清德) is able to reform Taiwan’s education system so that it can catch up with the rest of the world.
Huang Tsai-yu
Taipei
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