Among the 74 major cities monitored for PM2.5 concentration last year, only six including Kunming, Xiamen and Lhasa met the national air quality standard. In 34 cities, the PM2.5 concentration was more than twice the national standard level, with even cities like Chengdu and Nanjing, which many experts consider "livable", having serious air pollution problems.

Many people expect the government to take strict measures to make Chinese cities truly livable. But going by the government's plans and promises, the air quality in most cities in North China can meet the national standard only by 2030. This is a long order. So it is time local governments across China followed the example of some cities like Beijing that have pledged to take more emission reduction measures to meet the national air quality standard by 2017.

The burning of coal, which plays a vital role in China's energy structure, is a key source of air pollution, with emissions from heavy industry and the growing number of vehicles being the other main sources. So reducing the use of coal and cutting emissions will reduce air pollution, right? Perhaps not, because that cannot be done in a short time, although Beijing and its surrounding areas such as Tianjing, and Hebei and Shandong provinces have taken specific measures to reduce the use of coal. But since most of the other provinces, especially Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, are ambiguous about reducing the use of coal, air pollution is likely to continue for some time.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection, however, asked local governments earlier this month to submit their plans to reduce air pollution during Spring Festival. This may underline the importance of traditional culture vis-a-vis environmental protection in China. Some experts, nevertheless believe that despite being important, traditional culture should adjust to the demand of the times. This is to say that, setting off fireworks should be controlled, if not totally banned, if it threatens to worsen air quality further.

The good news is that an increasing number of people are ready to forego the joys of setting off fireworks during Spring Festival in exchange for cleaner air. Let's hope people limit the use of fireworks this Lunar New Year and the government announces more long-term policies to curb their use and make Spring Festival an eco-friendly celebration.

The author is a Greenpeace climate & energy campaigner.

(China Daily 01/30/2014 page9)