Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Explosive Growth in China Causes Explosive Pollution Problems

    As China strives to be an economic colossus, hundreds of thousands of people are dying prematurely from un-breathable air and contaminated water. During next summer's Olympics , auto traffic and manufacturing will be curtailed in greater Beijing, and nearby coal mines may be shut down.

    • rss
    • Share
    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    As China strives to be an economic colossus, hundreds of thousands of people are dying prematurely from un-breathable air and contaminated water. During next summer's Olympics, auto traffic and manufacturing will be curtailed in greater Beijing, and nearby coal mines may be shut down. American athletes may be housed in South Korea and flown to Beijing only to participate in their events. The International Olympic Committee says the marathon and other endurance contests may be postponed altogether. But the basic problem remains, that of mind-boggling expansion in the world's most populous country with few controls on waste and emissions. What does it mean for the rest of the world? What's China trying to do about it?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    China, the Olympic Games and Environmental Pollution
    1. 1:35United Auto Makers Strike after Negotiations Break Down
    2. 7:20Explosive Growth in China Causes Explosive Pollution ProblemsYou’re reading this
    3. 42:36LAPD Chief Apologizes for Police Conduct at May Day Melee
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Barbara Finamore

      Natural Resources Defense Council

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jennifer L. Turner

      Woodrow Wilson International Center

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jim Watson

      Senior Fellow, Sussex Energy Group

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    China, the Olympic Games and Environmental Pollution
    1. 1:35United Auto Makers Strike after Negotiations Break Down
    2. 7:20Explosive Growth in China Causes Explosive Pollution ProblemsYou’re reading this
    3. 42:36LAPD Chief Apologizes for Police Conduct at May Day Melee
    Back to To the Point