CRI听力: Garbage Crisis Looms in Beijing

Beijing city officials have warned that the city's 13 garbage landfill sites will reach maximum capacity in four year's time due to a rapid increase in the volume of garbage being produced. New facilities are desperately needed as time is running thin before a future where there is no more space to dispose of garbage in the city. An article in the Global Times newspaper notes the pressing situation and suggests the government and the community need to collaborate in order to tackle the problem.(www.hXen.com)

The article explains that landfills are the most commonly used solution. It usually takes five to six years to build one. While such a project requires huge investment, often the most important issue is finding an acceptable location. Stringent criteria must be applied to ensure underground water supplies remain unpolluted, and that as little smell as possible escapes if residents live close by. Beijing's latest plan includes lowering landfill treatment and funding more bio-treatment plants. Technological improvements, along with more public investment, will hopefully catch up with the growing mountains. But sustainable solutions reside in society-wide contribution.

The writer of the article argues that the government should encourage innovation in garbage treatment and introduce incentives and favorable policies to business in this area. He adds that, even more pressing is the need to decrease garbage volumes and encourage better sorting by citizens. To achieve this goal, more education, and stricter penalties and rewards are needed.

In addition, the article suggests a change in lifestyle to reduce the volume of garbage should be encouraged. It says there is a thin line between "good items" and "garbage," and that traditional Chinese values like thrift and respect for food could help shift citizens' thinking in favor of the environment.