Everyone back home makes fun of me because I do not know any of the pop references but I have started to watch lots of movies in China which includes American movies – classics and current.  I will get to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory one of these days 🙂
So I have decided that one of the best movies other than Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 is The Loarx 🙂  So fitting for all developing countries which are or have industrialized.
Last week there was a meeting in Beijing about environmental science and law. Â Unfortunately, it was also the first time China had declared a red alert for air quality in Beijing since the beginning of its monitoring system. Â I decided not to go because of work piling up and also because of the bad air quality. Â Not sure why, but I am convinced that every time I go to Beijing, I come back sick with a really bad sinus infection. Â Unfortunately, while Beijing was 850+ in some areas, Wuhan had pretty bad air quality as well. Â In Wuhan it was 288 in the morning and by afternoon its was 399.
So you can understand why the people and the government of China are so concerned with environmental issues. Â While I do not agree with the restaurant owners in Jiangsu province automatically adding a surcharge for “air quality” within their establishment, due to the installation of a new air quality filter, had they informed or advertised their additional 1 yuan charge prior to customers ordering, I would be all for it.
If you let me know beforehand you are going to do something and I agree, charge away. Â If you are charging me and I have no idea why then of course expect angry lawyer to show up. Â Personally, had I realized that you installed an industrial filter in your restaurant, especially in Beijing, I would be in your restaurant anytime I need to eat in that area.
If we do not improve environmental air quality in China soon – someone really is going to open a “clean air” business like in The Lorax and be the next billionaire.  So much for the tragedy of the commons 😀