Recently the World Health Organization released a report on the health risks associated with air pollution and said air pollution is the most dangerous environmental carcinogen. It is time everyone made an effort to combat air pollution, says an article in Beijing Times. Excerpts:

Even though polluted air is not so terrible that everyone will get cancer, yet it is definitely harmful.

From the multi-pronged air pollution battle plan at the national level to the regional plan aimed at improving air quality in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, from relevant legislation to the severe punishment system in the anti-pollution battle, every measure is well prepared now. But in fact, people's ignorance is the key reason why it is so difficult to win the war against air pollution.

Heavy smog shrouds Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday, as schools were closed and some buses stopped operating because of poor visibility on the roads. Photo by Xiao Gang / For China Daily

It remains a question whether the WHO report findings will lead to any substantial changes in the deeply-rooted mentality that hinders environmental protection. However, failure to make a change in mentality will mean losing credibility and people's faith in the government.

This transition, for the government, means saying no to black GDP sectors and emphasizing the equality of development to guarantee people can live with dignity; for companies it means technological upgrading and finding a sustainable substitutes for polluting projects; while for ordinary people it means actively changing their lifestyles and saving energy as much as possible. The battle against pollution requires everyone's effort and contribution.

(China Daily 10/25/2013 page9)