A Red River Runs Through It

Stories like these need to be reported more often, in my oppinion. This story exposes a current enviornmental problem in China and with it, gives yet another example of a shameful truth of modern day society. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a CNN medical correspondent, recently visited Llangqiaoa, a small farming village on the Hengshui River, to investigate rumors about rampant water pollution there. When she arrived, she found that the river was literally red, and further investigation revealed that it was due to mining run-offs from a government run mining complex 60 km. upriver. The mine is dumping rust, arsenic, zinc, and cadmium in levels that have given the river a level five toxicity rating (out of 5) which means, basically, that the water is too polluted to touch, much less use for plants or drink. The village of Llangqiaoa, however, relies on this river for both of these necessities, and has no alternative options. Out of the villages 400 residents, 30 have died of cancer in the last few years...

The only good news to come out of this story is that an environmental lawyer, Xing Jing, has taken up the case and is attempting to sue the governement in order to hold it responsible. This ray of light brings with it two implications; one good and one bad. On the positive side, it is an example of the growing environmental movement in China, a country which has in recent decades focused almost single-mindedly on economic growth while disregarding concerns for the environment. The negative implication of this article is the sad truth that for some reason, environmental, and even human rights, violations seem to continue to be carried out in the world, and are only stopped when someone sues the responsible party, instead of when the atrocity is recognized.