Ecology & Environment

     Until recently, Taiwan has had a spotty record on environmental protection. Changing from a principally agrarian society, Taiwan's industrial revolution saw rapid modernization over the last 50 years, unrivaled by all other countries in Asia except than perhaps Japan. Similarly, rapid population growth, uncontrolled waste dumping, dense motor-vehicles traffic and unplanned urban development have all had a major impact.

     Taiwan is improving its environmental protection, mostly as a result of the Tourist Ministry's push to increase island-wide tourism. The worst offenders in industry have been shut down (or moved over to mainland China where the government has a tighter control on the media and protestors) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has also been cracking down on polluting vehicles by raising fines and increasing vehicle smog testing. However, Taiwan’s EPA is slow in its crackdown on offenders because of the economic important of businesses and factories in Taiwan to produce and export goods worldwide. Recycling is also available island-wide (although it can be difficult to determine which garbage truck to give your trash to and on which days...) and you will be forced to sort your plastic from aluminum in your garbage bags if you try to make a drop on the garbage trucks or be turned away!

     Air pollution is still a large problem, at least in the major cities, (but nothing like China's...) and like Los Angeles or other cities located in valleys or basins and surrounded by hills where the air cannot blow away, this problem will likely continue for some time. Compared to almost anywhere in Canada, Taiwan's air seems downright filthy. Driving a bike or scooter around town you will notice the particulate matter sticking to your face or clothes after even a few minutes ride. Your air conditioner filter will get extremely dusty and dirty in a matter of days and your floors and table tops will be covered with a thin film of dust and soot over time whether you leave your windows open or not. Most jobs are in the cities and that is why 90% of the people live in or around the cities so be prepared for city pollution.

     Similarly the water is technically not fit for drinking out of the tap, although we haven't heard of anyone ever getting sick from drinking tap water. However, it isn't recommended for long-term health. The Government claims that the water at the processing plants comes out clean, but all the old, rusted and lead coated piping that was put into the maze of city dwellings over the decades cause the water to be undrinkable from the faucet. Boiling is recommended, but most people either install an expensive and elaborate water purification filtering system in their kitchens or buy bottled water, or fill up from many purified water stations around the city (although these are usually just a stand alone filter with a hose attached to them from a building that filters the water right on the spot and isn’t necessarily all that healthy either.) Hey, nobody drinks the water in Los Angeles out of the tap either, but showering and washing dishes won’t hurt you.

     The mainstream media and citizens alike have made a growing awareness of the issue and demand a cleanup. The aboriginal groups in Taiwan have also been extremely vocal about toxic waste dumping and the building of nuclear reactors on the offshore islands and have received promises from the government on many fronts.

Taiwan  Pollution Level Monitor:

www.epb.taipei.gov.tw

      Smoggy days in the cities

    Taichung City - Ben

    Taichung City - Ben

  Street water vending machines

     -Michael T.