Bhopal disaster documentary

Watch a two part documentary which describes the events in Bhopal on the critical night, the chaos that toxic gas created along with the general confusion. It also gives detailed information on the technology risks taken by the Union Carbide, while examining the consequences of the disaster through the eyes of local population.

Pollution in China

China prioritized economic development over the environment for several years, which resulted in the most polluted skies and waterways on the planet. A major industrial power was created at the expense of environment. The country relies heavily on coal and is the world's leading CO2 emitter. In 2008, China contributed 22% of global emissions, followed by the United States with 20% of emissions. Industrial cities are usually wrapped in a gray shroud, so thick that people don't see the sun. The children are getting sick from lead poisoning or other types of local air pollution. Read more about the pollution in China... You can also watch a short documentary on Chinese growth on youtube, first part dealing with cultural differences and the second part concerning the water pollution effects.

Next: Pollution in China - part II

London smog

The weather in London had been unusually cold for several weeks leading up to the Great Smog disaster. Because of the cold weather in 1952, the households were burning more coal than usual to keep warm. Over one million of home stoves in combination with the emissions from industry surrounding the city released into the atmosphere massive amounts of smoke. A light fog dominated the city on December 5, but that was nothing unusual. As night came a combination of light winds, cool air and high humidity at ground-level formed a thick fog. Temperature inversion made the phenomenon motionless and it started to mix with chimney smoke, which contained toxic sulfur-dioxide, making the Great Smog. Read more about the aftermath of the event here...