2 chapters across the catalog
The Great Smog of London in December 1952 resulted in the deaths of approximately 4,000 people and left 100,000 ill due to a combination of cold weather and windless conditions trapping coal smoke. This catastrophic event served as the primary catalyst for modern air pollution regulations and the eventual creation of the EPA. Local air pollution districts formed in the mid-1950s were originally intended to have limited lifespans but remain active today.
Beijing Air Quality and Global Travel Observations
Official reports from the Beijing Olympics describe the heavy grey haze over the city as "mist," though observers characterize it as industrial smog. Historical Chinese art often depicts white skies rather than blue, suggesting a long-standing environmental or artistic tradition. Recent travel photos from Mongolia and Tibet show distinct cloud formations and clear skies, contrasting with the overcast conditions in industrial China.
