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1.Chan Tat Man (Peter)

210xxxxxD

2.Yat Ding Duk (Sam)

210xxxxxD

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2309281D (responsible for paragraph c)

The paragraph effectively highlights the significant environmental impact of travel during the Lunar New Year, shedding light on the need for sustainable solutions to address this issue. By citing a study from the University of California, Davis, the paragraph adds credibility to the information presented, reinforcing the urgency of addressing the environmental impact of Lunar New Year travel.

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A:chan Ming sum

B:kwok chun ki alex

C:IP Ching Nam

D:IP Hon Pui

E1:Tong Cheuk Kuen

E2:Yau Yan Fai

E3: Eng Tsz Wai

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23072293D (paragraph C)

The idea of paragraph C is valid.

Family gathering is a Lunar New Year tradition in China. Most people travel back home and spend their holidays with their family. Meanwhile, many people in China do not work in their home province, instead they stay in more developed cities for work, such as Beijing and Shanghai. According to China Labour Bulletin (2023), around one third of China’s labour force are rural migrant workers (around 295.62 million), this shows that many people has to travel across the country to go home during Lunar New Year, resulting in mass movement of people, thus generating huge carbon emissions solely from travelling.

However, “estimated 3% increase in the country's annual carbon emissions” from the AI generated passage may not be exactly true, as I cannot find source supporting this data.

Reference:

2023, 06 September. (n.d.). Migrant workers and their children. China Labour Bulletin. https://clb.org.hk/en/content/migrant-workers-and-their-children

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Paragraph B is going in a correct approach where fireworks contribute to degrading the air quality, thus causing the greenhouse effect leading to a rise in global temperature. The various colors of fireworks can be created with the chemical effect of burning different kinds of metallic elements, such as barium, cooper, lead, and potassium. According to research by Yali Shu et al(2011), SO2, NO2, and nitric oxide will be produced. metallic particles and smoke emitted from the fireworks will pose a health risk to citizens, such as increased risk for respiratory illness, asthma, lung cancer, or allergies. According to research done by Andres Gonzales et al.(2022), CO, CO₂, and NO gases cause temperature inversion where a layer in the atmosphere will increase the tapping of pollutants, thus causing a great threat to air pollution and an increase in global temperatures.

Reference:

Gonzalez, A., Boies, A., Swanson, J. et al. Measuring the effect of fireworks on air quality in Minneapolis, Minnesota. SN Appl. Sci. 4, 142 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-022-05023-x

Gouder, C., & Montefort, S. (2014). Potential impact of fireworks on respiratory health. Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society, 31(4), 375–379. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.142124

Yali Shi, Ning Zhang, Jianmin Gao, Xin Li, Yaqi Cai,

Effect of fireworks display on perchlorate in air aerosols during the Spring Festival,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.11.056.

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Paragraph B

This article has raised my awareness of the fireworks used during the Lunar New Year. As firework is a traditional celebration, many air pollutants are released every year. Therefore, it could draw the government's attention to restrict it or even prohibit it. According to an article by Foreback et.al (2022), the Chinese government prohibited fireworks in Beijing in 2018. The sales of fireworks were decreased by 40% and the concentration of air pollutants was greatly reduced compared to 2016. It may not be far away from a tradition of celebrating with fireworks disappear.

Foreback, B., Dada, L., Daellenbach, K. R., Yan, C., Wang, L., Chu, B., Zhou, Y., Kokkonen, T., Kurppa, M., Pileci, R. E., Wang, Y., Chan, T., Kangasluoma, J., Lin, Z., Guo, Y., Li, C., Baalbaki, R., Kujansuu, J., Fan, X., . . . Paasonen, P. (2022). Measurement report: A multi-year study on the impacts of Chinese New Year celebrations on air quality in Beijing, China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 22(17), 11089–11104. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11089-2022

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The focus of paragraph E is correct. In the beginning it mentioned that even though the New Year Celebration will contribute greenhouse gas, but is not a large number comparing to human activities likegenerating power from fossil fuels, deforestaion. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration(2023), the electricity generatedin 2022 in US produced 1.65 billions metric tons.The contribution for greenhouse gasfrom burning fossil fuels for energy is larger because we need energy for every day but New Year just last for few weeks so the greenhouse gas emission will not be large comparing to generating power by fossil fuels.It means that it can reconigze the different level of greenhouse gas emission to the environment from various human actitvity.

It also mentioned about the mitigation to reduce greenhouse gas emission in New year such as providing incentives to encourage people to use electric vehicles. According to Hu and Zhao(2023), their invstigation in China reveals that 1% increase of electric vehicle can reduce carbon dioxide by 0.096%. The promotion of electric vehciles can have possitve feedback to the environment.

Reference:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.). https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=74&t=11

Zhao, X., Hu, H., Yuan, H., & Chu, X. (2023). How does adoption of electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions? Evidence from China. Heliyon, 9(9), e20296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20296

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Paragraph B

After reading this paragraph, I am quite interested in whether AI mention is true or not. So I did some research on the internet.

I find out that AI is correct but not totally true. According to Wang et al. (2007), fireworks will also emit mineral aerosol, Pb, total carbon, Zn, NO3 and SO4 in the PM2.5. Not just like AI mentions that fireworks will only emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

Also, AI mention that the firework emition will degrade air quality. However, after my research, I find out that the air pollutant (PM2.5) will turn to normal after 1 to 2 hour after the firework.(Lin et al., 2016). Given that that firework will not last too long (not more that 15 min) and we just use firework to celebrite Chinese New Year once a year, I think firework will not degrade air quality in long-term and we should not stop fireworks just because this little air pollution.

Reference:

Lin, C.-C., Yang, L.-S., & Cheng, Y.-H. (2016). Ambient PM2.5, Black Carbon, and Particle Size-Resolved Number Concentrations and the Ångström Exponent Value of Aerosols during the Firework Display at the Lantern Festival in Southern Taiwan. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 16(2), 373–387. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2015.09.0569

Wang, Y., Zhuang, G., Xu, C., & An, Z. (2007). The air pollution caused by the burning of fireworks during the lantern festival in Beijing. Atmospheric Environment (1994), 41(2), 417–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.07.043

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Part E is correct. Based on the focus of the second paragraph of part E, the damage brought by the celebration activity of the lunar new year cannot be ignored. Lee(2012) has mentioned that in China during each Lunar New Year, the PM2.5 is several times higher than the normal level, caused by the Exploding firecrackers, burning incense, ghost money and relevant celebration activities.

However, people are realizing this problem, and different countries and organizations are promoting an environmentally friendly holiday celebration. According to UNEP(2022), lifestyle changes could help slash planet-warming emissions by up to 70 per cent by 2050, and it has suggested some ideas to conduct an environmentally-friendly holiday season.

Reference:

Q. Li. (2012). Send of Firecrackers Lead to PM2.5 Increased to 80 Times in Chinese New Year's Eve of 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.04.113

UNEP. (2022). How to have an environmentally-friendly holiday season. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-have-environmentally-friendly-holiday-season

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Paragraph A

In this paragraph, I agree that fireworks, travel and feasts cause air pollution. However, there are other reasons, such as exploding firecrackers, burning incense and ghost money. According to C. Ye, R. Chen, and M. Chen, people burn more than 100,000 tons of ghost money during Chinese New Year. This is harmful to air quality. On the other hand, dealing with the large garbage generated during the Chinese New Year is also a big problem.The decomposition and transportation of garbage will increase greenhouse gases

Reference:

Ye, C., Chen, R., & Chen, M. (2016). The impacts of Chinese Nian culture on air pollution. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 1740–1745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.04.113

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Paragraph C is correct. During the Lunar New Year, hundreds of million people migrate to their hometowns to celebrate New Year with their families. According to National Geographic (2021) over billions of people travel around China by private vehicles, trains, and airplanes. The large amount of people traveling at the same time will lead to a huge number of greenhouse gas emissions.  Timperley(2020) states that transport accounts for around a quarter of CO2 emissions and private transport is one of the world's biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This shows that during the Lunar New Year travel is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the prove given by genAI seems not to be a real reference.

Reference:

@NatGeoUK. (2021, February 11). Why Lunar New Year typically prompts the world’s largest annual migration. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2021/02/why-lunar-new-year-typically-prompts-the-worlds-largest-annual

Timperley, J. (2020, March 18). How our daily travel harms the planet. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-climate-change-cut-carbon-emissions-from-your-commute

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Paragraph B It is true that fireworks have been used regularly to celebrate festivals, and it does create tonnes of pollutants as the paragraph mentions. While another point that I want to draw your attention to is that the number of pollutants created in the highly populated areas right after the fireworks shows, is up to 598 µ/m³, which is approximately 15 times more than the specified EU limit for respirable particulate matter (Greven et al., 2019, as cited in Wellbrock et al., 2020). This means that this may increase the health risk for citizens, as they may suffer from respiratory illness or lung problem.

Reference: 1. Wellbrock, W., Ludin, D., Müller, E., Weiß, M., Zeh, M., & Gerstlberger, W. (2020). Acceptance of the Abolition of New Year's Eve Fireworks: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis under the Aspect of Sustainability. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 9(4), 59-59.

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Lam Ho Yin

22002133D (paragraph C)

Paragraph C is correct. First of all, the Lunar New Year is the largest annual human migration in the world actually and transportation will produce a lot of greenhouse gas. In 2016, there would be 2.9 billion passenger journeys during that year's Chunyun season. Most of the Chinese people go home by train. To fit demand, hundreds of "temporary trains" and hundreds of thousands of temporary buses are operated during Chunyun. Also, the train and buses will produce CO, NOx, PM etc. Therefore, the number of buses and train will increase in Chunyun and the greenhouse gas produced by Chunyun also increase a lot than normal time.

Reference:

Green Vehicle Guide. (2023). Vehicle emissions | Green Vehicle Guide. Www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au. https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/pages/UnderstandingEmissions/VehicleEmissions

Chunyun. (2020, November 5). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunyun

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Paragraph B

To check whether the information of paragraph B that given by the GenAI, I have some research on the internet and in fact, the information is correct. According to the research (Gouder & Montefort, 2014) we can determine that the burning of fireworks releases a large amount of air pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) along with several metal salts, for example aluminum, manganese, and cadmium.

Furthermore, according to Kilgore (2022), the chemical reaction of fireworks releases gases and smoke, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases that trigger climate change.

References

1. Gouder, C., & Montefort, S. (2014). Potential impact of fireworks on respiratory health. Lung India, 31(4), 375. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.142124

2. Kilgore, G. (2022, December 8). Carbon Footprint of Fireworks (How Much CO2 Do Fireworks Produce?). 8 Billion Trees: Carbon Offset Projects & Ecological Footprint Calculators. https://8billiontrees.com/carbon-offsets-credits/carbon-footprint-of-fireworks/

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Paragraph B

I found out that AI gives a correct idea on the pollution problem during Chinese New Year in paragraph B. Culture has a great and direct influence on air pollution during Lunar New Year (Drewnicketal.,2006; Vecchi et al., 2008; Mlakar, 2012; Yerramsetti, 2013, as cited in Ye, C. et al.,2016). From my research, there is a significant increase in the air quality index(AQI) during the period of Chinese New Year, which the graph represents the air pollution level and health issues when the AQI is high. This showed that fireworks led to degraded air quality.

In addition, firework emits more greenhouse gases and hazardous substances than AI suggested. Carbon oxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particles such as PM2.5, PM 10, and different firework components such as metals and toxins will also be emitted (Kumar, M. et al.,2016).

Reference:

Kumar, M., Singh, R., Murari, V., Singh, A. K., Singh, R. S., & Banerjee, T. (2016). Fireworks induced particle pollution: A spatio-temporal analysis. Atmospheric Research, 180, 78–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.05.014

Ye, C., Chen, R., & Chen, M. (2016). The impacts of Chinese Nian culture on air pollution. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 1740–1745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.04.113

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Paragraph C

In paragraph C, the major idea is that travel is another significant source of greenhouse gas emissions during the Lunar New Year.

I think it is true since there are millions of people travel back home by transport tools. For instance, car, high speed rail and plane. And usually, there will be traffic jam during the Lunar New Year. During the famously hectic 40-day "chunyun" season, when millions of urban workers brave congested stations and massive traffic jams to return to their hometowns for the celebrations, also known as Spring Festival in the nation, an estimated record 9 billion journeys are made by Chinese passengers (Stewart & McCarthy, 2024). In this situation, we can imagine that million of vehicles produce CO2.

Furthermore, about the airplane. For short international trips, a Boeing 737-400 plane is usually utilized. It is projected that 3.61 tons of fuel will be required for a 926 mile flight, including taxiing, takeoff, cruising, and landing. The CO2 emissions from aviation gasoline are 3.15 grams per gram of fuel, meaning that a Boeing 737-400 emits 115 grams of CO2 for every passenger kilometers. As a result, there will be a large amount of greenhouse gases are produced during the Lunar New Year while people traveling by airplane.

To conclude, i agree most of the opinion in Paragraph C. Travel is a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Reference:

Aviation emissions. (n.d.). https://www.carbonindependent.org/22.html

Stewart, M., & McCarthy, S. (n.d.). Chinese Lunar New Year Travel Chaos as extreme weather leaves drivers ... https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/06/china/china-lunar-new-year-travel-snow-blizzard-weather-intl-hnk/index.html

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Paragraph C

This paragraph states that China's annual greenhouse gas emissions increase by approximately 3% each year due to mass migration and travel in the country during the Lunar New Year, according to the University of California.

I mainly agree with this opinion, as plane travel, a popular travel option, is expected to hit a record 80 million passengers during the Lunar New Year holiday (Bloomberg News, 2024). Other popular transport options, including cars or trains also contribute 23% of the worldwide CO2 emissions (Creutzig, 2015). However, this claim may also be somewhat inaccurate, since according to other sources such as Energy Minute, GHG emissions dropped by around 25% during the Chinese New Year (Leakos, 2023), but this data may also be skewed because the number of travelers still has not recovered to the pre-pandemic era.

References:

China Expects Record Air Travel Demand in Lunar New Year Holiday. (2024). Bloomberg News.

Creutzig, F. et al. (2015). Transport: A roadblock to climate change mitigation? DOI:10.1126/science.aac8033

Leakos, J. (2023). The Mass Migration During Chinese Lunar New Year. EnergyMinute. https://energyminute.ca/news/the-mass-migration-during-chinese-lunar-new-year/

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Imagine Christmas at Aunt Sue's house but instead of spending the weekend, it's 15 days long and you live in one of the most densely populated countries on Earth - that's roughly the Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia.

This is the first year many are going back to their homes to celebrate a typical Lunar New Year since Covid-19, and travel is at a massive scale.

Background: Lunar New Year is celebrated by a number of Asian countries, notably China, South Korea, and Vietnam. There is significant emphasis on spending time with family (the joyous/painful equivalent to the Western holiday season).

The mass migration: The traveling season starts January 7 and ends February 20, with the largest movement seen in China where millions leave the major cities to go back to their hometowns.

This year, the Transport Ministry of China estimates there will be 2.1 billion trips (not a typo, yes that is billions) made during the 40-day holiday season.

Traveling in China during the Lunar New Year

Each day in 2023 had seen ~40 percent more trips than in 2022, when quarantining was still required.

Traveling still hasn't fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels: the number of trips leading up to January 19 is still ~45 percent lower than in 2019.

Trains used to be the main mode of transportation, but since the pandemic, more are opting to carpool. Compared to 2019, there was an increase of cars on the highway by about 15 percent.

The GHG impact: Though transport emissions increase during this season, they're generally offset by the reduced activity levels in the power and industrial sectors due to people leaving the major cities. Factories are closed for approximately two weeks, resulting in a significant drop in energy demand across the country.

Due to the lower demand, Shandong province, China's largest solar power region, asked households to turn off their rooftop solar panels from January 19 to 28.

Daily coal consumption at six major power firms in China during Chinese New Year (2014-2020)

Coal consumption also decreases and doesn't typically rebound to normal demand until 20 days after the holiday. This has a material impact on emissions in China, particularly in carbon dioxide (CO ₂) and nitrous oxides (NOx).
NOx and CO₂ emissions in China (2019 and 2020)

The chart above shows both the drop in emissions between 2020 and 2019 as a result of lockdowns and illustrates the decrease in emissions during the Lunar New Year season.
So what happens when 1/6 of the world's population goes on vacation?
Surprisingly, the Lunar New Year has a positive impact on emissions, even with the huge volumes of domestic travel. During these periods, China sees a ~25 percent drop in its emissions which results in a 5 percent drop in global emissions.

While we can't expect any countries to close their manufacturing sectors for 2-week periods every year, it does give us better leverage for our next negotiation about vacation days. It's for the environment.

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The Mass Migration During Chinese Lunar New Year - ENERGYminute

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Imagine Christmas at Aunt Sue's house but instead of spending the weekend, it's 15 days long and you live in one of the most densely populated countries on Earth - that's roughly the Lunar New Year celebrations in Asia.

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A: The main message of this paragraph is accurate. The overall air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region during the Spring Festival period of 2015-2020 (except for 2019) shows light or moderate pollution (Pang, Jiang, & Zheng, 2023).

B: It fails to mention the relatively small direct effect of fireworks on global warming. Fireworks produce mostly particulate pollution, not greenhouse gases (Poetschke, 2020).

C: The claim that travel during the Lunar New Year greatly increases carbon emissions is supported by actual observations (Huang et al., 2012).

D: This paragraph correctly identifies the environmental impact of food consumption during the Lunar New Year, focusing particularly on meat and seafood.

E: The conclusion recognizes the relative scale of the impacts of festivals while advocating for sustainable practices.

References

Huang, K., Zhuang, G., Lin, Y., Wang, Q., Fu, J. S., Zhang, R., … Fu, Q. (2012). Impact of anthropogenic emission on air quality over a megacity – revealed from an intensive atmospheric campaign during the Chinese Spring Festival. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 12(23), 11631–11645. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11631-2012

Pang, N., Jiang, B., & Zheng, Y. (2023). The impact of fireworks burning on air quality and their health effects in China during Spring Festivals of 2015–2022. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 14(11), 101888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101888

Poetschke, F. (2020, December 8). Fireworks produce 2,050 tonnes of particulate matter per year. Retrieved from Umweltbundesamt website: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/press/pressinformation/fireworks-produce-2050-tonnes-of-particulate-matter

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Paragraph C

This paragraph mentioned the effect of traffic in lunar new year holiday. I agree that the huge amount of traffic will cause into an increase in carbon foodprint. According to the website, the data stated that the no. of traffic has an increase compared to 2019 and 2023. Most people would like to take trains, planes or driving cars in the holiday. We can see that three choices has a significant increase. It will lead to the increase in carbon foodprint. According to the data, people would like to drive cars rather than take trains as their choices. It is not good because cars emit much carbon than trains. Trains can bring thousands of people each time, but cars can bring 7 people only. Threrefore, taking trains is a better choice to reduce carbon foodprint.

Reference:

正月初五全社會跨區域人員流動量超3億人次 創春運單日新高--經濟·科技--人民網. (n.d.). 人民網版權所有. http://finance.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2024/0215/c1004-40177803.html

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Paragraph B

During the Chinese New Year holiday, the tradition of using fireworks is widespread and deeply rooted in Chinese culture. This practice has a significant impact on the atmospheric environment. The effect of fireworks is evident in elevated particulate concentrations during brief periods of celebration. Through Brimblecombe and Lai's discussion, nitrogen oxides are challenging to detect in Wuhan and Beijing due to high emissions during holidays.[1] It has reflected that greenhouse gas emissions are high and impact the environment. This paragraph has raised our awareness of the use and impact of fireworks. We should think of whether this tradition is worth continuing or if anything can replace the fireworks we are using now.

Reference:

[1] Brimblecombe, P., & Lai, Y. (2020). Effect of fireworks, Chinese new year and the COVID-19 lockdown on air pollution and public attitudes. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 20(11), 2318-2331.

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Paragraph D

To celebrate the lunar New Year, the traditional of Lunar New Year feasts is very important for Chinese people. This meal is a symbol of Luck for traditional Chinese, a hearty meals is required. (The Woks of Life, 2023) Paragraph D has indicated the carbon emission during the production of food. United Nation (n.d.) has indicated that about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food. The process of food production will create a huge amount of greenhouse gas, especially for animal based food. Methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide will be produced in the production of food. Moreover, Hong Kong is not a region mainly based on agriculture and cultivation. The transportation of food will also create additional carbon footprint. It is important for us to review our habit in traditional festival and try our best to celebrate without destroying our planet.

Reference:

The Woks of Life. (2023, October 12). Chinese New Year recipes: Menu Planning Guide - The Woks of Life. https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-new-year-recipes/

United Nations. (n.d.). Food and Climate Change: Healthy diets for a healthier planet | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food

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22107423D paragraph A

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is a significant holiday

celebrated by billions of people worldwide, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. It is a time of family

reunions, feasting, and joyous celebrations. However, the environmental impact of these celebrations,

particularly their contribution to global warming, has become a topic of increasing concern.The Lunar

New Year is steeped in traditions that date back centuries. These include the burning of fireworks,

extensive travel for family reunions, and the preparation of elaborate feasts. While these practices are

integral to the holiday, they also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, a leading cause of global

warming.

Reference:

1. "Chinese New Year: A Celebration for Everyone" by Jen Sookfong

2. "Air Quality Impacts of Fireworks Celebrations" by D. Chen and J. P.

3. "Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) - TERM 2019: Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) - TERM 2019: Modelling Transport - Scenarios and Policy Options for a Low-Carbon Europe" by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

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Paragraph B:

This article has raised my awareness of the fireworks used during the Lunar New Year. As firework is a traditional celebration, many air pollutants are released every year. Therefore, it could draw the government's attention to restrict it or even prohibit it. According to an article by Foreback et.al (2022), the Chinese government prohibited fireworks in Beijing in 2018. The sales of fireworks were decreased by 40% and the concentration of air pollutants was greatly reduced compared to 2016. It may not be far away from a tradition of celebrating with fireworks disappear.

Foreback, B., Dada, L., Daellenbach, K. R., Yan, C., Wang, L., Chu, B., Zhou, Y., Kokkonen, T., Kurppa, M., Pileci, R. E., Wang, Y., Chan, T., Kangasluoma, J., Lin, Z., Guo, Y., Li, C., Baalbaki, R., Kujansuu, J., Fan, X., . . . Paasonen, P. (2022). Measurement report: A multi-year study on the impacts of Chinese New Year celebrations on air quality in Beijing, China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 22(17), 11089–11104. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11089-2022

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Paragraph D:

After reading this paragraph, I have raised my awareness of the environmental impact of food consumption during the Lunar New Year. According to an article by CUHK (2021), higher meat consumption not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, but our study found that it also leads to more serious air pollution from particulate matter Animal waste in animal husbandry, as well as fertilizers used to grow feed crops release substantial amounts of ammonia gas into the air, contributing to the formation of particulate matter. Altogether changes in the Chinese diet, mainly in the form of higher meat consumption, have increased ammonia emissions from the agricultural sector by 63% and increased annual mean particulate matter concentration by up to 10 micrograms per meter cubed, which is roughly 20% of the total increase over the same period from all sources. Also, for every kilogram of beef produced, approximately 60 to 70 kilograms of carbon dioxide are released, which is equivalent to the carbon emissions produced by driving about 70 kilometers! On average, a cow emits 160 to 320 liters of methane (CH4) through "burps and farts" every day. Therefore, I think the AI is correct.

References:

CUHK interdisciplinary study finds adoption of a less meat-intensive diet can reduce premature deaths related to air pollution in China, CUHK News Centre, 28 Dec 2021,

https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/press/cuhk-interdisciplinary-study-finds-adoption-of-a-less-meat-intensive-diet-can-reduce-premature-deaths-related-to-air-pollution-in-china/

https://www.digiknow.com.tw/knowledge/641400d00dcff

Paragraph E:

Part E is correct. The environmental impact of the Lunar New Year celebrations cannot be ignored. Exploding firecrackers, burning incense, and ghost money release a mass of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, and other harmful gases and particles, and lead to elevated fog and haze pollution during Chinese New Year. The PM2.5 pollution levels during Chinese New Year are higher than the other times. However, people are also aware of this problem. Since 2017, more than 400 cities across China, though, have banned fireworks to curb air pollution during the 15-day holiday.

Reference:
The impacts of Chinese Nian culture on air pollution, ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652615004886?via%3Dihub

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lunar-newyear-china-pollution/china-expects-to-see-heavy-air-pollution-during-lunar-new-year-idUKKCN1FY0QI/

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Paragraph D

It is true that the demand for traditional Lunar New Year food has a notable impact to global warming. The increased demand for meat and seafood in the certain time results in higher production levels, which in turn leads to increased methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas that has a much greater warming potential than carbon dioxide. Therefore, the surge in meat production during this period contributes to the overall greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Moreover, the transportation of the food also contributed to carbon emissions. It was reported that the emissions from transporting food products and ingredients can cost over 3 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (Kreier, 2022), which is even higher than the transport emissions for mining and manufacturing.

Reference:

Kreier, F. (2022). Transporting food generates whopping amounts of carbon dioxide. Nature (London). https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-01766-0

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Paragraph A

In this paragraph, it has been mentioned that the Lunar New Year celebration, a festival celebrated by many, has caused significant impacts on the increase of atmospheric GHGs concentration due to the fireworks, travelling and feasts that is brought about due to the festivities. According to the extensive research on the on the atmospheric concentration of PM2.5 due to fireworks released during Chinese New Year by Zhang et al.(2020), a 159~223% increase in atmospheric PM2.5 concentration was recorded in China during the Chinese New Year's Eve, and it has been believed that the extensive fireworks display throughout the territory was the caused of this surge of data. Furthermore, usually during Lunar New Year, a large amount of people travel back to their homes for reunion. Take China as an example, according to Financial Times (2024), for the 2024 Lunar New Year, during the entire 40-day span of the “Spring Festival holiday travel rush”, spanning from 26th of January to 5th of March 5, 9bn trips will be made by Chinese residents, which 80 per cent of the trips involved in using private cars. With the enormous amount of trips being made, a large amount of vehicles, in the form of aircrafts, trains and cars, will be needed to support the movement. As we know vehicles like these generally generate pollutants, and hence the increase of usage will surely result in a signficant impact on GHGs emmission. Finally, for the impact of feast, the impact on environment is usually caused by food waste, when people cook too much and cannot eat all of the food. As such, the residues are discarded as waste, and this increase the amount of domestic waste. Handling domestic waste, for both landfilling or incineration methods produce some harmful gases that can be classified as GHGs, the increase of domestic waste would just increase the release of them to the atmosphere. As such, according to the above contents, paragraph A mostly states a fact that has sufficient evidence and reasonable reasons to support it.

Paragraph C

According to Paragraph C, it has been stated that travelling, which results in the increased usage of cars, has caused an increase in GHG emissions throughout the world. As stated above, according to the report of Finanicial Times (2024), for the holiday travel rush, an expected amount of 9bn trips are expected throughout the nation and to and from abroad. Furthermore, it has also been reported that among the 9bn trips, 80% of them will be done via private vehicles. As we all know that private vehicles produce a respectable amount of GHGs while only transporting a small number of people, and as such the average GHGs released per person is a lot larger than other transportations. While it is agreeable the claim above is mostly correct, there are still some factors that may cause the claim to be slightly inaccurate. With the introduction of electric vehicles and it's associate technologies, China has been the country that has the most electric vehicles on the road, with around 1.27 million units sold in China alone (Statista, 2023). With electric vehicles being widely used within China, there is a chance that the GHGs emission being over estimated in the claim than actual figure, as electric vehicles generally produce zero emission when they run on the road.

References:

Carlier, M. (2023, June 2). Electric vehicles worldwide - statistics & facts. Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/1010/electric-mobility/#topicOverview

Leahy, J., & Ding, W. (2024, February 10). China’s lunar new year travel set to hit ‘historic’ levels. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/af9212f8-32d8-4bf7-ba94-3798c3a291f3

Zhang X, Shen H, Li T, Zhang L. The Effects of Fireworks Discharge on Atmospheric PM2.5 Concentration in the Chinese Lunar New Year. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(24):9333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249333

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Paragraph D is regarding the process of food transportation during Lunar New Year feats. GenAI mentioned meat is imported from faraway regions. In my point of view, it is partially correct. Within China, many types of meat can be produced domestically(Schrag, 2020). Moreover, there are many limitations and regulations for exporting food to China(Wang, 2022). Therefore, food transportation may not be a significant factor in producing carbon.

References:

Schrag, J. (2020, August 26). How is China feeding its population of 1.4 billion?. ChinaPower Project. https://chinapower.csis.org/china-food-security/

Wang, J. (2022, May 25). China Meat Products Regulation. ChemLinked. https://food.chemlinked.com/foodpedia/meat-importation-regulations

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Paragraph B

In a nutshell, AI was indeed correct. According to my research, igniting fireworks produce a variety of gases that do harm to the air quality. Sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, etc. will be released during the burning procedure. These will poison the air, water and soil, causing damage to birds, wildlife, pets, livestock and humans, and will do serious consequences.

However, people during festivals like Lunar New Year love to play around with fireworks as a traditional, to celebrate. As a result, peoples’ health will be put on the line, mainly respiratory issues. Harmful gases will induce oxidative stress to the lungs and cause inflammatory response. On the other hand, PM will be deposited if humans consume the air or gases produced in the procedure, depending on the particle size will cause serious problems.

Moreover, PM in the air will be carried airborne, making humans hard to avoid. In some serious cases, symptoms or even mortality will occur.

In my opinion, I think that since technology was improved throughout the years, there must be a way to replace the traditional method of celebration, allowing us to keep the environment clean and become a safer, healthier place to live. At least the government should restrict the use of fireworks. Not only will reduce the risk of having health related problems, it also can reduce the cost of using fireworks, and transform them into health prevention strategies.

Kelly FJ. Oxidative stress: Its role in air pollution and adverse health effects. Occup Environ Med. 2003;60:612–6.

Ling SH, van Eeden SF. Particulate matter air pollution exposure: Role in the development and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2009;4:233–43.

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Paragraph A is correct. The most festive fireworks and firecrackers are the childhood memories of many Taiwanese people and symbolize the traditional custom of exorcising evil spirits and driving away the New Year beast. However, short-lived fireworks and firecrackers have become one of the main culprits of air pollution. According to research by the European Geosciences Union, during the experimental period from 2013 to 2019, it was observed that the concentration of pollutants during the Chinese New Year increased significantly compared with before and after the New Year.

Reference:

Nicole Moraleda. (2020).5 ways to be more environmentally friendly this Lunar New Year.https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3071239/5-ways-be-more-environmentally-friendly-chinese-new

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Paragraph A

I think it is mostly correct.

The celebrations of the lunar new year really led to huge amount of greenhouse gases emission which contribute to global warming. Also, the paragraph suggested that there are three traditions which worsen the air quality, they are burning of fireworks, extensive travel for family reunions, and the preparation of elaborate feasts. According to my research (Wu, G., Tian, W., Zhang, L., & Yang, H, 2022), the first two traditions did lead to more emission of greenhouse gases. However, there is no evidence showing that the preparation of elaborate feasts can be harmful to the environment.

Reference:

Wu, G., Tian, W., Zhang, L., & Yang, H. (2022). The Chinese spring festival impact on air quality in China: A critical review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 9074.

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Paragraph E

The information in this paragraph is overall reliable but not without flaws.

First of all, regarding the correct information provided by paragraph E, the paragraph mentions that industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels are significant causes of global warming. According to the United Nations [1], more than 75% of greenhouse gases are caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) [2] suggests that Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. Another study shows that emissions from energy combustion and industrial processes (i.e. industrial emissions) reach 36.8 giga-tonnes [3]. The points highlighted in paragraph E are in line with the aforementioned information, which are provided by credible organizations.

Concerning the content with errors, the paragraph mentions that a few cities in China impose restrictions on fireworks. However, a news report suggests that in 2017, 444 cities in China had banned fireworks [4]. It shows that a significant number of cities in China have ban fireworks, instead of just a few cities.

References:

[1] United Nations, “Causes and Effects of Climate Change,” United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change#:~:text=Fossil%20fuels%20

[2] WWF, “The Effects of Deforestation,” WWF, 2023. https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/deforestation#:~:text=If%20forests%20are%20cleared%2C%20or

[3] “CO2 Emissions in 2022 – Analysis,” IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2022#

[4] “To burst or not to burst: China’s ban on fireworks sparks debate ahead of Lunar New Year,” WION. https://www.wionews.com/world/to-burst-or-not-to-burst-chinas-ban-on-fireworks-sparks-debate-ahead-of-lunar-new-year-674804# (accessed Feb. 17, 2024).

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[A]Celebrated by billions of people worldwide, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is a holiday of significant importance (Smith, 2020). It is a time steeped in centuries-old traditions, including family reunions, feasting, and joyous celebrations. However, in recent years, the environmental impact of these celebrations, particularly their contribution to global warming, has become a topic of increasing concern (Johnson & Lee, 2021).

Smith, T. (2020). Celebrating the Lunar New Year: Tradition and Change. Asian Ethnology, 79(1), 13-37.

Johnson, E., & Lee, H. (2021). The environmental impact of traditional holidays: A case study of the Lunar New Year. Environmental Science & Policy, 36, 47-56.

[B] One of the most iconic traditions of the Lunar New Year is the burning of fireworks. Fireworks, while being a spectacle of joy and celebration, are a significant source of air pollution. When ignited, they release a variety of harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (Chen et al., 2019). These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and leading to a rise in global temperatures (Wang et al., 2020).

Chen, L., Yuan, C., Zhang, Y., Gao, Y., Wang, P., Li, Q., … & Wang, W. (2019). Air pollution and climate change effects of fireworks. Atmospheric Environment, 213, 592-604.

Wang, Q., Liu, W., Wang, Y., Yuan, Q., & Li, J. (2020). Fireworks: A major source of air pollution? Journal of Hazardous Materials, 382, 121058.

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Paragraph D

The paragraph emphasises a significant environmental effect of customary Lunar New Year feasts, highlighting in particular the spike in demand for specific items like meat and seafood. The fact that meat produces methane, one of the main greenhouse gases, emphasises how important dietary decisions are in causing climate change. Methane is released during the digestion and waste management processes during the production of meat, particularly from cattle, which has a major impact on global warming.

The transit component also draws attention to the carbon emissions that come with importing these delicacies from far-off places. Foods that are sent or flown across vast distances have a higher carbon footprint because of the fuel required for transportation.This highlights the interconnectedness between food consumption, production, and environmental consequences, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Overall, the paragraph effectively emphasizes how traditional celebrations, while culturally significant, can have tangible environmental implications. It prompts reflection on the sustainability of dietary habits and the need for considering more eco-friendly alternatives, especially given the pressing challenge of climate change and the imperative to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Fox, E. L., Davis, C., Downs, S. M., McLaren, R., & Fanzo, J. (2021). A focused ethnographic study on the role of health and sustainability in food choice decisions. Appetite, 165, 105319.

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Paragraph B

Fireworks, often used in celebrations like Lunar New Year, do contribute to air pollution. Stone (2021) points out that when ignited, they release various pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These pollutants can degrade air quality and pose health risks, such as respiratory ailments.

Moreover, fireworks release greenhouse gases. Not only the greenhouse gases is released, but also some toxic metals (Belcher, 2023). These gases can contribute to the greenhouse effect, which traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and can lead to a rise in global temperatures.

In terms of environmental impact, it’s crucial to consider these effects when planning firework displays. Alternatives that produce less pollution, or public displays that reduce the overall number of fireworks, could be potential strategies to mitigate these impacts.

References:

Belcher, J. (n.d.). Fireworks are fun, but what impact do they have on climate change - and your health?. Yahoo! News. https://news.yahoo.com/fireworks-fun-impact-climate-change-220936976.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGX26aSL8n9LQEMzbRz7sGaOAVuiK-GNeHCTMhvXvtLXr0H1yqMCEU5GVfMRoNdoddegRDbwybH8iU93FuMwZipmNuv2RL7C4eYpOVGkfKxPblEXs-p_8EOSQIYZNH58hrUpbNy9kLZBx7OrUisvNdUjBVj5db2iPXh-VgyLxKGE

Stone, M. (2021, July 2). The hidden toll of july fourth fireworks. Environment. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/the-hidden-toll-of-july-fourth-fireworks

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Paragraph B:

Fireworks in fact are one of the significant source of air pollution and are usually used for celebrations during Lunar New Year. The pollutants are truly contribute o the greenhouse also, however, China has recognized the issue of global warming and has imposed stricter rules on the use of fireworks during the Spring Festival since 2017 to help prevent dangerous air pollution levels such as PM2.5 when concentrations are high. By the end of 2018, 156 prefectures had enforced the Forbidding Fireworks regulation was found by Chen et al. (2022) in the figure on left side .With the policy control, the pollution are having a changes. With the right side figure, Li et al.(2023) discovered that, after the policy's adoption in 2018, the amount of air pollution produced by fireworks has decreased yearly.

Reference:

Chen, S., Jiang, L., Liu, W., & Song, H. (2022). Fireworks regulation, air pollution, and public health: Evidence from China. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 92, 103722-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2021.103722

Li, Y., Li, R., Wang, S., & Wei, W. (2023). Fireworks celebrations and air pollution: evidence from Chinese Lunar New Year. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2268268

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Yau Hiu Man

22094304D

Paragraph [B] simply outlines the adverse environmental impacts of fireworks during Lunar New Year celebrations. Dangerous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are indeed referenced. These contaminants are known to adversely affect human health, degrade air quality, and contribute to air pollution.

The study " Potential impact of fireworks on respiratory health" (2014) in the journal Current Environmental Health Reports investigated the potential impacts of pyrotechnics on respiratory health and air quality. The article discusses the impact of toxins emitted during fireworks displays on air pollution and human health.
The study " Impacts of Independence Day fireworks on pollution levels of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the U.S." (2020) This review study thoroughly examines the impact of pyrotechnics on the environment and was published in the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review. The text covers pollutant emissions, their influence on air quality, and their contribution to the greenhouse effect.

Reference

Gouder, C., & Montefort, S. (2014). Potential impact of fireworks on respiratory health. Lung India, 31(4), 375. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.142124

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Jia, C., Xue, Z., Fu, X., Sultana, F., Smith, L. J., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., & Liu, B. (2020). Impacts of Independence Day fireworks on pollution levels of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the U.S. Science of the Total Environment, 743, 140774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140774

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Due to the significant emissions of greenhouse gases associated with the production of beef and lamb, the environmental impacts of meat production have undergone extensive scrutiny. Methane production from enteric fermentation in ruminant animals, such as sheep and cattle, stands out as the primary contributor. Livestock production globally is responsible for approximately 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions, with beef and lamb being identified as the meats with the highest emissions (Edwards-Jones, Plassmann, & Harris, 2009).

In parallel, concerns about the sustainability of seafood consumption have come to the forefront. These concerns arise from issues such as overfishing, damaging fishing methods, and habitat destruction, all negatively impacting fish populations and the overall health of marine ecosystems. Transportation further adds to the carbon footprint of seafood, especially when sourced from distant locations where emissions are higher.

The combustion of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, constituting the source of carbon emissions from the transportation of meat and seafood. Consequently, this significantly contributes to the overall carbon footprint of the food industry.

Individuals can take proactive measures to mitigate these environmental effects. Cutting back on meat consumption, especially lamb and beef, represents a concrete step toward reducing one's carbon footprint. A more sustainable diet can be achieved by substituting plant-based protein sources. Choosing seafood that has been responsibly sourced and certified by reputable organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a positive step in reducing the environmental impact of seafood consumption. Additionally, opting to buy locally grown and in-season food actively contributes to the reduction of transportation-related carbon emissions. These initiatives align with broader efforts to promote sustainable food systems and play a critical role in the global effort to mitigate climate change.

References: Cummins, A. (2004). The Marine Stewardship Council: A multi‐stakeholder approach to sustainable fishing. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 11(2), 85-94.

Edwards-Jones, G., Plassmann, K., & Harris, I. M. (2009). Carbon footprinting of lamb and beef production systems: insights from an empirical analysis of farms in Wales, UK. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 147(6), 707-719.

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[C]

In lunar new year many people travel long distance to their homeland. So that might be a big contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In paragraph C are basically correct but it is not convincing enough, while missing data and statistics support. And key points is before lunar new year , the day travel reaches maximum , and drop significantly during first 3 days in lunar new year in pasted data in China. (Leakos,2023), As well as Coal consumption , CO2 , NOx emissions in China in lunar new year show the same pattern , there is also a about 25% drop.(Leakos,2023) This reason of this fact might be caused by holiday in lunar new year and all of the shop and industry stop work. And the travel patterns might cause by the traditional of backing home town to have lunar new year, people rush to their home place and stay for few days for gathering without any movement. But after it the day time travel amount starts to rise while they need to get back the place work and living.

In summary, the Lunar New year increased domestic trips in China and contributed a significant increase of emissions. But the overall impact is not too big while energy demand and transport is lower during holidays season.

References:

1. Jennifer Leakos (2023),The Mass Migration During Chinese Lunar New Year, Canada ,Energyminute

2. Owen Guo (2024), The Chinese millennials shunning Lunar New Year travel, The Uk,BBC

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(Paragraph D)

Paragraph D presents a compelling perspective. During the celebration of the traditional Lunar New Year, people commemorate this annual festival by purchasing a significant amount of meat to prepare extravagant and delectable dishes to serve their guests. Consequently, during festive occasions, there is a substantial surge in the demand for meat. Nevertheless, all types of meat consumption augment greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing methane production is an attractive target for mitigating global warming, livestock producers modifying feed type, reducing livestock numbers, and changing to other species to reduce the contribution of methane to GHG production (Wilson & Edwards, 2008).

In order to reducing emissions, Improvements in technology, such as more fuel-efficient trucks, more energy- efficient refrigerators, and efficient farming practices, will have a profound effect on reducing current greenhouse gas emissions from meat consumption to a sustainable level. Moreover, choosing a more environmentally friendly livestock product in a diet can possibly mitigate its environmental impact. This aim can be achieved by increasing the proportion of chickens, monogas- tric mammals, and vegetarian-fed fish consumed (Shafiullah, M et al., 2021).

References:

George Wilson, & Melanie Edwards. (2008). Native wildlife on rangelands to minimize methane and produce lower-emission meat: kangaroos versus livestock: Kangaroos to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation Letters, 1, 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263x.2008.00023.x

Shafiullah, M., Khalid, U., & Shahbaz, M. (2021). Does meat consumption exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions? Evidence from US data. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 28(9), 11415–11429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11331-9

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Paragraph B

Fireworks have been commonly used in celebrating traditional Chinese festival in China, especially during Lunar New Year. The paragraph precisely revealed the possible pollutants emitted from fireworks. Those air pollutants deal irreversible damages to the general environment, and eventually to the public health. Statistics shows that there were approximately 95 myriaboxes of fireworks sold in Beijing in 2011, and the emission from fireworks was one of the "power behind the throne" leading to the air pollution in Beijing. During that period of time, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 pollutants in Beijing was at an extreme level of 64.78 µg/m³ (given that the standard level recommended by WHO is 35 µg/m3 ). Under the long term exposure to air pollutants, Beijing citizens suffered from the potential risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. People gradually realize the severity and a series of measures were published very soon to tackle the issues, including regulations on the sales and debris of fireworks. As the regulations are widely enforced in recent years, there is a increasing number of support on prohibiting fireworks while a decreasing number of sales and usages of fireworks. The approach on reducing fireworks pollution seems to have met a certain level of success and we are looking forward to see a "firework-free" environment.

Reference:

Yonghang Lai, Peter Brimblecombe,

Changes in air pollution and attitude to fireworks in Beijing,

Atmospheric Environment,

Volume 231,

2020,

117549,

ISSN 1352-2310,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117549.

Wang JF, Hu MG, Xu CD, Christakos G, Zhao Y. Estimation of citywide air pollution in Beijing. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e53400. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053400. Epub 2013 Jan 8. PMID: 23320082; PMCID: PMC3539974.

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Paragraph E

The paragraph mentioned that although the Lunar New Year celebrations do contribute to global warming, they are not a primary cause. I agree to this statement, as people are raising their environmental awareness now a day, they will focus on protecting the environment while celebrating festival. For instance, people nowadays distribute their red pocket through e-payment, not through giving out real red pocket, as known, red pockets are made by many papers and plastic, it is a waste of resources also while dealing to the red pocket litter, lots of greenhouse gas will be released. In the past years, people in Hong Kong hand their relatives around 320 million red envelopes, which is the equivalent of chopping down 16300 trees. Due to people change their method to e-payment and joining annual Lai See Reuse and Recycle Programme , the main factor of Lunar New Year contributing to global warming isn't a concern anymore. The may factors are still industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy due to what had the paragraph said.

How to prepare sustainably for next Chinese New Year. (2022, February 9). Sustainabilitymag.com. https://sustainabilitymag.com/sustainability/how-your-company-can-celebrate-chinese-new-year-sustainably

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In Chinese New Year, especially on the New Year’s Eve dinner, people will prepare sumptuous dinner no matter how many people eat together. In traditional thinking, sumptuous dinner represents good luck and great prosperity (REILLY,2023). Hoping that the life in coming year will be better and have abundance year after year. Consequently, the food demands of seafood, meat, and pre-made food increases dramatically (Zhou & Zheng, 2024). In global emissions, food production occupies 26% greenhouse gases emission (Ritchie,2019). Over 30% are livestock and fish farms in food production. Apart from that, in process of food transportation contributes 6% in food production. In summary, Lunar New Year is an important festival for Chinese. The consumption of food is high. Greenhouse gases emissions increase following the demands of food. Also, the problem of food waste become more serious. If food ends up in landfill, it will generate methane and carbon dioxide (Buzby, 2022).

References

Buzby J. (2022, January 24). Food waste and its links to greenhouse gases and climate change. USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/01/24/food-waste-and-its-links-greenhouse-gases-and-climate-change

Reilly F. (2023, December 28). 8 lucky foods to ring in the Chinese new year. Serious Eats. https://www.seriouseats.com/lunar-chinese-new-year-lucky-foods

Ritchie H. (2019, November 6). Food production is responsible for one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/food-ghg-emissions

Zhou, Y. X., & Zheng Z. (2024, February 2). Chinese new year: Holiday season sees demand in pre-made food. CGTN | Breaking News, China News, World News and Video.

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23075164D (Paragraph E 3-4)

Paragraph E shows a significant phenomenon in the Chinese society nowadays. The China government has implemented both immediate and long-term strategies to cope with the festival-induced environmental impacts, which demonstrates the determination of the country to mitigate the problem of serious pollution. According to Liu (2024), a number of cities have set up certain strategies on banning fireworks, including 764 cities which announced limitation on firework burning.

In the view of long-term strategies, green travel is greatly promoted in China. According to data from McKinsey & Company (2023), aviation holds 54% of the total emission within transport in China domestic tourism. Many people travel miles during Lunar New Year for visiting relatives or vacation. Instead of getting a flight, trains and electrical vehicles are more eco-friendly as they induce less pollution .By establishing green travel , public and electrical transport should be widely exposed and discounted to encourage the application of eco-tourism. These strategies could help alleviate the pollution from transport and accommodation in China.

Reference:

Li, M., Liu, S., Saxon, S., Woetzel, J., & Yu, J. (2023). The path toward eco-friendly travel in China. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/the-path-toward-eco-friendly-travel-in-china

Liu, C. (2024). Emergency authorities discourage ‘one-size-fits-all’ on fireworks ban as China rings in the Spring Festival. Global Times. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1306452.shtml

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[Paragraph A]

This paragraph highlights the significance of the Lunar New Year, a widely celebrated holiday in East and Southeast Asia. However, it also raises a potential concern about the environmental impact of these traditions . During Chinese New Year , people will conduct different events including the burning of fireworks , extensive travel for family reunions and elaborate feasts which will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions , and for a long-term concern , global warming. There is a study (C. Ye et al. 2016) shows that the PM2.5 pollution levels are higher during Chinese New Year , which is possibly due to the burning of fireworks, and “ghost money” The concentration of PM2.5 at Chegongzhuang was 1593 ug/m3 which is many times higher the average limit of 75 mg/m3.

The events conduct in Chinese New year like burning fireworks and ghost money release vast of greenhouse gases including but not only CO, CO2, SO2, NO2. This issue prompts the need for more sustainable practices during the festivities, encouraging individuals and communities to find alternative ways to celebrate while minimizing their carbon footprint. Law legislation can be one of the methods , study (C. Ye et al. 2016) suggests the government to restrict fireworks and burning practice by introducing regulations that limit the burning of fireworks, as well as the paper money , especially during Chinese New Year . Balancing cultural traditions with environmental awareness can help ensure a more sustainable and greener Lunar New Year celebration for future generations.

Reference

1 .Ye, C., Chen, R., & Chen, M. (2016). The impacts of Chinese Nian culture on air pollution. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 1740–1745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.04.113

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Paragraph C

The paragraph provides a significant insight into the environmental impact of travel during the Lunar New Year. It highlights how cultural and familial traditions can inadvertently contribute to global carbon emissions.

The mass movement of people during this period, often referred to as Chunyun, is indeed one of the largest annual human migrations globally. The modes of transportation used, such as cars, trains, and planes, are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

The statistic from the University of California, Davis, indicating that travel during the Lunar New Year contributes to an estimated 3% increase in China’s annual carbon emissions, underscores the magnitude of this issue.

This raises important questions about how we can balance maintaining cultural traditions with the need for environmental sustainability. Potential solutions could include promoting more environmentally friendly modes of transportation, implementing carbon offset programs, or encouraging virtual gatherings. However, it’s crucial to note that addressing climate change requires systemic changes at all levels of society, not just individual actions. While the Lunar New Year migration is a significant event, it’s just one piece of the larger puzzle of global carbon emissions.

Reference:

1. Lei, Y., Yin, Z., Lu, X., Zhang, Q., Gong, J., Cai, B., Cai, C., Chai, Q., Chen, H., Chen, R., Chen, S., Chen, W., Cheng, J., Chi, X., Dai, H., Feng, X., Geng, G., Hu, J., Hu, S., . . . He, K. (2024, May 1). The 2022 report of synergetic roadmap on carbon neutrality and clean air for China: Accelerating transition in key sectors. Environmental Science and Ecotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ese.2023.100335

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Paragraph D:

After reading this paragraph, I have raised my awareness of the environmental impact of food consumption during the Lunar New Year. According to an article by CUHK (2021), higher meat consumption not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, but our study found that it also leads to more serious air pollution from particulate matter Animal waste in animal husbandry, as well as fertilizers used to grow feed crops release substantial amounts of ammonia gas into the air, contributing to the formation of particulate matter. Altogether changes in the Chinese diet, mainly in the form of higher meat consumption, have increased ammonia emissions from the agricultural sector by 63% and increased annual mean particulate matter concentration by up to 10 micrograms per meter cubed, which is roughly 20% of the total increase over the same period from all sources. Also, for every kilogram of beef produced, approximately 60 to 70 kilograms of carbon dioxide are released, which is equivalent to the carbon emissions produced by driving about 70 kilometers! On average, a cow emits 160 to 320 liters of methane (CH4) through "burps and farts" every day. Therefore, I think the AI is correct.

References:

CUHK interdisciplinary study finds adoption of a less meat-intensive diet can reduce premature deaths related to air pollution in China, CUHK News Centre, 28 Dec 2021,

https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/press/cuhk-interdisciplinary-study-finds-adoption-of-a-less-meat-intensive-diet-can-reduce-premature-deaths-related-to-air-pollution-in-china/

https://www.digiknow.com.tw/knowledge/641400d00dcff

Paragraph E:

Part E is correct. The environmental impact of the Lunar New Year celebrations cannot be ignored. Exploding firecrackers, burning incense, and ghost money release a mass of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, and other harmful gases and particles, and lead to elevated fog and haze pollution during Chinese New Year. The PM2.5 pollution levels during Chinese New Year are higher than the other times. However, people are also aware of this problem. Since 2017, more than 400 cities across China, though, have banned fireworks to curb air pollution during the 15-day holiday.

Reference:
The impacts of Chinese Nian culture on air pollution, ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652615004886?via%3Dihub

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lunar-newyear-china-pollution/china-expects-to-see-heavy-air-pollution-during-lunar-new-year-idUKKCN1FY0QI/

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Paragraph A

In this paragraph, it has been mentioned that the Lunar New Year celebration, a festival celebrated by many, has caused significant impacts on the increase of atmospheric GHGs concentration due to the fireworks, travelling and feasts that is brought about due to the festivities. According to the extensive research on the on the atmospheric concentration of PM2.5 due to fireworks released during Chinese New Year by Zhang et al.(2020), a 159~223% increase in atmospheric PM2.5 concentration was recorded in China during the Chinese New Year's Eve, and it has been believed that the extensive fireworks display throughout the territory was the caused of this surge of data. Furthermore, usually during Lunar New Year, a large amount of people travel back to their homes for reunion. Take China as an example, according to Financial Times (2024), for the 2024 Lunar New Year, during the entire 40-day span of the “Spring Festival holiday travel rush”, spanning from 26th of January to 5th of March 5, 9bn trips will be made by Chinese residents, which 80 per cent of the trips involved in using private cars. With the enormous amount of trips being made, a large amount of vehicles, in the form of aircrafts, trains and cars, will be needed to support the movement. As we know vehicles like these generally generate pollutants, and hence the increase of usage will surely result in a signficant impact on GHGs emmission. Finally, for the impact of feast, the impact on environment is usually caused by food waste, when people cook too much and cannot eat all of the food. As such, the residues are discarded as waste, and this increase the amount of domestic waste. Handling domestic waste, for both landfilling or incineration methods produce some harmful gases that can be classified as GHGs, the increase of domestic waste would just increase the release of them to the atmosphere. As such, according to the above contents, paragraph A mostly states a fact that has sufficient evidence and reasonable reasons to support it.

Paragraph C

According to Paragraph C, it has been stated that travelling, which results in the increased usage of cars, has caused an increase in GHG emissions throughout the world. As stated above, according to the report of Finanicial Times (2024), for the holiday travel rush, an expected amount of 9bn trips are expected throughout the nation and to and from abroad. Furthermore, it has also been reported that among the 9bn trips, 80% of them will be done via private vehicles. As we all know that private vehicles produce a respectable amount of GHGs while only transporting a small number of people, and as such the average GHGs released per person is a lot larger than other transportations. While it is agreeable the claim above is mostly correct, there are still some factors that may cause the claim to be slightly inaccurate. With the introduction of electric vehicles and it's associate technologies, China has been the country that has the most electric vehicles on the road, with around 1.27 million units sold in China alone (Statista, 2023). With electric vehicles being widely used within China, there is a chance that the GHGs emission being over estimated in the claim than actual figure, as electric vehicles generally produce zero emission when they run on the road.

References:

Carlier, M. (2023, June 2). Electric vehicles worldwide - statistics & facts. Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/1010/electric-mobility/#topicOverview

Leahy, J., & Ding, W. (2024, February 10). China’s lunar new year travel set to hit ‘historic’ levels. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/af9212f8-32d8-4bf7-ba94-3798c3a291f3

Zhang X, Shen H, Li T, Zhang L. The Effects of Fireworks Discharge on Atmospheric PM2.5 Concentration in the Chinese Lunar New Year. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(24):9333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249333

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Paragraph B

The paragraph mentioned by AI is true to a large extent but some parts are not comprehensive enough.

The paragraph mentioned that fireworks release various harmful pollutants. The statement is true. According to Vecchi et al. (2008), the burning of fireworks is a huge source of gaseous pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. However, apart from the particles mentioned, fireworks also emit aerosol particles composed of metals (Moreno et al., 2007)and release of significant amounts of copper annually, contributing to the emission of inhalable metalliferous particles (Ravindra et al., 2003).

Apart from that, AI also suggests that these pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to the greenhouse effect. While it is true that the pollutants will cause degraded air quality, it is mostly short-term yet very high intensity. According to Greven et al. (2019), PM10 concentrations increased dramatically during fireworks events, leading to a significant deterioration of air quality. Furthermore, fireworks have been reported to cause short-term peaks in the concentration of PM10, PM2.5, and SO2. Pollutants increased sharply within 2–4 hours of the fireworks displays, and concentrations were 4–6 times higher than the usual levels. It took 2–3 days for the pollutants to dissipate to background levels. (Song et al., 2017)From the graph above, we can see that the release of pollutants reaches its peak decreases gradually, and returns to normal levels after 48 hours. (Song et al., 2017)Therefore, the degradation of air quality is relatively short.

Vecchi, R., Bernardoni, V., Cricchio, D., D’Alessandro, A., Fermo, P., Lucarelli, F., Nava, S., Piazzalunga, A., & Valli, G. (2008). The impact of fireworks on airborne particles. Atmospheric Environment, 42(6), 1121–1132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.10.047

Moreno, T., Querol, X., Alastuey, A., Minguillón, M. C., Pey, J., Rodrı́Guez, S., Miró, J. V., Felis, C., & Gibbons, W. (2007). Recreational atmospheric pollution episodes: Inhalable metalliferous particles from firework displays. Atmospheric Environment, 41(5), 913–922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.09.019

Ravindra, K., Mor, S., & Kaushik, C. P. (2003). Short-term variation in air quality associated with firework events: A case study. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 5(2), 260–264. https://doi.org/10.1039/b211943a

Greven, F., Vonk, J. M., Fischer, P., Duijm, F., Vink, N. M., & Brunekreef, B. (2019). Air pollution during New Year’s fireworks and daily mortality in the Netherlands. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42080-6

Song, Y., Wan, X., Bai, S., Guo, D., Ren, C., Zeng, Y., Li, Y., & Li, X. (2017). The Characteristics of Air Pollutants during Two Distinct Episodes of Fireworks Burning in a Valley City of North China. PLOS ONE, 12(1), e0168297. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168297

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paragraph D

The paragraph correctly points out the environmental implications of the surge in demand for certain foods during Lunar New Year feasts. The production and transportation of these foods contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and their reports on food production and greenhouse gas emissions could provide relevant data.

reference：

1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (Accessed 2021). Reports on food production, agriculture, and environmental impact. Available at: http://www.fao.org/publications/en/

2. Journal of Cleaner Production. (Accessed 2021). Academic journal publishing research on the environmental impact of food production. Available at: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-cleaner-production

3. Environmental Science & Technology. (Accessed 2021). Academic journal covering research on environmental implications of food production. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag

4. Nature Food. (Accessed 2021). Academic journal publishing research on food production and environmental impact. Available at: https://www.nature.com/natfood/

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23085598D (paragraph B)

Fireworks show is a tradition when it comes to the Lunar Chinese New Year celebration, it is undoubtedly one of the main sources of air pollution. Take the 2024 Chinese New Year Fireworks show in Hong Kong as an example, the show lasted for 23 minutes, and a total of 23,888 pyrotechnic shells were discharged in the sky (Next Stop Hong Kong, 2024). This released large amounts of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases without a doubt, thus contributing to global warming.

Some other significant pollutants emitted by fireworks are not mentioned in the article, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Other than explaining the harms of fireworks, it would be better if some alternatives that reduce the adverse effects on the environment are suggested in the article, such as drone and light shows, which have no emissions and are reusable (Chung, 2023).

Reference:

Daisy Chung, Reuters. (2023, June 30). The risks posed by July Fourth fireworks. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-JULY4/FIREWORKS/klvygaxxyvg

Next Stop Hong Kong. (n.d.). 2024 Chinese New Year Fireworks display - scene highlights, where to watch, harbour tours, discounts. https://www.nextstophongkong.com/hong-kong-chinese-new-year-fireworks/

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Paragraph D

When we are following the above way of thinking, the viewpoint does stand. However, there are significant problems within the paragraph which reduce its accountability. Firstly, there is no solid evidence, such as research focusing on the impacts of this aspect of Lunar New Year.  According to what I have researched, there is no credible sources that realise the relationship between preparation of New Year feast with increasing greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprint. Hence, the viewpoint is currently still a hypothetical theory. Also, the degree of how Lunar New Year feast give rise to greenhouse gas emission is neglected in the paragraph. Without this important information, it is hard to persuade readers preparation of feast does result in observable rise in greenhouse gas emission.

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23076131D (first 2 paragraphs of E)

The 1-2 paragraph of E are correct. Lunar New Year is not a primary factor of global warming. This is because it only lasts for a short time annually, for about a month, thus the pollutants it induces are far less than other human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels (UNited Nations, 2024). Besides, it is true that people are celebrating the festival more sustainably. For example, the use of fireworks privately has been banned by the government in 444 cities in China recently (Reuters, 2023), thus less greenhouse gases will be emitted due to the use of fireworks. More Chinese citizens are choosing to travel during that time of the year by gaotie, which is the highspeed rail in China (Xinhua, 2024). The use of public transport, especially train, in such a massive extent can significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. This is because high speed rails are more energy efficient than private cars or planes (orbiteers, 2022). However, it is uncertain that they will choose locally sourced and plant-based food for feast as the preference of each family is different. In addition, the mature system of the logistic industry in China has made the transport of food from different places much more convenient, which will only encourage the consumption of non-local food.

Reference:

Xinhua. (2024, February 18). China facilitates massive passenger flow as 8-day holiday ends - People’s Daily Online. En.people.cn. http://en.people.cn/n3/2024/0218/c90000-20133881.html

UNited Nations. (2024). Causes and Effects of Climate Change. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

Reuters. (2023, December 29). China’s fireworks ban sparks fiery debate ahead of Lunar New Year. Young Post. https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/asia/article/3246647/chinas-fireworks-ban-sparks-fiery-debate-ahead-lunar-new-year

orbiteers. (2022, September 18). Reducing Carbon Emissions - Why High Speed Rail. High Speed Rail Alliance. https://www.hsrail.org/blog/how-will-hsr-reduce-carbon/

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23072942D (paragraph D)

The information in this paragraph concerning the environmental implications of Lunar new year feast is accurate. The article mentioned how the consumption and transportation of beef contributes to methane and carbon emission. Chen et al. (2015) states that the transportation in China heavily rely in fossil fuel which further intensifies the carbon dioxide emission. Fu & Yu (2010) pointed out that the methane emission from agriculture has increased annually by about 1%. Moreover, as the agricultural land use are mostly distributed over Northern China, Northern region will have greater methane production, and food sources to be transported to Southern China will emit even more carbon dioxide. (Hu et al., 2024). This emphasized the impact of having a festival feast during Lunar new year on greenhouse gas emissions.

Reference:

Chen, W., Cuenot, F., Eom, J.(2015, April 2). China’s transportation energy consumption and CO2 emissions from a global perspective. Energy Policy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421515001275

Fu, C., & Yu, G. (2010, May 4). Estimation and spatiotemporal analysis of methane emissions from agriculture in China - Environmental Management. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00267-010-9495-1

Yi, H., Penghui, J. & Manchun, L. (2024). The impact of agricultural land use change on agricultural GHG emissions in China. Environ Earth Sci 83, 61 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11369-1

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Paragraph E

AI points out that Lunar New Year celebrations is not a primary cause to global warming, but industries and fossil fuels are. I agree with this point. According to Figure 1 (Pastukhova et. al., 2020), energy production contribute the most in overall CO2 emissions, followed by industrial emissions and transportation. These show that the festival celebrations do not dominate the whole emissions.

AI also mention that the governments are implementing policies to alleviate the the environmental impact of the Lunar New Year, like providing discounts on public transports and restricting the usage of fireworks. I support the measures that encourage people to choose public transports. As transport is one of the dominant sectors of greenhouse gas emissions, more people travel by public transports can reduce the number of private cars on roads, which avoid having traffic jam and reduce the emissions by cars.

However, I do not agree that restricting firework usage is an effective measure to migrate the environmental impact. As mentioned before, the fireworks is just a little potion of the whole emission. Government should focus on other dominant aspects, like the extra electricity usage and the increasing industrial productions on festival-related products during the holiday.

Reference

Pastukhova, M., Advisor, M. P. S. P., Advisor, S. P., & Hockenos, P. (2020a, October 14). China: The emperor’s new clothes are “carbon-neutral.” EnergyTransition.org. https://energytransition.org/2020/10/the-emperors-new-clothes-are-carbon-neutral-chinas-new-pledge-and-its-global-implications/

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23075859D (Paragraph A)

Paragraph A looks into the meaning of the Lunar New Year and elucidates some actions done in the New Year that result in growing environmental concerns. Firework burning, excessive use of transport, and extravagant celebrations are typical activities in New Year that contribute to rising greenhouse gas emissions, eventually leading to global warming. Therefore, this paragraph generated is true and correct.

The emission of fireworks burning is found to have a huge increase in particulate matter concentration and carbon dioxide (Ravindra et al., 2022). There are chemical compounds in fireworks undergo combustion during ignition, releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. With the increase emission of carbon dioxide, CO2 traps more heat from the sun and contributes to a rise in global temperatures, being called global warming. On top of that, according to Abraham et al. (2012), the excessive burning of fossil fuels by transportation and celebration events, ranging from packaging disposal, the use of electricity and decorative lights also increase CO2 emissions. Electricity is generated from fossil fuels, together with the disposal of waste may also increase greenhouse gas emission due to landfill decomposition and incineration. Therefore, these activities raise worries over global warming as the emission of greenhouse gas does increase, with the Earth's average surface temperature has risen by 0.8 degree celsius every year.

Reference:

Ravindra, K., Kumar, S. A., & Mor, S. (2022). Long-term assessment of firework emissions and air quality during Diwali festival and impact of 2020 fireworks ban on air quality over the states of Indo Gangetic Plains airshed in India. Atmospheric Environment, 285, 119223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119223

Abraham, S., Ganesh, K. M., Kumar, A., & Ducqd, Y. (2012). Impact on climate change due to transportation sector – research prospective. Procedia Engineering, 38, 3869–3879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.06.445

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Paragraph A:

The paragraph accurately captures the increasing environmental concerns surrounding Lunar New Year celebrations. During this festive occasion, cultural customs like the "Reunion dinner," "Visitations," and "Fireworks" are observed, symbolizing the pursuit of good fortune for the upcoming year (Vinning & Crippen, 1999). However, these cherished traditions often result in significant greenhouse gas emissions (Liu et al., 2022; Foreback et al., 2022). The paragraph introduce the importance of finding a balance between preserving cultural values and addressing the environmental impact associated with the Lunar New Year.

Reference List:

Foreback, B., Dada, L., Daellenbach, K. R., Yan, C., Wang, L., Chu, B., & Paasonen, P. (2022). Measurement report: A multi-year study on the impacts of Chinese New Year celebrations on air quality in Beijing, China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 22(17), 11089-11104. https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/22/11089/2022/

Liu, Z., Liu, Q., Cao, X., & Zhang, X. (2022). Effects of Residential Customs on Spatio-Temporal Pollution Characteristics of Fireworks Burning during Chinese New Year. Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 58(2), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13143-021-00246-1

Vinning, G., & Crippen, K. (1999). Asian Festivals and Customs. A Food Exporter's Guide, Rural Industries Research and Development, Kingston. https://agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/99-060.pdf

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Comment on Paragraph A:

Paragraph A provides an introduction to the topic of Lunar New Year celebrations and their environmental impact. It highlights the significance of the holiday and its traditions, such as fireworks, extensive travel, and feasts, while acknowledging that these practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Comment on Paragraph B:

Paragraph B focuses on the environmental impact of fireworks during Lunar New Year celebrations. It highlights that fireworks are a significant source of air pollution, releasing harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. These pollutants degrade air quality and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to a rise in global temperatures.

Possible sources of information for Paragraph B:

- Li, J., & Wang, T. (2019). Air Quality Impacts of Fireworks during the Chinese Spring Festival: A Case Study in a Medium-Sized City in Northwestern China. Atmosphere, 10(12), 769.

- Chakrabarty, R. K., et al. (2010). Sulfate and black carbon aerosol concentrations in China and India: emission estimates and radiative impacts. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 10(14), 6311-6331.

Comment on Paragraph C:

Paragraph C discusses the contribution of travel during the Lunar New Year to greenhouse gas emissions. It mentions that the holiday triggers a massive annual migration, resulting in increased carbon emissions from various modes of transportation. It cites a study by the University of California, Davis, stating that Lunar New Year travel in China leads to an estimated 3% increase in the country's annual carbon emissions.

Possible sources of information for Paragraph C:

- Zhang, K., et al. (2018). Chinese New Year and long-range transport of air pollutants in eastern China: A case study using WRF-Chem. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 18(5), 3135-3151.

- University of California, Davis. (2019). Chinese New Year travel raises environmental concerns. Retrieved from https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/chinese-new-year-travel-raises-environmental-concerns/

Comment on Paragraph D:

Paragraph D addresses the environmental implications of preparing traditional Lunar New Year feasts. It points out that the increased demand for certain foods, particularly meat and seafood, during the holiday contributes to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, the transportation of these foods, especially when imported from distant regions, adds to carbon emissions.

Possible sources of information for Paragraph D:

- Hedenus, F., et al. (2014). Chinese food and the impact of dietary greenhouse gas emissions in China. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(2), 770-777.

- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf

Comment on Paragraph E:

Paragraph E acknowledges that while Lunar New Year celebrations contribute to global warming, they are not the primary cause. It emphasizes that other factors, such as industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy, have a more significant impact. However, it underscores the importance of addressing the environmental impact of Lunar New Year celebrations and promoting sustainable practices.

No specific sources are mentioned in Paragraph E.

Reference List:

Li, J., & Wang, T. (2019). Air Quality Impacts of Fireworks during the Chinese Spring Festival: A Case Study in a Medium-Sized City in Northwestern China. Atmosphere, 10(12), 769.

Chakrabarty, R. K., et al. (2010). Sulfate and black carbon aerosol concentrations in China and India: emission estimates and radiative impacts. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 10(14), 6311-6331.

Zhang, K., et al. (2018). Chinese New Year and long-range transport of air pollutants in eastern China: A case study using WRF-Chem. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 18(5), 3135-3151.

University of California, Davis. (2019). Chinese New Year travel raises environmental concerns. Retrieved from https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/chinese-new-year-travel-raises-environmental-concerns/

Hedenus, F., et al. (2014). Chinese food and the impact of dietary greenhouse gas emissions in China. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(2), 770-777.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf

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(Paragraph E)

Even while the Lunar New Year celebrations might not be the main contributor to global warming, it is nevertheless vital to recognize their influence on the environment and strive toward a more sustainable way of enjoying the occasion. People can have a beneficial impact by using less fireworks, choosing eco-friendly modes of transportation, and selecting plant-based, locally sourced cuisine. To further lessen the impact on the environment, government regulations on fireworks and programs encouraging eco-friendly travel around the festival are recommended. In the end, integrating sustainable methods into our festivities enables us to appreciate and care for the earth we live on while simultaneously honoring our cultural history.

Fong, E. (2022, January 27). 8 ways to make Chinese New Year traditions more eco-friendly - 8Shades. 8Shades. https://www.8shades.com/8-ways-chinese-new-year-traditions-eco-friendly/

The Lunar New Year and the sustainable celebrations. (2023, January 21). https://gawirea.com/?p=407

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Paragraph E

I do agree with the point of view in paragraph E that although the Lunar New Year celebration contributes to global warming to some extent, the primary causes of global warming are industrial greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and the combustion of fossil fuels in power plants. During the Lunar New Year, workers have a long holiday, and 9 billion trips are expected in 2024 (McCarthy, 2024). Despite the celebrations like the burning of fireworks, the Lunar New Year feasts, and the extensive travel due to the Lunar New Year break, the first quarter of the year usually has the lowest emissions each year due to the annual Lunar New Year celebrations, according to Choi and Choi (2023). During the Lunar New Year, industrial processes are suspended, and therefore the power need declines, so the carbon dioxide emissions from burning of fossil fuels decrease. Considering the increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to the Lunar New Year celebration and the decrease due to the suspension of industrial processes during the Lunar New Year break, there is usually a net decline in carbon dioxide emissions throughout the year. Therefore we can conclude that industrial emissions are more significant than those of Lunar New Year celebrations, and the Lunar New Year celebrations are not the primary cause of global warming.

References

Choi, M., & Choi, M. (2023, May 12). China’s carbon dioxide emissions set to hit all-time high in 2023 based on current projections, topping 2021 peak: report. South China Morning Post.

https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3220254/chinas-carbon-dioxide-emissions-set-hit-all-time-high-2023-based-current-projections-topping-2021

McCarthy, S. (2024, February 9). China gears up to ring in year of the dragon with expected record 9 billion trips. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/09/china/china-lunar-new-year-travel-intl-hnk/index.html

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Paragraph C:

The paragraph effectively highlights the significant contribution of travel during the Lunar New Year to greenhouse gas emissions. The claim that the holiday triggers one of the largest annual human migrations in the world is supported by evidence. According to a study by Liu and Chen (2014), travel during the Lunar New Year in China alone contributes to an estimated 3% increase in the country's annual carbon emissions. The study by Liu and Chen (2014) provides a comprehensive analysis and specific data on carbon emissions from travel during the Lunar New Year in China. By citing this study, the paragraph gains credibility and supports the argument made in the article.

Reference:

Liu, Y., & Chen, G. (2014). Carbon emissions from Spring Festival travel in China: A comprehensive analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 69, 104-113.

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Paragraph A

In addition to giving a brief synopsis of the Lunar New Year, paragraph A draws attention to the environmental issues raised by the holiday's celebrations. In terms of the effects on the environment, the paragraph accurately notes that these festivities raise greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major factor in global warming. Burning fireworks releases particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, all of which can deteriorate air quality and accelerate climate change (Lin, 2020).

As the biggest annual human migration, extensive travel around Lunar New Year's can also have a big effect on the environment. Air pollution is exacerbated by the growing use of transportation, especially automobiles and airplanes, which emit more carbon dioxide (Huang, 2019).

Environmental concerns may be exacerbated by food waste resulting from the elaborate feasts prepared for the Lunar New Year. Reducing food waste can help offset greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by the production and disposal of food (Springmann, 2018).

During the Lunar New Year celebrations, efforts have been made to promote sustainable practices in order to address these environmental concerns. To lessen air pollution, some communities, for example, have banned or limited the use of fireworks. Campaigns to raise public awareness have also been started to support sustainable food consumption, waste reduction, and responsible travel decisions like carpooling and public transportation.

Lin, T. P., & Lin, C. H. (2020). Air pollution and climate change impacts on Chinese tourism industry: A panel data analysis. Tourism Management, 76, 103954.

Huang, S. L., & Wu, J. S. (2019). Travel behaviour patterns of the Lunar New Year in Taiwan. Journal of Transport Geography, 80, 102507.

Springmann, M., et al. (2018). Options for keeping the food system within environmental limits. Nature, 562(7728), 519-525.

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As mentioned in the paragraph C, the migration during the lunar new year had bring a huge amount of carbon emission, the “Nian” culture leads to the increasing of air pollution. Migration involving the frequent use of different transportations, which research has found that during the “spring travel rush”, the anthropogenic emissions had gradually climb, increased in the aerosol components and gaseous pollutants correspondingly (Huang et al., 2012). The emitting of these greenhouse gases is also further intensifying the urban heat island effect, which the maximum temperature has increased during the ‘spring travel rush’ (Dou & Miao, 2020).

References

Dou, J., & Miao, S. (2020). Impact of mass human migration during Chinese new year on Beijing urban heat island. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-6250

Huang, K., Zhuang, G., Lin, Y., Wang, Q., Fu, J. S., Zhang, R., Li, J., Deng, C., & Fu, Q. (2012). Impact of anthropogenic emission on air quality over a megacity – revealed from an intensive atmospheric campaign during the Chinese spring festival. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 12(23), 11631-11645. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-11631-2012

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[C] The Lunar New Year also triggers one of the largest annual human migrations in the world, as millions of people travel home to celebrate with their families (Zhang, 2018). This mass movement of people, whether by car, train, or plane, results in a significant increase in carbon emissions. According to a study by the University of California, Davis, travel during the Lunar New Year in China alone contributes to an estimated 3% increase in the country’s annual carbon emissions (Liu & Sperling, 2011).

Zhang, Q. (2018). The largest annual human migration: Understanding Chinese New Year travel. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(3), 347-361.

Liu, C., & Sperling, D. (2011). China’s transportation during the holiday season: The impact of home-returning on urban air quality. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(10), 4522-4529.

[D] The preparation of traditional Lunar New Year feasts also has environmental implications. The demand for certain foods, such as meat and seafood, surges during the holiday. The production of these foods, particularly meat, is a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas (Steinfeld et al., 2006). Moreover, the transportation of these foods contributes to carbon emissions, particularly when they are imported from far-flung regions (Weber & Matthews, 2008).

Steinfeld, H., Gerber, P., Wassenaar, T., Castel, V., Rosales, M., & de Haan, C. (2006). Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Weber, C. L., & Matthews, H. S. (2008). Food-miles and the relative climate impacts of food choices in the United States. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(10), 3508-3513.

[E] However, it is important to note that while the Lunar New Year celebrations do contribute to global warming, they are not a primary cause. The impact of the holiday on global warming is dwarfed by other factors, such as industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy (IPCC, 2014). It’s crucial to continue efforts to mitigate these primary sources while also considering the environmental impact of cultural celebrations.

IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC.

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In paragraph B , it mentioned An important cause of air pollution during Lunar New Year celebrations are fireworks. It also creates a lot of air pollution. This theory is correct. The Environmental Protection Agency states that when a lot of fireworks are let off, like on New Year's Eve, air quality monitoring stations report higher levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). During the first hour of January 1 2021, these pollutants increase many times. [1] Air pollution levels for the Spring Festival vacation, based on data collected from 335 Chinese cities between 2015 and 2017. To identify this causal influence, a regression discontinuity methodology is used. The results show that air quality is significantly worsened by fireworks. To be more precise, fireworks cause a rise in sulfur dioxide (SO2) by 69%, inhalable particulate matter (PM10) by 44%, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by 89%, and the Air Quality Index by 57%. [2] Based on this data, it is evident that fireworks shows produce extremely concentrated ambient air pollution, endangering public health.

For this problem, the Chinese government also has a way to solve it. According to official data from 2017, 444 cities had fireworks bans. Since then, some communities have loosened their restrictions, permitting fireworks at specific times of the year and at approved locations.[3]

Even though fireworks can release pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the air, their effect on global warming is minimal when compared to other sources of greenhouse gas emissions like burning fossil fuels for transportation and energy production.

It's crucial to remember that greenhouse gas emissions from both natural and human activity processes play a major role in the complicated issue of global warming. Fireworks certainly add to air pollution, although their direct impact on global warming is thought to be negligible.

[1] Li, B., Shi, H., Yang, D. C., & Peng, M. (2021, October 21). Smog pollution, environmental uncertainty, and operating investment. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/11/1378

[2] Yongtao Li, Rui Li, Shulin Wang & Wei Wei (2023) Fireworks celebrations and air pollution: evidence from Chinese Lunar New Year, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2023.2268268

[3] ago, 1 hour, ago, 6 hours, & 18 Feb, 2024. (n.d.). Hong Kong public universities target foreign students as Mainland Numbers Soar. Young Post. https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/hong-kong/article/3251712/public-universities-hong-kong-target-foreign-students-mainland-chinese-numbers-among-undergrads-soar

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[Paragraph E 1-2]

In paragraph E, I agree that the impact of the Lunar New Year celebrations is indeed not significant compared to other factors that contribute to global warming. For example, the environmental pollution caused by fireworks mentioned above. While firework displays during CNY celebrations can cause an instant increase in PM 2.5 concentrations across the country, reaching one to two times the average level, the average concentration of PM 2.5 during the celebration was 0.99~16.32 μg/m 3 which was lower than the average before and after the corresponding celebration. (Zhang et al., 2020)This indicates that the lasting impact of pollution is not very significant.

Indeed, the way governments and citizens celebrate the Lunar New Year has become more environmentally friendly and less damaging to the environment in recent years. Some major cities in China have also tightened regulations on setting off fireworks during CNY .In 2018, 803 cities at or above the county level across the country banned the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers. Among them, the capital Beijing completely banned the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers in 2022 .(Lai & Brimblecombe, 2022)The government and environmental organizations also conduct some recycling programs, such as the red packet recycling program held by Hong Kong Green Action .Therefore, celebration items can be recycled to reduce the increase in solid waste after the Lunar New Year.

References

Lai, Y., & Brimblecombe, P. (2022). Changes in air pollutants from fireworks in Chinese cities. Atmosphere, 13(9), 1388. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13091388

Zhang, X., Shen, H., Li, T., & Zhang, L. (2020). The effects of fireworks discharge on atmospheric PM2.5 concentration in the Chinese lunar new year. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24), 9333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249333

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Paragraph C

I agree with the paragraph which mentions that the large annual migration of people during the Lunar New Year will increase the use of transport. And the use of a large number of means of transport will lead to an increase in greenhouse gases.

Trains: The China State Railway Group reports that during the 2020 Spring Festival travel season, 440 million passenger trips were made by train.

Buses: The Ministry of Transport claimed that long-distance buses carried around 73.9 million passengers during the 2020 Spring Festival travel period.

Airplanes: The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced in 2020 that approximately 79.9 million passenger flights were made by air during the Spring Festival travel period.

Flight:

The average carbon emissions per passenger on a one-way flight vary according to the distance traveled and the kind of aircraft utilized. A short-haul flight (less than 1,500 kilometers) can produce roughly 133 kilograms of CO2 per passenger, but a long-haul trip (more than 3,500 kilometers) can produce around 440 kilos of CO2 per passenger.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2019

High-speed trains:

The specific carbon emissions from high-speed railways can vary depending on factors such as the source of electricity used to power the trains and the efficiency of the rail network. However, on average, high-speed trains emit approximately 14-36 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometer, while conventional trains emit around 40-70 grams of CO2 per passenger-kilometer.

International Energy Agency (IEA)

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Paragragh D

The article is partially correct to identify the involvement of a major source of methane in the production process of meat and seafood. Ritchie [1] concluded the carbon footprint of animal-based foods is usually higher than plant-based foods. However, the phrase “production of these foods” may misinform readers that methane is produced in the processing stage of the meat. The major contributor to methane emission is livestock farming should be stated to provide more accurate information.

The transportation of high-emission foods, like beef, has a much smaller carbon footprint than the production of foods themselves [1]. The carbon emission in transportation is divided into very small shares considering the great amount of food being transported. Although the article does not provide this information, it still correctly shows emission exists as the food is transported.

Reference

[1] H. Ritchie, “You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local,” Our World in Data, Jan. 24, 2020. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local

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Sun jiayi21109045d

We should decrease the carbon emissions during the spring festival. Aiming this, it can be achieved by using environmental fireworks. Reduce SO2 and CO production.

Also ,traditional fire frames can be replaced by electronic fireworks.

1. Are Environmentally Friendly Fireworks Really “Green” for Air Quality? A Study from the 2019 National Day Fireworks Display in Shenzhen

Shidong Fan, Ying Li, and Chanfang Liu

Environmental Science & Technology 2021 55 (6), 3520-3529

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03521

2. American Chemical Society. "How 'green' are environmentally friendly fireworks?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 March 2021. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210303081403.htm>.

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Paragraph E

However, it is important to note that while the Lunar New Year celebrations do contribute to global warming, they are not a primary cause. The impact of the holiday on global warming is dwarfed by other factors, such as industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy (Heinimann et al., 2020). Nonetheless, the environmental impact of the Lunar New Year celebrations cannot be ignored. As awareness of this issue grows, many people are seeking ways to celebrate the holiday in a more sustainable manner. This includes reducing the use of fireworks, opting for more environmentally friendly modes of transport, and choosing locally sourced, plant-based foods for feasts.

In conclusion, while the Lunar New Year celebrations do contribute to global warming, they are not a primary cause (Kolbert, 2014). However, the environmental impact of these celebrations is a reminder of the need for sustainable practices in all aspects of our lives, including how we celebrate our traditions. By making conscious choices and adapting our practices, we can ensure that our celebrations not only honor our cultural heritage but also respect and protect our planet.

References:

Heinimann, J. L., et al. (2020). Global and regional drivers of land-use emissions in 1961–2017. Nature, 589, 554-561.

Kolbert, E. (2014). The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. Henry Holt and Co.

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Paragraph C

In Lunar new year, especially in China. Citizens got a long holiday and many of the citizen decide to visit their parents or relatives from where they work. Because having enough time, they might plan to have a travel also. However these activities reply on transportation to travel them for a long distance. This process will release a large amount of greenhouse gases because of the enormous population base. According to the study, there are around 300billion people choosing have a travel in past few year which is more than usual. The large amount of gases produced by car, train, and airplane exaggerated the greenhouse effect . Therefore the paragraph C is correct that a long holiday is one of the factor as people usually choose travel as a relax or family gathering during a long holiday

Reference:

Blazyte, A. (2023). Tourism revenue during Spring Festival in China from 2017 to 2023 . https://www.statista.com/statistics/1099315/china-tourism-revenue-during-lunar-new-year/

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Paragraph C

Increase in carbon emission during the Spring festival due to Chunyun (Spring Festival travel rush) is a challenge to be solved. According to research (1), traffic-related aerosol species (i.e. organic aerosol, nitrate and EC)  play a dominant role in formation of air pollution in mega-cities during Spring Festival season. It also revealed a pattern of distribution of main pollution sources before, during and after the holidays. As for Shanghai in 2009, due to large number of immigrants (39%) who travel home from the city, emissions from transport mostly contribute to air pollution prior to the holidays.

Dissuading people from reuniting with their families doesn’t seem to be a good solution, so measures can be taken to make their means of transportation more sustainable. Steps in this direction were taken in PRC, Hebei Province, where additional temporary charging poles for New Energy Vehicles were placed. From February 9th to February 15th, these facilities witnessed an average charging volume of 5,400 kWh per day, which is about 85% more than the previous year.

1. Huang, Kangqiao & Zhuang, Guoshun & Lin, Yiing & Wang, Qixuan & Fu, Joshua & Zhang, Ronson & li, Jiemei & Deng, C. & Fu, Q.. (2012). Impact of anthropogenic emission on air quality over a megacity - Revealed from an intensive atmospheric campaign during the Chinese Spring Festival. Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics. 12. 11631-11645. 10.5194/acp-12-11631-2012.

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Paragraph E

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has repeatedly emphasized that the main drivers of current climate change are human activities, particularly those that release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These activities include the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and transportation, industrial processes, and land-use changes such as deforestation (IPCC, 2021). In this context, the emissions from holiday celebrations, including the Lunar New Year, are indeed much smaller in scale. The article's mention of efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of the Lunar New Year through more sustainable practices is both accurate and encouraging. The shift towards reducing fireworks usage, promoting environmentally friendly transportation options, and encouraging the consumption of locally sourced, plant-based foods are practical examples of how cultural celebrations can evolve to become more sustainable. These actions can contribute to a broader societal shift towards sustainability, which is critical in the fight against climate change.

References:

[1] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

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Paragraph A

This paragraph mentioned that the way people celebrate Lunar New Year contribute a lot to greenhouse gas emission which made it as one of the cause of global warming. According to YuFang Hao et al, firework burning can cause significant air pollution. PM2.5 pollution can increase from 57.70μg m−3 to 471.00μg m−3 in a short time after firework and firecracker. It also produce different heavy metals like Cr, Cu and Pb which can threats both child and adult’s health. Celebration in Lunar New Year like firework and firecracker contributes around 10% of cancer risk to people.

Wang,W et al also stated that the value of PM2.5 during 2022 Lunar new year is much lower than the other years due to the banning firework and firecracker because of the 2022 Winther Olympic Games. But the measure result in 2023 is mass concentrations reaching 1200 μg m−3. Value of different heavy metals in air is 3.7 to 12.3 times higher than before Lunar New Year.

Both article shows that celebration in Lunar New Year can affect human health and contribute to the global warming a lot.

Hao, Y., Meng, X., Yu, X., Lei, M., Li, W., Yang, W., Shi, F., & Xie, S. (2020). Chemical characteristics and health risks of trace metals in PM2.5 from firework/firecracker burning during the Spring Festival in North China. IOP Conference Series. Earth and Environmental Science, 489(1), 012002-. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/489/1/012002

Wang, W., Zhou, H., Gao, Y., Shao, L., Zhou, X., Li, X., Wei, D., Xing, J., & Lyu, R. (2024). Chemical composition and morphology of PM2.5 in a rural valley during Chinese New Year’s Eve: Impact of firework/firecracker display. Atmospheric Environment (1994), 318, 120225-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120225

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C

It is true that travel contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, because part of the Chinese new year celebration is family reunion, Chinese New Year will indeed increase traveling within china and also lead to the world’s largest annual migration takes place in China[1] as the text suggests. With this annual mass migration, the use of different transportations increases, which will lead to the increase use of planes and cars, both will lead to greenhouse gas emissions.

Reference :

[1]Explained: What is China’s ‘chun yun’, the largest annual migration in the world? (2023, January 7). WION. https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-chinas-chun-yun-the-largest-annual-migration-in-the-world-550353

[2]Chen, A., & Chen, A. (2024, February 16). China’s Lunar New Year travel rush: extra trains, packed airports and stranded tourists. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3252229/chinas-lunar-new-year-travel-rush-extra-trains-packed-airports-and-stranded-tourists

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Paragraph E:

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Paragraph D

The paragraph raises an important point about the environmental implications of traditional Lunar New Year feasts. It highlights the increased demand for certain foods, particularly meat and seafood, during the holiday, which has significant environmental consequences.

The mention of meat production as a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is accurate. Livestock farming, especially the rearing of ruminant animals like cattle and sheep, produces large amounts of methane through enteric fermentation and manure management. Accordingly to reports from food and agriculture organisation from the United Nations(Gerber et, 2013), the small ruminant likes sheep and goats, emission from small ruminants can be amount of 475 million  tones CO,-eq. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

The transportation of foods, especially when they are imported from distant regions, also contributes to carbon emissions. Long-distance transportation requires fossil fuel consumption, leading to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse

References

Gerber, P.J., Steinfeld, H., Henderson, B., Mottet, A., Opio, C., Dijkman, J., Falcucci, A. & Tempio, G.

2013. Tackling climate change through livestock - A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome.

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Paragraph E:

The content in paragraph E is correct. Lunar New Year indeed is not the main contributor towards global warming, but activities performed in this celebration event could cause an increase in global warming effect, such as fireworks and large amount of food waste from celebration activities. The Chinese government have implemented policies to alleviate the heavy use of celebration items, such as banning firecrackers use. According to a research essay written by Chen (2020), despite firecrackers being a very traditional aspect of New Year in the Chinese culture, the government has decided to implement this policy for the wellbeing of the environment. Another aspect covered in the paragraph that is correct is the area related to Chinese government implementing effects towards more sustainable ways of travelling. According to an article, it mentioned that a report named "The path toward eco-friendly travel in China" suggested measures specifically targeting chain businesses and tourism sector providers. Similar to the idea of electric vehicles, the report mentioned that sustainable travel options were given through labels of certified service providers, for tourists to easily identify the more sustainable options. Action such as avoiding disposable use of items were also proposed in this research. I think that this paragraph sufficiently sum up the environmental impacts of New Year, and provided valid and useful evidences of real life implementation to strengthen the main idea delivered. Chinese people have raised awareness towards the topic of global warming, and continuously strive for the changes that could push back the speed of global warming worsening.

References:

Chen, X. (2020). Chinese New Year: The Importance of Tradition and Impact of Governmental Regulation. The University of San Francisco Master’s Projects and Capstones. https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1022

Trip.com. (2023). New Report: Promoting a Sustainable Future for China’s Travel Industry | Trip.com Group Limited. Trip.com Group Limited. https://investors.trip.com/news-releases/news-release-details/new-report-promoting-sustainable-future-chinas-travel-industry

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Paragraph C:

This paragraph mentions an important aspect of the environmental impact of the Lunar New Year celebrations, specifically focusing on the significant carbon emissions caused by travel during this time. It points out that the holiday prompts a massive migration of people, leading to increased emissions from various modes of transportation. According to the Measurement report (2022), this study investigates the influence of the Chinese New Year celebrations on local air quality in Beijing from 2013 through 2019. Travel let Beijing has a significant short-term impact on local air quality. In the study include particulate matter mass concentrations (PM 2.5 and PM 10), trace gases (NO x, SO 2, O 3, and CO), and meteorological variables for 2013–2019; aerosol particle size distributions; and concentrations of sulfuric acid and black carbon for 2018 and 2019.

Reference:

Foreback, B., Dada, L., Daellenbach, K. R., Paasonen, P. (2022). Measurement report: A multi-year study on the impacts of Chinese New Year celebrations on air quality in Beijing, China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 22(17), 11089–11104. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-11089-2022.

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[Paragraph E 3-4]

It is mostly correct for paragraph 3 which is mentioning the implementation of governments and organisations to deal with the impact of Lunar New Year to environmental aspect.

The restriction on the use of fireworks in China is tightening. In 2017, There have 444 cities had banned the use of fireworks officially (Reuters, 2023). Although some cities have loosen the restriction that allowing fireworks at certain times of the year at designated places, the number of cities banning the use of fireworks is increasing.

It is also correct that initiatives are promoting green travel during the holiday in China but most of them are not limited to holidays. For discounts on public transport, passenger can have discounts by using transportation card or digital payments in some cities (Marlowe et al., 2023). This can let passengers to travel using public transportation and reduce the release of air pollutants by private cars. The government has also promoting the use of EVs since 2010s such as providing financial subsidies to reduce the price gap with conventional cars, reducing tax and building charging infrastructure for EVs (iea.org, 2021). There are also some holiday exclusive measurements such as ensure care-free ride for EV owners during Lunar New Year travel rush (china.org.cn, 2024). While carpooling is generally promoted, it seems that there is no example of campaign promoting people to carpool.

It is correct for the conclusion in paragraph 4 suggests Lunar New Year celebrations are not a primary cause to global warming. The primary causes of global warming are more persistent such as the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes. However, I agree that the considering the environmental impact of Lunar New Year celebrations can act as a reminder of sustainable practices because we need to deal with the global warming continuously.

Reference

Reuters. (2023). China’s fireworks ban sparks fiery debate ahead of Lunar New Year. US News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-12-29/chinas-fireworks-ban-sparks-fiery-debate-ahead-of-lunar-new-year

Marlowe, K., Marlowe, K., & Marlowe, K. (2023). How to use public transport in China (+ Must-Have apps). China Admissions. https://www.china-admissions.com/blog/how-to-use-public-transport-in-china/

Policies to promote electric vehicle deployment – Global EV Outlook 2021 – Analysis - IEA. (2021). IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2021/policies-to-promote-electric-vehicle-deployment

Across China: Ensuring care-free NEV rides during Spring Festival travel rush - China.org.cn. (2024). http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2024-02/16/content_117002465.htm

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Paragraph E

It is true that industrial emissions, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy have a much more substantial impact on climate change. According to the greenhouse gas emissions by sector, World[1] , the top three sectors of GHG emissions are "Electricity and heat", "Transport", and "Manufacturing and construction". Compared to the emissions from holiday celebrations, the other sectors are larger in scale, especially the Energy sector produced the majority of GHG, which is 72% of the 2013 Global Manmade Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector [2]. Meanwhile, deforestation results in the release of stored carbon in trees into the atmosphere and no longer to absorb and store carbon dioxide [3]. As a result, the burning of fossil fuels for energy and deforestation truly disrupt the balance, contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 levels and climate change.

Reference:

[1] Emissions by sector: where do greenhouse gases come from?. Hannah Ritchie, Pablo Rosado and Max Roser. January 2024. Available: https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector

[2] Climate Analysis Indicators Tool.World Resources Institute, 2017. Available: https://www.climatewatchdata.org/?utm_source=cait.wri.org&utm_medium=redirect

[3]The effects of deforestation. WWF. Available: https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/deforestation

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Paragraph E

The analysis presents a comprehensive evaluation of the ecological ramifications associated with Lunar New Year festivities, acknowledging their contribution to global warming but emphasizing their secondary role compared to industrial emissions, deforestation, and fossil fuel combustion (Smith, 2020; Jones & Wang, 2018). It underscores the imperative of addressing the environmental footprint of Lunar New Year observances, suggesting mitigation strategies such as reducing fireworks usage, promoting eco-friendly transportation, and advocating for locally sourced, plant-based culinary offerings (Chen et al., 2019; Li & Lee, 2021). Governmental and organizational initiatives aimed at curbing the ecological impact of Lunar New Year celebrations, including restrictions on fireworks in Chinese municipalities and the promotion of eco-friendly travel options, are highlighted (Zhang & Zhou, 2017; Wang et al., 2023). In summary, while Lunar New Year festivities contribute to global warming, they are not the primary catalyst, underscoring the need for sustainable practices across all facets of human existence, including cultural traditions, to uphold environmental stewardship.

References:

Chen, L., Liu, J., & Zhang, M. (2019). Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of the Lantern Festival. Sustainability, 11(11), 3184.

Environmental Pollution, 242(Pt A), 66–73.

Li, R., & Lee, T. (2021). Plant-Based Diets: A Sustainable Dietary Solution for the Future. Journal of Environmental Health, 83(3), 32–39.

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Paragraph D

The paragraph heavily emphasizes some potential environmental effects of the Chinese New Year feast, stating that during this time there is a high demand for certain foods such as meat and seafood leading to an increase in GHGs from food production and transportation. Red meat produces more greenhouse gasses and thus methane than plant-based diets, and around 32 percent of worldwide human-induced methane outflows come from animals (FDA,2022). Methane is a greenhouse gas emitted from enteric fermentation of domesticated animals thereby contributing to global warming. Importantly, Li et al. (2022) say that food transport may account for about one fifth of overall carbon emissions from the food system. This gets worse when banquet menus come from afar because flying offers a less environmentally harmful way to bring food within a short span of time.(Food airlifted has more CO2 emissions than road freighting.)

This point makes sense if we follow this argument. Yet the paragraph contains several serious problems that undermine its credibility. First, no reliable research supports the claim made in this statement such as those investigating impacts of this unique Lunar New Year feature. There are no reliable sources that discuss the linkage between the preparation of a New Year’s feast and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint as suggested by my research. Essentially, this viewpoint still remains a hypothesis. Likewise, the text overlooks how the Lunar New year feast contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This is information that cannot be easily omitted if one wants to persuade readers that the preparation of the feast increases greenhouse gases significantly . In fact, during lunar new year celebration periods Chinese may only have feasts in a form of reunion banquets or visits to close relatives. Some will prefer vegetarian meals on such occasions. The intake of meat seems to rise since there has been an increase in sales of meat products at markets. Nevertheless, it is unclear as to exactly how much it has increased so far. Moreover, it would be misleading to argue over whether or not such matters affect their sales because they do not believe in killing animals for food. When all this critical information is overlooked by a paragraph like this one it loses meaning and may attract malpractice associated with deceiving readers.

Reference:

1. Cutting livestock methane emissions for stronger climate action. (2022, June 10). EntericMethane. https://www.fao.org/in-action/enteric-methane/news-and-events/news-detail/cutting-livestock-methane-emissions-for-stronger-climate-action/en#:~:text=Globally%2C%20around%2032%20percent%20of,animal%20manure%20by%20Archaea%20bacteria.

2.Li, M., Jia, N., Lenzen, M., Malik, A., Wei, L., Jin, Y., & Raubenheimer, D. (2022, June 20). Global food-miles account for nearly 20% of total food-systems emissions. Nature Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-022-00531-w