Climate Politics
China’s Censors Allow Environmental Criticism to Flourish Online
- Study finds plants cut emissions after social media complaints
- Authorities tolerated criticism directed at local regulators
A sign warning local residents not to burn trash in order to reduce pollution in Tongling, China.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
In spite of China’s intensifying crackdown on political dissent, residents still have plenty of leeway to air their environmental concerns and criticize polluters on social media, a new study shows.
Public appeals for action made on the social network Weibo reduced pollution violations at industrial plants by more than 60%, according to the study released this month by researchers from the University of Chicago and several other institutions.