26. Tiny Particle, Big Action: Public Participation in Environmental Management as Seen in the PM2.5 Case

Abstract

The smog in 2011 caused public concern and the term particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5 ) has since become known to the public. The public, after learning of the adverse health effects of PM 2.5 , started to participate in and contribute to the environmental management process. This chapter traces the process of public attention on PM 2.5 in 2011, and describes the actions and contributions of the media, government, experts, non governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals during the three stages of the half-year event. It also introduces the history of China's monitoring and research of PM 2.5 and analyzes the reasons why public participation in 2011 was able to accelerate the environmental management process. The chapter makes some suggestions for all stakeholders to better encourage public participation in environmental management. February 21 was the first severely polluted day in Beijing in 2011. Keywords: Beijing; environmental management; health effects; non governmental organizations (NGO); tiny particle