The environmental citizen journalists of Nomad Green are voicing their opinions on issues surrounding the degrading environment in Mongolia. The articles are originally posted in Mongolian language and some of them are being translated in Chinese and English.
City University student Munkhtsatsral. B reports (translated by Bolorerdene) that Global warming started to affect in Mongolia since 1970 and these natural disasters occur most in Mongolia:
Wildfires: 15% of Mongolia's landscape consists of forests which are prone to wildfires. In 1998, 132 wildfires occured.
Dust storms and Blizzards: In 1996-1997 there was a blizzard that caused 600000 cattle to freeze and affected 20% of Mongolia’s land.
Drought: One-fourth of Mongolia becomes affected by drought in every 2 or 3 years.
And also there is heavy rainfall and flood.
Traditional dwellings in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, are responsible for 60% of the city's air pollution during the long winter months. Image by Andrew Cullen. Copyright Demotix.
Bulgantsetseg.N. argues that the Mongolian dwelling Ger (Yurt) is a traditional habitat which is strongly related to the Mongolian cultural features, living condition, weather condition and other reasons. Although it is the main cause of pollution in the capital Ulaanbaatar, they can be used in countryside.
Mongol ger is not just a habitat that poor people live in. it looks like a simple consumption in our everyday life, but it is not as simple as it is seen. This is real historical evidence that shows Mongolian traditional culture in early days. That is why Mongol ger should be used for people like herders in countryside, so that Mongol ger won’t lose essential things itself.
Bolorerdene E points out that the increase in pollution in Ulaanbaatar in the last 10 years is severe, not only because of air pollution. Bolorerdene comments:
Every year there’s 600 thousand meter cube trash, 25% is paper, 17% organic, 34% is plastic, can, bottles, and ash. The 20% of dangerous trash is exposed and without any attention, so the government should take an immediate move against this.
Urantuya.M. talks about citizens’ consciousness regarding proper disposal of garbage and using fumeless fuel for a greener environment.
Bayarmaa.J. draws attention to another problem in Ulaanbaatar:
The detergent facility of Ulaanbaatar must filter the dirty water before throw water out to the Tuul River; they just throw water with chemical toxic substance out to the Tuul River straight away because of technical error for the last years. The fishes in Tuul River have been destroyed by big number by people’s wrong action.
Read the Nomad Green website for more updates.
