The Social Construction of Air Pollution in Shanghai

Kristen Day (New York University)
Lin Lin (Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University)

Much research on ambient air pollution comprises scientific studies that characterize the components of air pollution and document their negative impacts. Citizens’ understandings of air pollution do not match these technical characterizations. Citizens are less likely to demand improvements to air quality when they do not regard pollution as a significant problem. This paper examines the specific meanings of air pollution in the context of Shanghai, where air pollution levels are high. Drawing on in-person interviews with 40 Chinese residents of Shanghai, this paper explores how citizens cope with high levels of ambient air pollution in Shanghai by adopting meanings of air pollution that render air pollution less visible; judge air pollution as less harmful; and tolerate air pollution in exchange for economic opportunities. Goffman’s theory of stigma is used to help understand how these meanings help people to cope with air pollution and to maintain positive images of their city in the context of the identify of Shanghai as a global city. Conclusions reinforce the need to incorporate citizens’ understandings of air pollution in efforts to improve air quality in China.