The "air quality index" normally tops out at 500.
It's registering 1592 in Beijing right now.
The Gobi Desert is coming.
#YellowDustStorms
It's registering 1592 in Beijing right now.
The Gobi Desert is coming.
#YellowDustStorms
https://twitter.com/onlyyoontv/status/1371259953827119105
These yellow dust storms hammer Beijing in spring, and also reach as Korea and even Japan. They are increasing in frequency and intensity. Deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming practices have destroyed the natural barriers that once held the Gobi Desert in check. 
The Gobi Desert is expanding toward Beijing at more than 1 mile (~2 km) per year.
When this map was made 25 years ago, the Gobi was over 175 miles from Beijing. Today it's less than 150 miles away.
Overall China sees 2250 square miles of land transformed into desert every year.
When this map was made 25 years ago, the Gobi was over 175 miles from Beijing. Today it's less than 150 miles away.
Overall China sees 2250 square miles of land transformed into desert every year.
China has been undertaking a reforestation effort to hold the Gobi in check, nicknamed the "Great Green Wall." It began in 1978 and is hoping to plant 100 billion trees by 2050.
The project has increased forest cover slightly, but has not been super effective.
It counts total trees planted, but many trees do not survive. And under pressure to show results, local officials often planted fast-growing poplars, which are water-hungry and make matters worse.
It counts total trees planted, but many trees do not survive. And under pressure to show results, local officials often planted fast-growing poplars, which are water-hungry and make matters worse.
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