Coping with dust storm events: Information, impacts and policymaking in Taiwan

Abstract

Long-range transport of dust, from the deserts and sand lands of China and Mongolia, has recently become an emerging international environmental issue. Observations record an increase in the intensity and frequency of dust storm events and that the events occur earlier and are longer-lasting. Among the dust storm events, were those, which tran sported elevated dust particles across the Pacific Ocean to reach North and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and North America, including Canada and the United States. These events have a negative impact on public health, visibility, aviation and pollution. The pressing need to document dust episodes and to assess the associated impacts is now widely recognized. While most research focuses on atmospheric aspects of dust events, a better understanding of their wide-ranging impact and policy responses must also be properly addressed. This paper adopts a conceptual framework for information collection and distribution, environmental impacts and policymaking. It draws on scientific research findings from the EPA's Intensive Monitoring Project on China's Dust Storms and examines how dust issues are raised and framed in the policymaking process. Given the frequency, intensity and impact of long-range transport dust events in Taiwan, this paper raises and discusses a set of policy options and recommendations relevant to this natural phenomenon.