Instant Alert: 29 eerie photos that show just how polluted China's air has become

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   29 eerie photos that show just how polluted China's air has become by Sarah Jacobs on Jan 5, 2017, 4:09 PM Advertisement Although no one knows the exact amount of carbon that China emits each year, it's a well-known fact that the country has some of the most polluted air in the world. This Wednesday, Beijing went under a "red alert" for smog — the highest of four tiers — and a "yellow alert" for fog.  In December, pollution so bad that some called it the "airpocalypse" caused a halt of everyday life in Beijing. Cars couldn't be driven, planes were grounded, and schools had to be temporarily closed.   But Beijing isn't the only city affected. The cold winter months often cause air pollution levels to rise throughout much of China, as more homes are burning coal for heat. Below, see 29 photos that show China among the smog. Jack Sommer and Cyrus Engineer contributed reporting to a previous version of this article. SEE ALSO: 20 photos that show the many ways humans are destroying the Earth DON'T MISS: 23 shocking photos that show just how crowded China has become An aerial photo taken during a polluted day in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Two people ride during heavy smog in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. A tree sits between two buildings that tower through the thick smog in Jinan, Shandong province. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011