Every morning at 8 a.m., Wang Ruchun steps onto his balcony in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, and points his camera toward the sky. For nearly ten years, this ritual has become an integral part of his daily routine—a personal commitment to documenting the city’s air quality.
Initially, Wang began this project as a way to track the pervasive haze that once blanketed Shijiazhuang. \”The sky was often gray, and the air was heavy,\” he recalls. Each photograph was accompanied by meticulous records of the day’s air quality index and pollution levels, which he diligently noted after checking online reports.
Over the years, however, something remarkable happened. The once-frequent smoggy skies started giving way to clearer, bluer horizons. \”I began to notice more days with blue skies,\” Wang says with a smile. The improvement was not just a personal observation; it reflected the tangible results of environmental initiatives implemented in the region.
Inspired by this positive change, Wang decided to rename the folder where he stores his photographs. What was once called \”Tracking the Haze\” is now aptly titled \”Tracking the Blue Sky.\” The new name signifies not only the transformation of the city’s environment but also a sense of hope for the future.
Wang’s decade-long chronicle serves as a visual testament to Shijiazhuang’s journey toward better air quality. His photographs have become more than just images; they are a narrative of progress and a reminder of the impact that environmental policies can have on everyday life.
\”I want people to see that change is possible,\” Wang explains. \”Each blue sky is a sign of improvement, and I’m grateful to witness it.\”
As Shijiazhuang continues to strive for cleaner air, Wang remains committed to his morning ritual. With camera in hand, he captures each day’s sky—hopeful that the blue will become an enduring feature of his beloved city.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com