Will China Follow In America's Footsteps?

"Los Angeles and Pittsburgh provide examples of what to do - and not to do - about China's severe air pollution in the face of surging energy use from rapid economic growth, U.S. and Chinese scientists say.

The study released Thursday compared the world's two biggest energy consumers, the United States and China.

One of the most important lessons? It makes more sense to try to prevent pollution, rather than clean it up afterward.

The study also found that national controls are important though focusing on small sources of pollution also can have a broad impact.

Los Angeles was compared with the Chinese city of Dalian, both port cities, while Pittsburgh was stacked against Huainan, both coal-rich centers of industry.

According to the study, the result of a 2 1/2 year collaboration between U.S. and Chinese academies of engineering and sciences, both countries still have major problems with dirty air and must improve their energy efficiency."