环保“临避效应”(huánbǎo línbì xiàoyìng): 'Not in my backyard' effect of environmental projects

Protests have taken place in several cities in opposition to local governmental plans to build garbage incinerators and waste water treatment plants. On the one hand, people realize the need to construct such treatment plants. On the other hand, it's a case of "not in my backyard".

The demand for environmental treatment plants has grown drastically, but the lack of transparency makes the public worried when their city or community is selected for constructing such facilities.

In order to solve the dilemma, the government needs to be transparent in its decision-making process so that the public know how and why their city is selected to house such plants and any potential health risks involved in their operations.

More importantly, the higher authorities need to introduce reimbursement mechanisms, so that the cities that are selected for the building of such plants get compensation for their sacrifices.