Asia's Air (Pollution)

There are many wonderful things about Asia. Most people are very friendly, the food is incredible, the ancient culture's are unique, and there is pristine Nature away from the urban area's.
However, one negative aspect that sets most of Asia apart from the rest of the World is the poor quality of Air. China's cities have notoriously unhealthy air and most cities throughout Asia have terrible air quality.
I happen to live in Taiwan, one of the four economic 'little tigers' of Asia. (others being South Korea, Singapore, & Hong Kong) Taiwan's economic growth has a cost though, as the air quality in it's major cities (where most of it's citizens live) is quite poor many days of the year.
The northern capital of Taipei has poor air quality on many days, mainly due to it's geographical location in a basin (former swamp) surrounded by mountains. Although it has an excellent public transit train and bus system there are almost one million gasoline-powered scooters in the city alone causing much of the pollution. Dust & Industrial Pollution drifting across the Taiwan Strait from China also causes air quality problems at certain times of the year.
Air pollution in other parts of Taiwan is mainly caused by local industries like petrochemical/ethylene, plastics, & other toxic factories.
In southern Kaohsiung, the second largest city, the power plant is the major source of pollution. Taiwan has some of the largest carbon-dioxide producing coal plants in the World, which is shameful to the intelligence here & harmful to the children and elderly living near these monstrous plants.
Besides the obvious solution of converting to alternative energies like wind & solar, and using natural gas instead of coal, expanding conservation efforts is a must. With an island population of 23 milllion, people should be encouraged to use fans instead of cranking their air-conditioners all the time. Industrial plants should be required to conserve energy and toxic industries like ethylene/naptha plastics should be phased out. Even simple acts like encouraging scooters to turn off their engines if sitting at red lights more than 30 seconds would help air quality. (Citizens sitting on gasoline scooters at crowded red lights are exposed to highly toxic levels of pollution particles)
A cultural aspect of air pollution unique to Taiwan is the burning of paper 'money' twice a month.(every new & full moon) Many residents & businesses burn huge amounts of colored (toxic) paper for good luck & to honor the 'ghost' ancestors. This unnecessary ritual makes the pollution even worse on these days. I think the 'ghosts' would accept a ceremonial burned check!
A different aspect of air pollution in Asia is indoor smoking. While the rest of the World is moving forward on this issue (even the pubs in Ireland are smoke-free!) Asia seems stuck in a 1950's time warp. Over 40% of Chinese men are smokers. In Taiwan, although an indoor smoking ban was recently made into law, smoking is still allowed in most pubs and nightclubs. Second-hand smoke is toxic air for everyone & even a non-smokers clothes will reek of smoke. Smoking cigarettes is the worst thing you can do for your health & if you smoke indoors around other people you are a social idiot.
People (not just in Asia) have not connected how their personal choices and actions are contributing to the problem. When we drive our gasoline machines instead of taking public transit or bikes we create more toxic air. When we leave lights on we 'waste' energy that is probably coming from a toxic power source. When we continually buy disposable 'plastic' cups/drinks that cup was created from a toxic plant and needs more energy generated to be recycled. (Reduce/Re-use/then Recycle) Do you know where the energy powering your home & community comes from? If you are not off-grid it is probably from a toxic power source.
We need to demand from our political leaders that citizens lungs are more important than industrial profit & wake up to how our daily actions are interconnected. Also, to appreciate good quality Air whenever we experience it. As the Pink Floyd song says, "Breathe, breathe in the Air..."