Beijing has issued its first-ever “red alert” for pollution, as China’s capital city is engulfed in thick smog rife with poisonous chemicals that can make residents sick from simply stepping outside. The government has urged schools to close and has ordered a halt on all outdoor construction work. In some Beijing neighborhoods, residents can see only about 600 feet ahead of them. Beijing resident Li Teng spoke out.

Li Teng: “I think it’s really scary. I guess the pollution is serious enough.”

This comes as the western coast of Norway experiences the worst flooding since record-keeping began more than 100 years ago. We’ll speak with climate scientist Kevin Anderson of the University of Manchester in Britain later in the broadcast.