Kimberly Lu 3B (29)
The Chief Executive Donald Tsang introduced the 2009-2010 Policy address at the Legislative Council on 14 October 2009. The Policy Address booklets are printed with environmentally friend ink on recycled paper. This shows the determination of the Chief
Executive of improving the environment.
Let us focus on the environment and education aspects. Under the chapter of
Quality City and Quality Life, Donald Tsang invites all the schools to sign a “green lunch” charter to avoid the use of disposable containers and cutlery, and to reduce food waste. This policy encourages schools to make new installations to facilitate “green lunch”.
As a Hong Kong student, I think this policy comes too late. The disposable containers and cutlery increases the solid waste as they are usually made of non-degradable materials that will stay in earth forever and pollute the environment. Also the burning of these wastes will emit toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide which directs to the greenhouse effect that worsens our environment such as climate change. In addition, the situation of food waste is very serious in Hong Kong, as students do not appreciate what they have.
By promoting the “green lunch”, it decreases the solid and food waste and improves the condition of Global Warming. I recommend the government to cooperate with the schools to alert the students that people in the third countries are suffering from starvation due to poverty and climate change, to teach them the message to value food.
Government and schools should hold more talks and exhibitions to promote the importance of “green lunch” to enhance the acceptance of the policy.
Under the economic aspects, the government promotes a package of measurements to release over 1000 old industrial buildings. To promote premises and land to meet Hong Kong’s changing economic and social needs. The government will lower the threshold for compulsory sale, enables owners to pay installments who modify the lease for redevelopment and exempt owners who opt for the wholesale conversion of a building.
I welcome this policy as the measures can address the needs of economic development by enabling owners to revitalize and add value to their industrial buildings, to provide new momentum for economic growth and the construction work of renewal of the building brings job opportunities. After the revitalization, the industrial land use will change into commercial land use. As a result, it will promote prosperity and stimulate the economic activities in that district. In addition, people will make the best use of the industrial buildings to obtain profit, thereby promoting economic development.
To conclude, our Chief Executive has done a good job in redevelopment of industrial buildings, but for the environment aspects, he should do more in order to improve the situation of Global Warming, pollutions in Hong Kong and make a sensation to concern our planet.