Theme: The Air We Breathe
Learning and Teaching Activities
Information search and discussion on joint efforts of
Governments to control air pollution
Teaching tips
Teach students how and where to search the information of the topic. Then ask students to
think them deeply. Also, lead the students to have logical analysis.
The worksheet could be distributed 2-3 days before the activity.
Objective: Realize the joint effort across the border for controlling air pollution.
Introduction
Outdoor air pollutants may not simply affect a local environment. Air current can be a
dispersive agent spreading the persistent pollutants to cause regional and even continental
problems. Solutions for environmental problems usually require regional/ international
co-operation and efforts. Governments of Hong Kong and the Guang Dong Province have
been cooperating to improve the air quality for years.
In this exercise, students are work in groups (3 – 5 students a group) and have to search and
collect information about Joint efforts of local and Guang Dong Province governments in
controlling the regional air pollution problems; newspaper / issue clippings (from web and
newspaper in library) could be used as the sources. Type key words such as “粵港 空氣污染
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問題” to search the information in web search engine.
A group is required to collect 3 – 5 newspaper / issue clippings. Then discuss on the joint
efforts of the governments on controlling air pollution problems.
Discuss the following questions:
1. Could you list 2 examples of trans - border air pollutants and their sources?
2. Do we need joint efforts of government to control cross – boarder air pollution problems?
3. What are the limitations and constraints for the co – operation between the governments?
4. What have to be done before the implementation of measures to treat the cross – border
air pollution problems?
Useful References:
1. The Government of Hong Kong SAR．The Government of HKSAR web site，press
release ， 粵 港 政 府 達 成 共 識 改 善 珠 江 三 角 洲 空 氣 質 素 ． Web address:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200204/29/0429141.htm
2. The Government of Hong Kong SAR．The Government of HKSAR web site，中華人民
共 和 國 香 港 特 別 行 政 區 成 立 五 周 年 大 事 紀 要 ， 環 境 ． Web address:
http://www.gov.hk/info/sar5/cenvir.htm
3. 香港中文大學社會學系．通識教育支援網，香港環境，空氣及噪音污染．Web address:
http://ihome.cuhk.edu.hk/~b103405/ls2001/news/environment/es_hk.htm#airnoisepollution
4. 香港教育署．環境教育網，全球的環境議題，國際環境合作．Web address:
http://resources.ed.gov.hk/envir-ed/globalissue/c_index.htm
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Suggested answers (Accept alternative and correct answers)
1.
Could you list 2 examples of trans - border air pollutants and their sources?
Particulate matters from combustion of fossil fuel / acid rain from emission of power
station acidic gas emission / any appropriate answers.
2.
Do we need joint efforts of government to control cross – boarder air pollution
problems?
As air pollutants will spread, co-operative effort is the only way to minimize / alleviate
the air pollution problem.
3.
What are the limitations and constraints for the co – operation between the
governments?
Different policies of the governments / High cost and advance technology for
investigation of pollution level and management of pollution treatment measures, etc.
4.
What have to be done before the implementation of measures to treat the cross – border
air pollution problems?
Investigation/survey on the cross – border air qualities have to be performed before
implementing measures, as objectives and goals of the measures have to be set based on
the investigation result. Both parties must know that the limitations and constraints of
co – operation such as different policies of the governments. Agreement on the
implementation plan and the bearing and sharing of financial burden must be made.
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