Air Pollution in Hong Kong
Introduction
Air pollution was so serious not only in Hong Kong, but also the world. Many people and organizations criticized that Hong Kong government always paid more attention to economic development than environmental issues, such as the problem of air pollution. Before looking at arguments in favour of whether government took action to stop air pollution from worsening in Hong Kong, we will first discuss the problem of air pollution in Hong Kong and then find out the causes and effects of air pollution. Some suggestions will also be made at the end of this essay.
Air pollution in Hong Kong
Some people questioned that air pollution in Hong Kong is very serious. According to Mr T (no date), he suggested that air pollution affected only ten percent land area of Hong Kong because Hong Kong was mountainous. Therefore, people can breathe in fresh air at countryside and beaches, such as Sai Kung and the south side of Hong Kong island etc.. However, a figure from Masset (no date) showed that Hong Kong were one of the cities facing the deteriorating problem in air pollution. According to a statistic from Environmental Protection Department, the air pollution in Causeway Bay, Central and Mongkok were the most serious. As Cheng (no date) said that people might feel sticky, smelly and stuffy when they are on tram in Causeway Bay, which mean that the air pollution was very serious in most of area of Hong Kong.
Causes
The polluted air from Pearl River delta might cause air pollution in Hong Kong become worse According to Study of Air Quality in the Pearl River Delta region conducted by CH2M HILL (China) Ltd, it is pointed out that population growth and economic development between Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta region resulted in the deteriorating air quality. According to Wong (2001), it is indicated that air quality is affected by increasingly energy expand which resulted from population growth, rapid industrialization, urbanization and higher per capita. Besides, pollutants released from factories also deteriorated air pollution. As Ng (2005) said that there are about 500 power plants of various sizes in Guangdong. Most of them are coal-burning plants that release large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. In addition, the polluted air move and falls into Hong Kong district by the season-winds. As the research (Massets 2005) explained why the Western New Territories and the Tung Chung areas are especially polluted while these places without any onshore winds.
Besides, roadside pollution also worsened air quality. According to Liao (2004), roadside pollution is one kind of air pollution in Hong Kong caused by vehicles, industrial and commercial operations. Emissions from diesel fuel vehicles, such as lorry and bus, aggravate the problem of air pollution in that it releases a large amount of pollutant which is fatal to human health and environment. Honeywell (2005) pointed out that many trucks commute between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Drivers prefer buying diesel and fill up on the Mainland to finish the process in Hong Kong. But the quality of diesel fuel in china is lower and it worsens the roadside pollution eventually.
Effects
Air pollution affects people’s health is an important problem. As Ho(2000) pointed out that the air pollution caused many pulmonary diseases, such as sough, asthma, bronchitis, dyspnea and etc.. If people breathe in an elevated levels of suspended particles, the mortality will be increased. According to (www.greenpeace.org/china/en/campaigns/stop-climate-change/impacts/air-pollution no date), found that if a healthy person always exist in an environment which has elevated carbon monoxide(CO) concentration, their work capacity will be reduced, their mental function will be destroyed and their learning ability will be turned to a bad level.
According to a survey conducted by Scott Lee, he pointed out that 96% of Hong Kong people felt uncomfortable with their eyes, noses and throats. 37% people had problem in breathing and 30% had skin problem due to the worsening air pollution. Therefore, good quality of air is significant to human’s health.
Moreover, many people become nervous in spite of air pollution. According to Lee (no date), 49% people are worrying about the environment of their living location being affected by air pollution. 53% of those wanted to move to somewhere with fresh air. If they continue to live in polluted area, like Mongkok, they have to face the danger of suffering health problem.
Apart from human’s health, the environment is also affected by air pollution. According to (www.epa.gov/airmarkets/acidrain/what no date), the air pollution can cause the acid rain which might destroy forests, soils, quality of water, buildings, machines and etc.. Furthermore, one of the pollutants in air—CFCs is dangerous to ozone (in Bridgman 1990). According to Holper(2001), it appears that the CFCs and the carbon dioxide(C O2) will increase the global temperature. As a result of global temperature increase, the weather of Hong Kong will also be affected. One of the most serious results of this effect is the ice from South Pole and North Pole will be melted. If this is happen, some cities and places will be covered with water. This is so startling. Hence, to maintain a good quality of air is not only important to health, but also to the environment.
Finally, good quality of air is important to economic development, especially tourism. As Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee-hua said in his 1999 Policy Address that pollution will damage Hong Kong’s image as an international city. People will not want to travel Hong Kong again if the air quality keep worsening. They worry that their health will be affected by roadside pollutant. It is also difficult for international companies to invest in Hong Kong industry if air pollution in Hong Kong do not alleviate.
Government’s action
Some people criticized Hong Kong government concerned economic development more than environment issues. However, government implement some measures to improve air quality. The following are the examples:
(a) Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan
Considering the effects of air pollution, Hong Kong government joined hand to the Environmental Protection Bureau of Guangdon Provinee to deal with the problem of air pollution. According to Liao (2004), two governments carried out the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan in December 2003. A series of measures were implemented to control quality of air. In order to reduce pollutants from vehicles, sulphur fuel was restricted to use under the plan.
(b) Smoking ban
Recently the government have released that the smoking ban should be extended to more area. As Yeoh, K (2002) said that People must not smoke in indoor workplace, but also indoor public areas. Some people thought that this action will give negative effects to business and restrict human right. However, the government not only concerned public health, but also the environment. ‘’A Karoke Night Club at maximum capacity with five hundred people, five hundred square metres, estimating that 90% are smoking at a rate of 3 cigarettes per hour, 6 hours per evening.’’ said Honeywell. According to Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Disease Association, people who breathe in smoke or second-hand smoke might suffer respiratory disease. It is crucial to implement smoking ban for those areas to guarantee respiratory health of employees and customers.
(c) Encouragement of environmental protection
People can easily and conveniently find information of air pollution at the government websites. Study materials related to air pollution and environment protection were uploaded at the website of Environmental Protection Department. Also, the topic of environment pollution was added in general education course. Students can understand more their living environment and evaluate the air quality of Hong Kong during the lesson. Then, people’s awareness of air pollution might be enhanced.
Conclusion and recommendation
Air pollution in Hong Kong mainly caused by diesel fuel vehicles which emits pollutants. If people absorb this emission, they might suffer health problem, like congested lungs, headaches and dizziness, etc.. Concerning the effects of air pollution, the government implement measures to solve problem, such as Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan, smoking ban and encouragement of environmental protection. These are important to maintain good quality of air in our living environment. But is it only the government obligation to solve air pollution? The answer must be “No”. Hong Kong residents should also give a helping hand to the environmental protection. For example, people should use less electricity, fuel and solvents to prevent emissions release. Moreover, people should use public transport instead of private cars. Car owners should make sure their car engines are off when they leave. At the same time, they should inspect and repair their cars regularly. By these ways, air pollution can be improved.