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Christians for Eco-concern's Response to EPD's Climate Change Consultation 2010
Dear Friends,
As you might know, the Environmental Protection Department has been seeking the views through a public consultation regarding Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda. Christians for Eco-concern has just sent in our views yesterday (31st Dec. 2010, HKCEC's Submission) to voice out our concerns. We wish to emphasize that we would agree with all measures for the betterment and sustainability of our living environment regarding such issues as combating the projected climate change. We as Christians believe in the advantages and sustainability of a simple style of living by humankind according to Biblical teachings and principles. At the same time, we do give an equal emphasis to facts and scientific discoveries.
We therefore hold the following principles as essential to a sustainable future:
Indeed, we note a clear spelling out of uncertainty in the ERM’s consultancy report under s.4.3 (see also s.3.4.6) on UNCERTAINTIES IN CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE. Consequently, one may ask how accurate are the IPCC predictions on climate change and how well is Hong Kong prepared to tackle the uncertainties and contingencies? The HKSAR government should set up an effective mechanism to assess and ascertain the most likely impacts locally with regard to the various scenarios of climate change.
We also suggest that the government should :
a) Conduct a massive public consultation on our core values as to what the citizens want and put the options with the give and take honestly stated (e.g. more money vs. less time, more pollution, poorer health …etc.),
b) Conduct a massive and sustained program to educate the public on healthy and sustainable (simple) life-style with our top public officials serving as examples,
c) Conduct or support the necessary and sufficient investigations and scientific researches into existing or anticipated problems according to their potential or verified harms and threats. These investigations and researches must be done objectively and carefully with a view to producing results and practical guidelines sensibly and responsibly, and
d) Devise and formulate the necessary policies and/or legal framework to put forward the best practicable means to alleviate or eliminate the problems and risks according to their priorities as a result of the aforesaid investigations and researches mentioned in (c).
May the Lord Jesus guide and help us to contribute to the betterment of Hong Kong and the globe. Amen.
Hong Kong Christians for Eco-concern
As you might know, the Environmental Protection Department has been seeking the views through a public consultation regarding Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda. Christians for Eco-concern has just sent in our views yesterday (31st Dec. 2010, HKCEC's Submission) to voice out our concerns. We wish to emphasize that we would agree with all measures for the betterment and sustainability of our living environment regarding such issues as combating the projected climate change. We as Christians believe in the advantages and sustainability of a simple style of living by humankind according to Biblical teachings and principles. At the same time, we do give an equal emphasis to facts and scientific discoveries.
We therefore hold the following principles as essential to a sustainable future:
- Aspiring to a simple, non-consumerism based life-style would bring about real contentment and enhance the harmony among humans and nature.
- Caring for people and nature affected by our actions, wherever they are, is our fundamental responsibility as individual and as a society.
- Obligations and rights are complimentary. Responsible leaders and officers must lead by example in order to boost confidence and endorsement by the general public in terms of social policies and actions.
- The prudent application of appropriate technologies, based on fundamental scientific research, discovery and knowledge, would improve people’s livelihood.
Indeed, we note a clear spelling out of uncertainty in the ERM’s consultancy report under s.4.3 (see also s.3.4.6) on UNCERTAINTIES IN CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE. Consequently, one may ask how accurate are the IPCC predictions on climate change and how well is Hong Kong prepared to tackle the uncertainties and contingencies? The HKSAR government should set up an effective mechanism to assess and ascertain the most likely impacts locally with regard to the various scenarios of climate change.
We also suggest that the government should :
a) Conduct a massive public consultation on our core values as to what the citizens want and put the options with the give and take honestly stated (e.g. more money vs. less time, more pollution, poorer health …etc.),
b) Conduct a massive and sustained program to educate the public on healthy and sustainable (simple) life-style with our top public officials serving as examples,
c) Conduct or support the necessary and sufficient investigations and scientific researches into existing or anticipated problems according to their potential or verified harms and threats. These investigations and researches must be done objectively and carefully with a view to producing results and practical guidelines sensibly and responsibly, and
d) Devise and formulate the necessary policies and/or legal framework to put forward the best practicable means to alleviate or eliminate the problems and risks according to their priorities as a result of the aforesaid investigations and researches mentioned in (c).
May the Lord Jesus guide and help us to contribute to the betterment of Hong Kong and the globe. Amen.
Hong Kong Christians for Eco-concern
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