Air pollution in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta Group 2

Background Air pollution tends to be a more serious problem in Hong Kong in recent years due to the rapid and intense development. The industrial development of major manufacturing center of China - The Pearl River Delta is one of the major cause of the poor air quality in Hong Kong. What pollutants that the factories emitted? How the air pollution cause by it can affect us? How can we balance both the development and conservation of the environment?

Role: Victim

live in the new town of Tung Chung Victim

64% of the residents of Tung Chung think that the air quality is very poor. 44% of them said that their family member suffer from some aspiratory diseases, such as Asthma.

Victim Wind direction is towards east, ozone will blow from the pearl river estuary to Hong Kong, causing the air covered by many pollutants.

Victim In 2004 of my place, there are 40 days the Air pollution Index is over 100 Pollutants included nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, VOC, RSP…etc.

Victim Irritant to our respiratory system and our eyes Permanent damage to our lungs when long time expose Suspend particles increase 10 micrograms in every meter cube, there will increase 1.5 million people to see the doctor. The life-span of the citizen will shorten by 53 days!

Role: Environmental specialist

Brown smog – photochemical smog major component: Nitrogen oxides Affects the growth of plants  blocks the passage of sunlight  prevents fresh air and warm air from coming in

Environmental specialist Affects the survivals of some animals  attacks the respiratory system  die due to toxic smog

Environmental specialist Smog stays for a long period of time over densely populated cities, for example Hong Kong, it gives long-term negative effects in ecosystem.

Environmental specialist Acid rain major pollutants: Nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide pollutants are carried away by wind to Hong Kong.

Environmental specialist Harmful to the plants  makes soil acidic, plants cannot grow well.  damages plants and destroy forests.

Harmful to the water life  water in lakes, rivers, and sea become acidic.  fish and water plants cannot survive  destroy their habitats. Environmental specialist

Role: A foreign corporate CEO

There are many business opportunities in China which attract foreign investments. Many foreigners consider to invest in China.

A foreign corporate CEO Air pollution discourages foreign investments Hong Kong is a international financial centre

A foreign corporate CEO Some companies consider to invest in Shanghai instead of Hong Kong. Some professionals refuse to move to the city because of pollution.

A foreign corporate CEO Good living condition is one of the inducements to encourage foreign investments. Air pollution may affect the economy.

A foreign corporate CEO 80 % pollution in HK come from factories in Guangdong province. Greenhouse gases should be cut in order to reduce air pollution. Many respiratory diseases are related to air pollution.

Role: Government

Government Hong Kong SAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government enhanced control measures under the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan (Management Plan) is set out. Government is concerned about the air pollution and taken solid action to improve the situation. Reduce air pollution!

Government Parts of measures taken: 1.Guangdong will not plan for construction of new coal-fired or oil-fired power plants in the Pearl River Delta region. 2. All modified or expanded coal-fired and oil-fired power plants are required to adopt low-NO x combustion technologies.

Government 3.Leaded petrol will continue to be banned; Taxis operating on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been introduced as cleaner alternative to diesel taxis. 4. NO x removal equipment is required to be installed in new coal-fired power plants.

Government 5. Setting limits on the VOC contents of consumer products, and taking steps to enhance emission control of local vessels. 6. Use cleaner energy. Guangdong is developing two new natural gas projects apart from the Guangdong Liquefied Natural Gas Project.

Substantial Result

2007, the HKSAR government and the Guangdong Province government signed the “Cooperation Agreement to Promote Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Production and Comprehensive Utilisation of Resources to Enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong”. The two government will cooperate in the future. Government

The End