Manage Our Transport to Improve HK’s Air

Please watch, this great video from Hong Kong’s Clean Air Network. It really says it all.

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology/Civic Exchange research has shown that 53 percent of the time, the pollution that affects us most in HK is from transport – trucks, buses and ships
• Last March the government introduced retirement schemes for old Commercial Diesel Vehicles as well as selective catalytic converters for taxis and mini-buses
• And last year, data did show that HK’s air improved slightly
• More good news: The government recently tabled regulation in Legco that mandates ships switch to cleaner from bunker fuel while at berth
• But measures to improve our air have been largely offset by the huge increase in private car ownership in recent years as well as the massive development initiatives that are being undertaken
• The Hedley Environmental Index estimates that in 2014, air pollution caused 2,616 premature deaths, 32.657 billion in lost dollars, 174,926 hospitalizations, and 4.253 million doctor visits
• The so-called “end of pipe” solutions the government has introduced are certainly a beginning but inadequate alone
• Hong Kong needs to follow Singapore and European cities in establishing low emission zones, pedestrian zones, electronic road pricing and intelligent transport solutions
• We urgently need a smarter, cleaner city. This is within our reach.