What is Clean Air Network (CAN)?

Transcription

1 What is Clean Air Network (CAN)? Clean Air Network is an independent NGO which aims to educate the public about the health impacts of air pollution and mobilize public support for cleaner air in Hong Kong. Air Pollution Facts Hong Kong air pollution causes three (avoidable) deaths a day, more than 1,100 per year. Hong Kong s air is three times more polluted than New York s and more than twice as polluted as London s. By WHO standards, Hong Kong s air is only healthy 41 days a year (according to data in 2006). 53% of the time, the majority of Hong Kong air pollution is attributable to local sources. Although overall emissions tonnage has fallen in the past 15 years, roadside pollution has not improved. Because of its high concentration in close proximity to us, roadside pollution poses the biggest threat to human health.

2 Government Action The Government is now revising the Air Quality Objectives (AQOs) after more than 20 years. The AQOs are non-binding guidelines for 7 air pollutants. Although the Government s proposal tightens the AQOs, CAN believes that, based on current science, Hong Kong can meet substantially stricter ones. Thus, the current proposal does not protect public health adequately. To achieve these new AQOs, the Government has proposed a package of 19 abatement measures, which include early retirement of heavy polluting vehicles, low emission zones, expanding railway networks and energy efficiency measures. CAN endorses the entire package and, in the words of Edward Yau, the Secretary of the Environment, hopes that there will be no cherry picking. The entire package is the very least Hong Kong must do to significantly improve air quality in the medium term. Your role as a Hong Konger is crucial during the run-up to the finalization of the new AQOs. As members of the public, we will be directly affected by the outcomes of the AQOs. To influence this outcome, please Sign The Petition for Clean Air, attached here or online ( You can also visit our website for more in-depth information about air pollution information, policy and news. We hope you will consider speaking out and getting involved. What is CAN doing? Before the end of this year, the Government will revise Hong Kong s long-outdated air quality management strategy. During this crucial window of time, CAN is engaged in a 360 mobilization campaign to create grassroots support for clean air in Hong Kong. By working closely with District Councillors, LegCo members, and community, business and student leaders, CAN is spreading its message through numerous channels in society. We have organized many street discussion forums and educational talks throughout Hong Kong in cooperation with District Councillors, LegCo members and universities. In addition to our efforts to educate the man on the street, CAN has signed up more than 90 NGOs as Friends. We are a network, consolidating, unifying and amplifying a single voice. Finally, we are focused on enlisting the public endorsement of major corporations in Hong Kong. So far, we have received widespread, enthusiastic support from many listed companies, which are household names in Hong Kong. The success of our efforts and the unanimity of support demonstrate that, if there is one environmental issue which can enjoy universal support among Hong Kong people, it is air pollution!

3 CAN s Board of Advisors Christine Loh, Chairperson Christine Loh, JP, OBE, is the CEO of non-profit think tank Civic Exchange. Prior to founding the organization in 2000, she had a highly successful political career in the Hong Kong Legislative Council. She was the chairperson of its Environmental Affairs Panel, and championed many environmental causes, including air pollution, and sponsored the historic Protection of the Harbour Ordinance. Civic Exchange s pioneering work on air quality and public health research has brought together a range of disciplines to assess how Hong Kong can cleanup, including how to collaborate with the mainland on regional pollution. Loh has advisory positions with international bodies including the UN s Division for Sustainable Development and is Senior Policy Adviser to C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. She was named as Hero for the Environment by Time in She is a lawyer by training, a commodities trader by profession, a published author of many works and a sought-after speaker both locally and internationally. Anthony Ng, Secretary Upon completion of his medical training in the US, New Zealand and England, Tony returned to Hong Kong in 1980 to become a surgeon in private practice. Past commitments in community affairs include being the Chairman of Hong Kong Observers, elected member of District Council (Central and Western), founding member of the United Democrats of Hong Kong, Secretary for the Hong Kong Medical Association and member of the Consumer Council. He continues to maintain an interest in constitutional and environmental affairs of Hong Kong. Markus Shaw, Vice-Chairman Markus Shaw completed a degree in History at Cambridge University. After attending Law School, he joined the City law firm Linklaters. Following six years as a corporate lawyer in London, Singapore and Hong Kong, he joined the family business in Mr. Shaw is a Managing Director of his family s investment office and has actively managed many portfolio companies. Markus has been Chairman of the World Wide Fund for Nature, Hong Kong, since 2000 and a member of WWF s International Board since Shaw is a co-founder of Designing Hong Kong, a non-profit organisation to promote good urban planning in Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Hong Kong Government s Advisory Council on the Environment. Stephen Wong, Treasurer Stephen Wong is currently a part-time lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for the Masters Program of the Global Political Economy. He is a member of the Budget and Allocation Committee at the Community Chest of Hong Kong. He was a Managing Director and member of the Fixed Income Management Committee at RBS. Previously, he was with UBS (London) and Lehman Brothers (from in London and New York). He graduated from Yale University (M.A.) and received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago. Joanne Ooi, CEO Prior to CAN, Joanne Ooi was the Chief Marketing Officer of Filligent, the HK-based biotech company. Before Filligent, Joanne was the Creative Director of Shang hai Tang. Largely credited with the turnaround of Shanghai Tang, Joanne has been profiled in the New York Times, Time Magazine, Good Morning America and appeared on the cover of Fast Company magazine, among many other international media. She is an expert in branding, marketing and public relations on all levels, from FMCG products to luxury goods and has consulted to a broad array of industries and companies. Joanne graduated from Columbia University and has a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

4 You CAN make a difference! Sign The Petition for Clean Air at if you haven t already. Join our Facebook group at Follow us on Twitter at Forward to all your family and friends and ask them to sign the petition. Print out the petition and distribute to friends, colleagues and classmates so they can help us collect more signatures. Invite organizations you belong to such as your school, company, rotary group, residents association, etc., to send a message encouraging members or employees to sign the petition and become Friends of the Network. Post the petition on the bulletin board of your building, school, office or club. Give this kit to your doctor and ask if it s possible to encourage patient sign-ups at his or her clinic. Donate to Clean Air network at Write to your LegCo members. A directory of all LegCo members can be viewed at Write to your District Council members. A directory of all DC members can be viewed at Volunteer at CAN. Introduce us to your CSR director by ing info@hongkongcan.org. Organize a talk or presentation to your school, company or association. Tell us how we can inspire the community more effectively by sending us an at info@hongkongcan.org

5 Sign The Petition for Clean Air! FULL NAME 姓名 PHONE 電話 電郵 Air pollution is Hong Kong s most serious public health crisis, killing over 1,100 people every year. I urge the Government to improve our air quality until pollution is no longer a significant threat to my health, by: Adopting the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and setting an early date to comply. Focusing clean-up measures on roadside emissions, the biggest local source of health impacts. Improving accountability by reporting the health impacts of air pollution every year. SEND US THIS PETITION FORM VIA: FAX (+852) MAIL Room 1008 Shui On Center, 6-8 Harbour Road, Wan Chai Hong Kong WEB SCAN AND info@hongkongcan.org facebook.com/ cleanairnetwork twitter.com/ cleanairnetwork To learn more about HK air pollution, log on to

6 DONATE You CAN make a difference! Your health matters. So do the lives of the next generation. In Hong Kong, three people die per day because of air pollution. YOU can be part of the solution. M ETHO D O F DO N A TIO N By Cash HK$500 HK$1,000 HK$2,000 Other: HK$ By Cheque Cheque No. (Payable to "") By Direct Transfer Please remit your donation directly to Standard Chartered Bank