Hong Kong Launches National Ecology Day 2024 to Promote Environmental Protection and Conservation Efforts

2024-08-15 20:15 Last Updated At：20:28

HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held the National Ecology Day (NED) 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium today (August 15) to launch a series of environmental protection and nature conservation activities and offers. Representatives of government and non-governmental organisations, scholars and experts from the Mainland and Hong Kong were invited to exchange views on the work of building ecological civilisation.

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HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium

HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium

HKSAR Government holds National Ecology Day 2024 Launching Ceremony cum Symposium Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The theme of this year's NED is "Promoting eco-friendly economic and social development in all respects". The Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Director of the Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality (SZPNR), Mr Xu Songming; the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Miss Janice Tse; and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, attended the launching ceremony as the officiating guests.

Other guests at the launching ceremony included the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; members of the Panel, Mr Frankie Yick, Ms Elizabeth Quat and Ms Judy Chan; the Acting Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Chan Pak-cheung; the Acting Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Fong Kin-wa; and the Acting Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lee Lap-shun.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the SZPNR signed the Cooperative Framework Agreement for the Enhancement of Wutong Mountain (Shenzhen) - Robin's Nest (Hong Kong) Ecological Corridor for establishing the co-operation framework agreement on creating an ecological corridor between Wutong Mountain Scenic Area in Shenzhen and Robin's Nest Country Park in Hong Kong. The scope of co-operation includes cleaning up invasive alien species, conducting ecological baseline surveys, examining enhancement of the ecological corridor for terrestrial animals and exchanging experiences on nature education.

In his opening speech, Mr Cheuksaid that the country emphasised that nature provided the basic conditions for human survival and development. The harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature in development planning must be maintained, and the important concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" must be upheld. He stressed that the HKSAR Government was committed to the conservation of Hong Kong's natural ecology, such as designating Robin's Nest Country Park and North Lantau Marine Park, actively taking forward the establishment of Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park in the Northern Metropolis, updating Hong Kong's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and continuing the enhancement of co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong on the nature conservation and environmental protection fronts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Xu said that Shenzhen and Hong Kong, separated only by a narrow strip of water, constitute an interdependent ecological community. Facing the future, ecological integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong for jointly building a world-class and beautiful bay area are the implicit requirements for the two cities to deepen co-operation and achieve mutual benefits. He said he hoped that both Shenzhen and Hong Kong would take the signing of the Cooperative Framework Agreement for the Enhancement of Wutong Mountain (Shenzhen) - Robin's Nest (Hong Kong) Ecological Corridor as an opportunity to carry out deeper, higher-level and broader co-operation and exchanges in the fields of natural resources and ecological protection, jointly tell the good story of building ecological civilisation in China, and jointly write a profound chapter for regional co-operation between the two places.

Miss Wong pointed out during her speech that the theme of the second NED was "Promoting eco-friendly economic and social development in all respects", which showed the determination of the Mainland and Hong Kong to promote green development and carbon neutrality in an active and steady manner. In the past year, the HKSAR Government has taken forward the four major decarbonisation strategies and measures, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction, steadily implementing the transformation to low carbon. The HKSAR Government will continue to work with all sectors of society towards achieving ecological civilisation, driving green transformation and building a beautiful China and a beautiful Hong Kong.

Speakers at the symposium included member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Boya Chair Professor of Peking University, Professor Fang Jingyun; the Director of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, Professor of Public Administration of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Professor Danny Lam; Adjunct Professor of the Department of Geography and Resource Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Professor Lam Kin-che; Research Assistant Professor of the School of Life Sciences of the CUHK Dr Apple Chui; the Head of Department and Professor of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture of the HKU, Professor He Shenjing; and the Head of the Countryside Conservation Office of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, Professor Stephen Tang. They exchanged views on ecological situations and conservation amidst the changing climate in China, Hong Kong's rural revitalisation, countryside and ecological conservation, and coral restoration.

The HKSAR Government has earlier announced that the Government and non-governmental organisations will launch various special activities and offers from August 15 to 31, including free admission to eco-facilities, free guided eco-tours, night safari, workshops and seminars, for the public to support and participate in the second NED, thereby raising public awareness of ecological civilisation and their consciousness of the need for thought and action to protect the environment. Details of the special activities and offers have been uploaded to the social media platform of the Countryside Conservation Office (www.facebook.com/countrysideconservationhk), the social media platform of T·PARK (www.facebook.com/tparkhk), the Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub website of the AFCD (bih.gov.hk/en/education-programmes/programmes/index.html) as well as the websites or social media platforms of participating organisations.

Public Urged to Take Heat Stroke Precautions During Hot Weather Activities

2024-09-12 06:46 Last Updated At：06:58

CHP reminds public on precautions against heat stroke during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 12) reminded members of the public, particularly those undertaking outdoor activities, to take heed of necessary measures against heat stroke and sunburn in very hot weather.

"The public should carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities," a spokesman for the CHP said.

"Those engaged in strenuous outdoor activities should avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, as they speed up water loss through the urinary system," the spokesman explained.

"Infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, outdoor/manual workers, and individuals who are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. They should pay special attention," the spokesman added.

The public should adopt the following precautions:

Wear loose and light-coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption and facilitate sweat evaporation and heat dissipation;

Avoid vigorous exercise and prolonged activities like hiking or trekking as heat, sweating and exhaustion can place additional demands on the physique;

Perform outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible;

For indoor activities, open all windows, use a fan or use air-conditioning to maintain good ventilation;

Do not stay inside a parked vehicle; and

Reschedule work to cooler times of the day if feasible. If working in a hot environment is inevitable, introduce shade in the workplace where practicable. Start work slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Move to a cool area for rest at regular intervals to allow the body to recuperate.

The public should also note the latest and the forecast Ultraviolet (UV) Index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV Index is high (6 or above):

Minimise direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to sunlight;

Wear long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothes;

Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella;

Seek a shaded area or put on UV-blocking sunglasses;

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, preferably higher. Reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after swimming, sweating or towelling off; and

While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

The public may obtain more information from the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111),heat strokepage andUV radiationpage; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200),latestweather report and forecast,UV Indexand weather information forhiking and mountaineering; andpress releasesof the Labour Departmenton precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force.

Hong Kong Launches National Ecology Day 2024 to Promote Environmental Protection and Conservation Efforts

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