How to improve environment
By Lau Nai-keung (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-15 10:33
If Hong Kong, which is known for its fabulous efficiency, can get along with
this mode of transportation, so can all cities in the country.
And what is the point of promoting low-density houses for the newly rich in
our cities when land is such a scarce resource? We can save a lot of fuel and
electricity if we design our high-rise apartments with better insulation, better
airflow and more sunlight.
The rooftops can be covered with grass and scrubs to create more greenery,
together with solar panels and mini-windmills to further save electricity bills.
We should take measures to cut down cigarette and alcohol consumption in our
country. Together with a more traditional low protein diet and regular exercise,
we can better support our aged population, which will soon be bigger than the
overall population of the US.
Learning from the lessons of developed countries, we should switch over to
this new and healthier mode of consumption early. Because once we get addicted
to the current mode, it will be extremely painful to shake it off.
Developing along this alternative consumption route, our industries will have
to develop in a different direction in order to serve the new demand.
Our country can then continue to grow in a more self-reliant manner and
without further damage to the environment. We will be offering products and
services that are quite unique, and are better geared to serving the needs of
the world's future.
The market for these environmentally friendly products and services will go
beyond the imagination once they are marketed to the mainstream population and
are no longer niche products. By then, China's peaceful rise will be utterly
credible, and it will be wholeheartedly welcomed by the world.
The author is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference National Committee from Hong Kong.
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