Greenpeace claims that the Hong Kong government has continued to shirk its responsibility regarding climate change and the Kyoto Protocol.
A new Greenpeace report analyzes how states and cities in the United States, which have similar population and GDP as Hong Kong, battle against climate change, and how jobs and new business opportunities are created as a result of such moves. States such as Maryland and New Jersey, having similar populations as Hong Kong, have implemented innovative and effective measures to reduce greenhouse gases.
It is estimated that if the global temperature rose by three degrees Celsius, glaciers in Greenland would melt. Buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbor would be underwater, and the economic loss for Hong Kong would amount to HKD$400 billion. Greenpeace says the SAR government should not hesitate to reduce emissions.
Data from the Hong Kong's Environment and Protection Department shows that the overall emissions continues to grow since the late 1990s. For instance, the emission level of carbon dioxide in 2004 reached 37,600 thousand tons, which shows a 10% increase from the 1990 level.
Greenpeace Campaigner Gloria Chang says, "Chief Executive Donald Tsang in his recent Policy Address showed concerns to the global warming crisis but he is not acting out his words. Compared to efforts paid by states and cities in the United States, in view of the Bush Administration's evasion from addressing the Protocol, Hong Kong should take actions, given that China is a signatory of the Protocol and Hong Kong enjoys high degree of autonomy."
