By tackling light pollution, our city can transform itself
Mayling Chan says Earth Hour was laudable, but we need action, too
The dimming of Hong Kong's skyline for an hour one Saturday night late last month was a rehearsal of how it could truly be a "world city" in Asia.
If Hong Kong is to have a future that we are all proud of, sustainability must shine through darkness, not flashy neon and LED lights.
Many of us know about climate change and how it may affect human life. We know that the polar ice caps are rapidly melting, that the shoreline of some countries is sinking, and that food security is a real risk. In fact, many understand that we are risking our own well-being by not acting differently now.
The companies that took part in the Earth Hour campaign helped raise awareness, but did not save the world, of course.
What is more important is for people to make a commitment to significantly reduce the adverse environmental impact of their habits, both in their personal life and their businesses. Every company needs to look at how it can change its business model and use resources more efficiently.
Corporate responsibility could start as a business practice to save costs. For example, companies would profit from investing in power-smart facilities with energy efficiency labelling, and putting in place demand-side management that encourages less use of energy.
Over the past decade at least, Hong Kong has seen numerous campaigns that aimed to change consumer behaviour, both in the public and private sectors.
