Speak to LegCo on air pollution!

September 4, 2009

By cleanairnetwork

Speak to LegCo on air pollution!

We now have the opportunity to speak up and say NO to air pollution — LegCo has a special meeting of the Environmental Affairs Panel at 2:30pm on Tuesday 6th October in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building, Central. This session is open to the public. You can attend this session either as an individual or representative of an organization and, if desired, submit a written statement, which will be conveyed to LegCo members.

Here are some issues you could raise in your written submission:

I urge the Government to adopt the full WHO Air Quality Guidelines (the strictest standards recommended by the WHO) as soon as possible because air pollution is Hong Kong’s biggest public health crisis.

For the immediate term, I urge the Government to choose stricter interim targets than those currently proposed, especially for sulphur dioxide, because Hong Kong should be able to meet stricter guidelines.

I urge Government to commit to substantial emissions reduction in order to improve public health by 2012 when the current administration steps down.

Since the biggest source of emissions affecting human health is roadside emissions. I urge Government to set a timetable for phasing out the pre-euro iii bus fleet as soon as possible and impose emissions caps on roadside polluters, including bus companies and commercial truck owners.

Owners and operators of trucks, buses, ships and ferries will make sure their voices are heard in order to avoid implementing measures which will reduce air pollution. Therefore, we, the HK public, should form a counterweight to these transport interests and speak out in favor of “Our Air, Our Health”.

To attend the October 6th LegCo session or make a written submission, you must register with the Clerk to the Panel on Environmental Affairs Legislative Council Secretariat. Please download the reply slip and submit it by Friday, 18th September. The Clerk can be contacted on 28699211 or 25254147.

87 DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD