SCMP
Christy Choi
HKU researchers, using a revised environmental index, say 3,200 people die prematurely every year from illnesses linked to air pollution in the city.
Air pollution in Hong Kong is more harmful than previously thought, according to a revamped environmental index run by researchers at the University of Hong Kong.
While previous estimates by the researchers put the number of pre …
SCMP
Adrian Wan
Think tank Civic Exchange says mainland is more aggressive in moving to tackle smog, which has put pressure on city to act on standards for particles.
Hong Kong is lagging behind the mainland when it comes to tackling air pollution, a think tank says in a summary of Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen’s performance in office.
The conclusion from Civic Exchange came after the …
South China Morning Post
Lai See
Howard Winn
We were troubled to receive the photograph that appears in today’s column. The car is a Volkswagen Phaeton with the registration AM13, which means it is a government car. It is clearly parked illegally next to a sign which indicates no stopping at any time.
The photograph was taken yesterday at 7.42am outside the Hong Kong Club in Central by Dav …
Today, the Government announced new air quality standards for Hong Kong, called Air Quality Objectives (AQOs). Hong Kong’s last set of AQOs were first implemented in 1987 and have not been updated until now. Such action from the Government has been long awaited and Clean Air Network (CAN) welcomes this progress on the path towards improving the city’s air quality. However, the Government still has …
For Immediate Release
(January 16th 2012) Recent data has shown that roadside pollution in Hong Kong has deteriorated to a severe and dangerous level – last year, the Air Pollution Index exceeded 100 for a total of 1,247 hours, a 28% increase from 2010. Chief Executive Donald Tsang has repeatedly pledged to improve the city’s air quality, but to no avail. During his seven years in office, he has …
SCMP
Shi Jiangtao in Beijing and Priscilla Jiao
Authorities in smog-plagued Beijing yesterday began releasing hourly readings of three major air pollutants, in an apparent bid to appease residents angry about the government’s prolonged secrecy over the city’s deteriorating air quality.
The move coincided with a pledge by Mayor Guo Jinlong to tackle smog-causing pollutants, notably PM2.5 – hazar …
SCMP
LAI SEE
Howard Winn
The latest report from Civic Exchange on Hong Kong’s air quality, “Air Quality: Report Card of the Donald Tsang Administration (2005-2012)”, is a damming indictment of the chief executive’s efforts to improve Hong Kong’s noxious air.
It points to a litany of half measures, outright failures, dilatoriness, evasion and poor governnance. You do not get a sense from reading …
South China Morning Post
Op-ed
Nothing is more evident than roadside air pollution. We can see and smell when it is poor and our lungs can tell us how bad it is. The Environmental Protection Department’s annual update showing the worst-ever levels in Hong Kong’s busiest districts therefore comes as little surprise. It is disappointing that government assurances and measures are having limited …
On January 12, 2012, Clean Air Network (CAN) launched a comic drawn by popular local graphic artist, Cuson Lo, satirizing the Government’s reluctance to implement new proposed air quality standards for Hong Kong, called Air Quality Objectives (AQOs). Through their continued delay in renewing Hong Kong’s outdated 25-year old standards, the Government is shirking their responsibility to protect public health. Cuson Lo and Legislative Councillor Audrey Eu were present at the launch and called on the public to sign a petition urging the Government to take action and update the AQOs. …
PM2.5 will be monitored and the data published twice a day on Twitter via @CANalert and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork.
Disclaimer: the PM2.5 data we release is measured by a portable PM2.5 monitor (TSI SidePak AM510) which is widely used by university researchers. The location is outside of our CAN office (102-106 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan) at ~5m above grou …