To deal with this problem, shop owners often give out recycled bags for free. This may seem more environmentally friendly, but actually, the plastic used to make one of these non-woven bags is equivalent to that used in the making of 10 plastic bags.

Instead, shop owners should try to give a cash reward to those who bring their own shopping bags. This might be a better way to promote environmental protection.

Tacye Hong, St Paul's Convent School

Testing time for senior formers

This year, more than 4,700 eligible Form Seven students will not be able to enter university because there are not enough places. The figure is the highest in six years.

It is a nerve-wracking time for students. The economy has not recovered from the financial crisis, and many companies are not hiring. There is strong competition in the market.

Spaces on university courses are limited and many cannot obtain a place. Those left behind feel the pressure. Added to this is the fact that having a degree is no longer the ticket to a good job that it once was. Graduates nowadays have little advantage over others in the labour market. Graduating from university is fast becoming a basic requirement for finding work.

HKCEE candidates who are unhappy with their results can choose to repeat the old syllabus or the new 3-3-4 syllabus next year, as this was the last HKCEE. This poses a great challenge for them. Students are under a lot of pressure worrying about their future.

Try to consult your parents, friends and teachers when you are making choices. They can often provide useful and precious advice.

Lau Man-man

Harbourfront should be first-class

Victoria Harbour is the pride of Hong Kong. No one can be left unmoved by its stunning skyline, lit up at night with colourful neon lights.

The harbourfront, however, is not up to the same standard. What we need is a first-class waterfront, with a wide range of amenities and facilities. It should serve as a leisure and entertainment venue, and be as user-friendly as possible. Plenty of open space should be included, with lots of greenery, which is lacking in the city.

Performances should be staged to appeal to tourists. Elements of local culture could be showcased to highlight our unique heritage.

The harbourfront also needs to be accessible to all people. The design has to meet both local and tourist needs.

Achieving this vision will need the co-operation of officials, professionals and elites from the public and private sector. I hope the Harbourfront Commission will be able to make this vision come true.

Kong Yeung, Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School

All are responsible for tree care

In separate incidents, two people have been killed by a falling tree in the past two years, one in Stanley and one in Sha Tin. Some have said there is a crisis in tree management in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a city covered in concrete and steel. Hot air gets trapped inside the city, resulting in the urban heat island effect, which makes the city much warmer than surrounding areas.

Research has shown that trees can absorb hot air and help keep temperatures down.

Besides their environmental and health benefits, trees are also nice to look at, so we should save them and care for them.

Who should be responsible for our trees? The government, yes, but also you and me. We need to protect our trees. Since there is a shortage of arborists (tree experts), the government should do more to train staff on how to care for trees.

We're in the typhoon season. To prevent more tragedies involving falling trees, we all need to take action.

Kathy Ng, Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School