SOCIETY has a duty to put across the messages of environmental protection to the younger generation, said the Governor's wife, Mrs Lavender Patten.
Mrs Patten was officiating at the opening ceremony of the Green Sunday 1993 Carnival, held last Sunday at Victoria Park.
''Educating people to think of the environment is very important, particularly in bringing up our children. We have a duty to ensure that they get the green message,'' Mrs Patten said.
''It is our responsibility to prevent the world we pass on to our children from being degraded and destroyed through our own neglect and ignorance.'' Although Hongkong is usually known for growth of the economic sort, Mrs Patten said people today should take a closer look at their style of living and not just the standard of living.
''An equally important part of environmental education is to remind and teach the community the effect each one of us has on the environment and our duty not to damage it.'' The annual fund-raising carnival, organised by Green Power and Commercial Radio, offered both fun and green education to the public.
Dr Simon Chau Siu-cheong, Green Power chairman, said it was not only the Government and politicians who should help work for a greener society but also non-governmental organisations, especially the commercial sector.
To show their support, various commercial sponsors had put up games stalls, displays and special stalls selling plants, food, books and cosmetics at the carnival.