Pace too slow

We adults at times don't seem to know our priorities until children remind us of them.

I was touched last week reading a plea from Carissa Koo, 11, for us to clean up the environment through tough law enforcement and other measures (letter, South China Morning Post, October 11).

In the eight years since the Government released a comprehensive strategy to improve the environment, our pollution problem has worsened. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa last week promised action, including a programme to convert 30 taxis from diesel to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuelled. This is a start but the pace is too slow.

Hong Kong, like other communities, has often overlooked the environment in the headlong rush to modernise. We all have paid a price in health and sense of wellbeing in achieving economic growth. I agree fully with Miss Koo that we can't go on being indifferent to the environment or reckon it is the concern of the Government and business. We, the citizens, have to do our share for we're responsible for what we pass down to future generations, including conscientious youngsters such as Miss Koo. They deserve better.

JAMES TIEN Legislator