Almost half of Hong Kong's students are not willing to practise what they preach when it comes to protecting the environment.
In a survey of more than 2,000 pupils aged 15 to 17 conducted by the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, 57 per cent said they used energy-saving measures, avoided using plastic bags and separated their rubbish.
Social work supervisor for the group Leung Shue-ming said: 'It means there is still a gap between chanting slogans and action. We have got to find ways to get more youngsters involved in the action.' The survey also revealed 80 per cent of secondary school students believed the environment had deteriorated or not improved over the past year.
More than 60 per cent ranked air pollution as the biggest environment problem in the SAR, while 76 per cent were worried poor air quality would affect their health.
'It shows that our youth have become increasingly intolerant about the pollution problems, although the Government has been doing something to improve the environment,' Mr Leung said.
However, despite their concern, many revealed a low awareness of environmental issues. Less than 40 per cent said landfill and sewage disposal charges could not ease environmental problems. Most thought the most effective solution was to plant more trees, promote waste collection and recycling and better manage the Mai Po wetlands.
