Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa declared his commitment to the environment in his last Policy Address. However, environ mental activists see the move as 'human-oriented' rather than 'environment-oriented'.
In the address, Mr Tung also said housing demands should be met by developing large ru ral areas.
But environmentalist believe housing needs would be more efficiently met by urban rede velopment. They say the low- density housing estates around Deep Bay, for example, have de stroyed much of the natural en vironment.
Environmental protection was thought to be necessary to sustain economic development, not for the sake of the environ ment itself. This view made en vironmental education focus on pollution reduction and saving resources rather than on people living in harmony with nature.
Environmental education should become a subject in it self, not just a part of biology or geography. By going on more field trips to the countryside, students could be encouraged to develop green thinking.
Efforts should be made to raise young people's respect and appreciation for nature.