Tram party celebrates green Christmas
Atram party to celebrate concern for the planet and to encourage people to join the Green Christmas Campaign was organised by Friends of the Earth.
The tram started from Sheung Wan and passed through Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, carrying students who sang and shouted green Christmas slogans to the pedestrians along the route.
The tram party has become a yearly ritual for Form Six student Ho Ching-han, 17, who has taken part in the event every year since Form One.
'I don't think people listen to our songs nor care much about what we do on the tram but as long as they notice the banners hung on the tram, then we have been successful,' Ching-han said.
Fourth former Jenny Tam Ching-ni said people should try to use newspapers as wrapping paper, handkerchiefs instead of paper tissue and use less plastic forks and spoons.
It was the sixth year students from the choir of Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School supported the parade by singing carols.
Some 100 companies participated and the organisers said this year, 750,000 fewer paper Christmas cards had been used, which represented a saving of 188 trees.
Friends of the Earth also sold potted Christmas trees to encourage the use of the same tree instead of buying a new cut tree each year.
Friends of the Earth director May Ng Fong Siu-mei said people should protect the environment while celebrating the festive season.
'From the number of companies joining the green campaign, the number of potted trees sold and the response to the tram parade, we can see the attitude of the public is changing' she said.
In addition, Mrs Ng recommended people choose healthy and environmentally-friendly gifts.
'A potted tree, a fitness course, a tape of natural music or an energy-saving appliance is ideal,' she said.
