Green oasis
IF THERE could be an Eden on Earth, it would be in Tai O on Lantau Island, in approximately two years' time. Friends of the Earth (FoE) has just announced that it will build Hong Kong's first 'sustainable development' education centre at a 2,300 square-metre site in the old fishing village.
Named Earth Station, it will integrate environmental education, technology research and recycling capacity into one massive complex. Construction will begin next February and is expected to be completed in early 2004.
'Sustainable development' refers to renewable resources, so that future generations will also have access to them.
FoE has received $23 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to fund the construction.
FoE project manager Ma Kai-chi said: 'The project has been in the pipeline for almost five years. For inspiration, we toured environmental education and recycling facilities in the United States, Europe and Japan.
'By building the Earth Station, we hope to provide local students and the public with integrated facilities where they can learn how to recycle materials, renew energy, and redefine their relationship with nature.'
Mr Ma said the centre would have four objectives. Under 'education', the centre will provide hands-on training in environmental practices such as how to turn waste into useful and reusable materials.
New, large-scale techniques dealing with energy and recycling will also be tested.
For the 'research component', FoE will exhibit the latest products and results of environmental research carried out at local universities.
With 'capacity building', the organisation will co-operate with Tai O residents to launch projects such as recycling materials and finding new energy resources.
'Our goal is to apply the new technologies developed by the Earth Station in the entire city and then in the mainland. It won't be easy and it will be a long-term commitment for us,' said Mr Ma.
Starting from next month, FoE will tour 60 local primary schools to conduct workshops on conservation and the use of renewable resources.
Also on November 24, a fun 'Solar Cart Race' will be held at the Southorn Playground in Wan Chai to boost environmental awareness.
