A global environmental awareness campaign comes to Hong Kong next month, providing a challenge for students to think about ways to save the planet from ruin. Launched by Britain, ZeroCarbonCity will visit 100 cities in 60 countries. It is aimed at stimulating debate about climate change and the energy problems the world faces. Hong Kong's campaign is being initiated by the British Council and the city's British Consulate-General. Events lined up for next month and February include a photo and digital exhibition, climate change demonstrations, a school carbon dioxide emission campaign and quizzes. The programme kicks off on January 10 at Pacific Place with a photo exhibition on the dramatic effects of climate change and possible solutions. 'ZeroCarbonCity is topical, will stimulate discussion, engage young people, and create inter-cultural perspectives on matters of global and local interest,' said Ruth Gee, director of the British Council Hong Kong. Climate change is caused by the greenhouse effect - the warming of the Earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other gases. Scientists believe global warming is melting the ice in the north and south poles, and making the sea levels rise. As major consumers of energy, cities occupy an important position in the climate change debate, the campaign says. 'They are centres of innovation, where action is most likely to happen,' says its website. 'Cities also have great potential to make a difference; change in cities can have a significant effect on the global situation. Ever-increasing emissions of CO2 are one of the major causes of global warming. CO2 and other greenhouse gases are produced during the combustion of fuels by vehicles, in the generation of electrical power and in industrial manufacturing processes.' The British Consulate-General and the British Council have prepared an educational booklet for Primary Five to junior secondary students, outlining measures that have been taken to control carbon dioxide emissions. The booklet also contains games designed to encourage students to reduce their energy consumption and enhance their understanding about global warming. To obtain free booklets or to join the campaign, contact the British Council at 2913 5250 or 2913 5130
