Democracy no clean solution to pollution
Democracy, yes. Superstition, no. Gregory Pek ('We can only tackle pollution problems with real democracy', February 10) reminds me of the words of a Canadian scholar: 'Democracy has become the biggest modern superstition, replacing other beliefs.' (W. D. Gairdner: The Trouble With Democracy).
While few oppose democracy in today's world, the concept is being overstretched. People just demand too much from democracy. Some websites promoting democracy follow crimes like drug trafficking, child abuse, women smuggling and prostitution. Now Mr Pek wants to add pollution control to the burdens of universal suffrage.
He said Hong Kong's pollution mainly comes from the mainland. Then how can the democracy of Hong Kong's 7 million people cope with a country of 1.3 billion?
Do not forget that President George W. Bush vetoed the Kyoto pact for controlling air pollution while, at the same time, the United States emits more carbon dioxide than any other country.
Mr Pek's logic seems to be that if Hong Kong adopted universal suffrage first, China would follow suit to become a democratic country. Then the almighty democracy would lead China to stop polluting Hong Kong. I am only afraid that our city will have long become a hell of contamination before universal suffrage comes to the People's Republic of China.
On pollution, I agree that we need action now. I don't agree we have no mechanism. That the will of our government was foiled in the West Kowloon cultural hub project, without universal suffrage, can serve as an example.
