Green concerns need to be part of development from the start
Trevor Yang says a ‘plan first, consult later’ approach to development belongs in the past as Hongkongers increasingly demand growth that doesn’t come at the expense of nature and people’s quality of life
The main aim of environmental protection is to protect human beings by ensuring the health and integrity of the natural environment that surrounds us and sustains us.
The power of human beings is immense. We can, if we so choose, radically alter the natural landscape to further our own interests. But such alterations are often a one-way track, and leave us with no way to restore the damage done to the landscape and environment. The past has taught us that developing without taking the environment into account can end in disaster, with tragedy or appalling living conditions being the result.
The lessons of the past and the science of the future have placed today's generation in an enviable position. We no longer need to develop our cities and infrastructure thoughtlessly. We no longer have to allow the motivation for profit to govern the shape and structure of our surroundings. We now have the tools and the ability to develop our world sustainably, and meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the quality of life of our future generations.
Hong Kong is moving towards embracing this concept of sustainable development. The recent policy address, by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, announced the government's commitment to a significant number of environmental policies, designed to create "a green, healthy and liveable city". This included the fact that the city is jump-starting the process of developing biodiversity strategies and action plans under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The fact that the government is addressing such issues implies Hong Kong citizens are beginning to place serious value on the natural environment.
The link between nature and people's well-being is becoming increasingly recognised and cherished by the Hong Kong community. Despite its dense urban population, Hong Kong has incredible natural assets, including our world-class system of country parks. Annual visitor numbers have climbed steadily each year, reaching 13.4 million in 2011.
Undeniably, there are also great pressures on land resources in the city. Housing and infrastructure projects are putting increasing strain on our natural assets.