LettersLaunch direct action in Hong Kong schools for faster route to zero-carbon future

Name: 'The Greta Thunberg of China', Howey Ou, joins protest in Berlin
Uploaded: 2021-02-18T23:15:09.000Z
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: 'The Greta Thunberg of China', Howey Ou, joins protest in Berlin

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Schools need to teach about the policy tools and technological means to reduce carbon emissions, and become directly engaged in carbon reduction efforts themselves, with students sitting on committees steering these changes. Photo: AFP

Letters

Published: 7:15am, 19 Feb 2021Updated: 7:15am, 19 Feb 2021

I refer to Edward Choi’s letter on Hong Kong’s aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (“Swedish model shows Hong Kong how to engage youth on climate change”, February 13). My fellow university student has demonstrated the value of focus groups and cross-national learning. His call for direct communication channels between the government and young people is welcome, but to me this feels secondary and too formalistic in the response to the climate emergency.

I believe the Hong Kong government should first invest heavily in enhanced environmental education. In primary and secondary schools, the teaching plan is centred on the science of climate change. We seldom learn about the policy tools and technologies that could be drawn upon to reduce carbon emissions.

On the front lines, we need to see more schools become directly engaged in carbon reduction efforts themselves, with students sitting on committees steering these changes. Perhaps this could be done through a reward and punishment scheme.

In addition, because of the flow of information today, young people are aware of direct action and entrepreneurialism in other societies. Not all of this youth agency requires money, but funding would be critical in bringing more young people into the fold at the scale and speed required.

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'The Greta Thunberg of China', Howey Ou, joins protest in Berlin

The government and philanthropists would be wise to invest heavily in student environmental groups and start-ups. Combined with revised curriculums and formal dialogue channels, this could make Hong Kong’s hopes for sustainable future look a lot brighter.