Opinion | Environmental crisis should not be ignored amid protests over extradition bill
- Government’s long-term decarbonisation strategy consultation document did not set clear goals for the city to go carbon-neutral
- People who are suffering from poor air quality and effects of climate change have long aspired to have healthier living conditions
The controversial extradition bill amendment proposed by the government has woken Hongkongers up to appreciate the due procedures for legislation development, but at a huge social cost.
I believe the government is aware of the Chinese saying “even little fires can burn down a large plot of land”. There are indeed many hidden “little fires” that need to be put out before they “burn down” our city.
For the sake of Hong Kong and its citizens, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her top officials must have constructive dialogues immediately with people of different opinions to reach an understanding. To ease the high political tension, she needs to consider withdrawing the bill as she did with the proposal for adjusting the three tunnels’ tolls.
And although the political crisis is not yet over, the government also needs to make progress on several important environmental policy areas. The municipal solid waste charging policy is one of several that cannot afford any further delay.