Sustainable living: eight green events for Plastic Free July in Hong Kong

As stories about climate change, global warming, biodiversity loss and resource depletion dominate the news, ways to reduce our environmental impact by making adjustments to our daily routine become ever more important. It’s easy to dismiss environmental issues as being too big for individuals to have an effect, but alongside supporting campaigns for systematic change, even small things can help. Founded in Australia in 2017, Plastic Free July is an annual global movement designed to encourage people to think about how they affect the environment and take action to lessen the waste they produce. For more information about the campaign and organisation, see here. Although there is no official arm of the campaign in Hong Kong, several local organisations choose to mark the month with their own events designed to engage adults and children alike on the issue of waste. From learning more about how to sustain our coral rich marine parks to plastic-free beauty, here are a selection of eco-conscious events taking place in July. Upcycled Leather Workshop – July 5 Leather presents an ethical conundrum for many eco-activists: it is very hard-wearing, can be repaired easily and biodegrades when disposed of – unlike many so-called “vegan leather” products, which are often plastic. On the other, the leather industry is highly polluting and supports the meat industry. Exciting developments are being made in plant-based leathers, but until you can get your hands on some, make sure any hide you own is well cared for. Partnering with local environmental NGO Eco Marine, Japanese leather designer Ril Creed will host a hands-on upcycling workshop on Friday that will teach participants how the brand uses off cuts to makes its products and guide them through creating their own tray. For more information and to sign up, see h ere. Hidden Forests Summer Project – July 6 to September 8 Hong Kong is small in area but big on biodiversity – according to government figures we have more than 3,300 species of plants, 57 species of mammals, more than 540 species of birds, 198 species of freshwater fishes, 86 species of reptiles, 24 species of amphibians, 236 species of butterflies and 123 species of dragonflies. Asia Society Hong Kong will host a series of summer eco-activities. Kicking off the Hidden Forests summer arts and culture activities and the new exhibition To See the Forest and the Trees there will be an Environmental Fun Day, a family event for visitors of all ages with a range of educational activities. It will include storytelling by artist and naturalist James Prosek as well as art and upcycling workshops. For more details see here. Hoi Ha Wan Festival – July 13 to 14 Hong Kong waters are rich with 84 species of hard coral, about 10 per cent of all species found globally. To help protect them, Hong Kong participates in a global programme called Reef Check which promotes sustainable management of coral reefs while raising public awareness of their ecological importance. Hoi Ha Wan, north of Sai Kung, was one of the first marine parks established in Hong Kong, and is home to more than 60 coral and 120 fish species. During the festival, visitors can explore Hong Kong’s marine life in a glass bottomed boat, watch 2013’s A Plastic Ocean, a documentary about the perils of plastic in our oceans and attend talks by WWF Hong Kong marine experts. From 10am to 5pm. For more information and tickets, see here. WLF Conference on Sustainability – July 18 The World Law Forum will be holding a one day conference comprising a series of presentations by key figures in sustainable business practice. Giving talks will be WWF Hong Kong’s Marc Champagne, Green Queen’s Sonalie Figueiras, Tracy Wong Harris from Hong Kong Green Finance Association, Helene Li from GoImpact, and many more. The day will run from 8.15am to 5pm and will feature panels looking at sustainability in the Greater Bay Area, the finance and insurance behind environmentalism, and all the laws that come into play – with several breaks for networking. For more information and to register, see here. Green Queen Vegan Dinner – July 22 Inspired by the United Nations’ 17 Goals for Sustainable Development, eco website Green Queen will host a vegan dinner at Lan Kwai Fong Latin American restaurant Picada. Switching to a vegan diet has been highlighted as one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact – but that doesn’t mean food must be boring. A fully plant-based three-course meal will include flavour-packed plates, such as zucchini filled with vegetables and vegan soy béchamel sauce, a vegan feijoada and a tropical cheesecake. Places are HK$500 per person and include one drink. For more information and tickets, see here. Shark Awareness Day – July 14 It could be a long time until shark is off the menu in Hong Kong, which is why it’s crucial to educate young people on why they should say no to shark fin soup. On July 14 – Shark Awareness Day – Hong Kong University will host a free screening of the 2018 Canadian documentary Sharkwater Extinction, a harrowing exposé of the illegal fishing industry that threatens the survival of the world’s sharks. The event is aimed at students but all are welcome to attend. For more information and to sign up, see here. Cheung Chau plog – July 28 Plogging – picking up litter while jogging – has arrived in Hong Kong, combining exercise with countering the city’s rubbish-strewn trails and streets. Waste Free Hong Kong, an organisation formed to tackle plastic pollution and provide education around waste, is organising a plog on picturesque Cheung Chau island this month. The events often finish with a group meal to refuel and celebrate a hard day’s work beautifying Hong Kong. Participants will each receive a bag to collect rubbish but should bring their own reusable bottle, cutlery and food container to avoid acquiring any single-use plastic on the island. From 11am to 2pm, meeting at Cheung Chau ferry pier. For more information, see here. WWF Summer School Explorer Beat summer holiday boredom and get stuck into hands-on, family-friendly activities at a summer school hosted by WWF Hong Kong. There will be a one-day Urban Ecologist course in Tai Po, where games and observation activities will bring conservation to life; the two-day Urban Explorer programme, where children between six and eight years old will take a journey through marine biodiversity and conservation at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park; or children between ages nine and 11 have the three-day Nature Adventurer programme, taking in Mai Po’s wetland habitat, coral observation on board a glass bottomed boat, orienteering, snorkelling, and workshops on sustainable living and upcycling. From HK$1,300. Both English and Cantonese dates available. For more information and to book, see here. Look out for more stories from SCMP Lifestyle this month about sustainable living