A Future for Development
Copenhagen climate summit only reached a last-minute non-binding accord which was a setback to countless environmental advocates. WWF even said, “The UN climate talks in Copenhagen were inches away from total failure and ended with an outcome far too weak to tackle dangerous climate change.” The deal was so weak and the results were disappointing.
The climate summit was hosted to fight climate change painstakingly, but it involves some hidden agenda and a myriad of economic interests of various developed and developing at the expense of its rivals. Trying hard to defend their own economic development, the countries failed to compromise. Emission cuts and carbon reduction became just another campaign slogan. Indeed, the emission cuts of greenhouse gases not only help combat global warming, but are also vital to all countries’ environment and future.
For many years, climate scientists have warned us ominously: melting polar ice caps, the sea level, rising sea levels, submergence of island nations, disturbance to food chains and food webs, extinction of animal and plant species and worse still, human extinction. These are not merely warnings. Recently, I saw a few sad photos taken by photographer Chris Jordan on Midway Atoll near the middle of the North Pacific. The photos show dead albatross chicks whose bodies are filled with lighters, bottle caps and golf balls. Their parents should have mistaken food from the polluted sea, fed the babies and killed them. I suppose our ecosystem has already been disturbed.
To many Hongkongers, global warming and climate change seem so far away to worry about. We notice the rising temperatures in summer and winter as we feel the stronger summer heat and are upset by a smaller need of a winter coat. But it seems all the impacts we can experience. In summer, we can still maintain the indoor temperature at 18 to 20 degree Celsius and enjoy the coolness without concerning outside weather changes. In winter, we can take a flight to Europe in search for a white holiday. In the street, we frequently see shopaholics carrying plastic and paper shopping bags. The only impressive thing is that we saw more media coverage on the Copenhagen climate summit.
What I genuinely hope for 2010 is that every country would be aware of the importance of the issue, and sincerely and pragmatically make a commitment for the betterment of our future and our next generation. We can only sustain our economic development in a sustainable environment. Before the debate in the next climate change summit in Mexico City this December, we should instill environmental awareness in life, and be a good example among our family and friends so as to spread the message of loving the Earth and loving our future.
To me, the beauty of life lies in love, nature and arts. After years of planning and development, I and my team have established K11 in Hong Kong, with the vision of Art ‧ People ‧ Nature, to be opened by the end of 2009. I wish to share with you the perfect blending of art appreciation, humanistic experience, nature enjoyment and shopping.