WWF promotes urgent climate change issue to Walk for Nature participants
WWF's Walk For Nature was held at Mai Po Nature Reserve yesterday to let the participants learn the urgency of climate change issue and its growing impact on our natural environment. The public were invited to help reduce greenhouse gas emission by reducing their carbon footprints.
"We are very happy and encouraged to see the high turn out of corporations and individuals for the Walk. Our corporate participants grew by more than 100 % compared to last year. This year, we have chosen Climate Change as the theme of the Walk as we want the public to understand its urgency. Climate Change is the most pressing environmental issue facing the world today and it is a serious threat to the world's biodiversity and ecosystems. It is also widely recognized as one of the most serious challenges facing mankind in the 21st Century. We all need to act NOW to reduce our carbon footprint for a better environment and healthier world,"said Mr Markus Shaw, Chairman of WWF Hong Kong.
The "Walk for Nature" takes place at Mai Po Nature Reserve on two consecutive Sundays, 28 October and 4 November 2007. The checkpoints have been designed with interactive games and exhibits to bring this pressing climate issue to the attention of the participants in an interesting and engaging way.
"Burning of fossil fuels generates a host of pollutants and causes global warming. I am grateful to WWF in organizing this "Walk for Nature" which will highlight the need for changing human behaviour to protect the biodiversity and I am delighted to be part of this very meaningful event," said Mr Otto Poon, Member, Council for Sustainable Development.
At Mai Po, we also witness a difference in the pattern of migratory birds due to higher winter temperatures. For example, the number of Dalmatian Pelicans has been declining with the warmer climate in Hong Kong at Mai Po from a peak of over 80 birds wintering in Deep Bay in the 1980. There have been less than 30 birds in the past five years and there were none recorded last winter. However on the other side, we have also witnessed an increase in the number of wintering Avocets which may partly be due to the warmer winter weather.
"We have seen a change in the migratory pattern of birds due to higher temperature. Unless we take urgent and effective action to reduce emission of greenhouse gas, particularly CO2 and methane, the entire ecological system may be at risk," added Mr Poon.
Mai Po is renowned as a birdwatcher's paradise. Every year, over 50,000 migratory waterbirds come to Mai Po for the winter including a fifth of the world's population of the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. WWF carries out many habitats enhancement projects to improve the wetlands for the birds. Our research team at Mai Po conducts regular monitoring of the birds and wildlife at the reserve. Funds raised will be used to support the conservation and education work of WWF Hong Kong．
Also attending the ceremony at Mai Po were Mr Edmond Leung, Ms Eunix Lee and Ms Kiki lam.
"We are happy to take part in the Walk and understand more on the climate issue. These days we can all feel that the temperature is getting hotter and hotter and there are lot of problems caused by the climate change. I think if we can make some little changes in our daily life to reduce our carbon footprints, we could make a big difference," said Edmond Leung."Time is running short and we must all act now to reduce carbon emissions," continued Edmond.
Established in 1961, WWF's ultimate goal is to stop environmental degradation and to build a future where people live in harmony with nature. WWF has been working in Hong Kong since 1981 to ensure a better environment for the present and future generations in Hong Kong through implementation of a wide range of focused conservation and environmental education programmes in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Canon Hongkong Company Limited and KPMG are our coral sponsors. Other participating corporations include Centaline Property Agency Limited, Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, Crown Motors Ltd., DHL Global Forwarding (Hong Kong) Limited, Hantec Investment Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd., Hysan Development Company Limited, Jebsen Group, Leigh & Orange Ltd., Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, Leo Paper Group, Maxell Asia, Ltd., Melco International Development Limited, Muji (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Nam Sang Wai Development Co. Ltd., Neonlite Electronic & Lighting (HK) Ltd., New Hong Kong Tunnel Company Limited, Orix Asia Limited, PCCW Limited, TAL Apparel Limited, The Bank of East Asia, The Hong Kong And China Gas Company Limited, United Chinese Plastics Products Co. Limited and Ward Ferry Management Ltd.
Special thanks to Meko Natural Mineral Water (Official Drinks), another F.C.K. (Official Fashion Brand), Victorinox Hong Kong Limited (Official Outdoor Gear), Commercial Radio HK (Official Radio Station), Schmidt Marketing (H.K.) Ltd. (Prize Sponsor), JC Decaux Texon, POAD and Rotary Centennial Insitute for Wetland Conservation (District 3450 Area 5) (Supporting Organizations).
