REACT, IT'S HAPPENING

29/11/2016

Passionate discussion among participants abounded at BWPI Shenzhen studio on November 18, 2016, fuelled by bountious food and beverage under the theme “Climate Change—Soft or Hard Landing”.

Image:BWPI

Image:BWPI

This salon welcomed presenter Apple Lau, founder of Stand4Nature, an environmental concern group focused on issuses related to climate change. As with BWPI director Barry Wilson, Apple Lau is one of the Climate Reality Leaders trained in the 32nd Climate Reality Leadership Corps event in Shenzhen of June 2016. Apple shared her knowledge on this theme and raised questions, which brought heated discussions on the role of big countries, green lifestyle and other relevant topics.

Image:BWPI

Paris Agreement, US in or out

Participants discussed the US’s role in the Paris Agreement; currently attracting much attention resulting from President-elect Donald Trump's repeated vows to cancel the agreement, or at least the US’s participation. The agreement, targeted at keeping global warming below 2°C, was reached almost a year ago but is only a “framework”, according to International Energy Agency, and requires sweeping policy changes to put its aims into force. [1]

Shared Bicycles Everywhere

Shared bicycle services launched in Shenzhen in the past few weeks were appraised by the participants because of their being more user-friendly and flexible compared to traditional services. In our recent articles we introduced the orange, heavy duty Mobike, now people in Shenzhen have witnessed the bright yellow and lightweight OFO bike competing actively with several existing companies.[2] We expect this healthy competition to bring better service and user experience. In addition, similar clean-energy car rental services introduced to Italy, that are customer-oriented and much more convenient also received positive reviews.

Image:BWPI

Car Reducing Approaches

More vehicles are now on the road with increasing carbon emissions. It was stated that people need negative incentives to reduce car purchasing. For example, in Germany, government charges a high rate of tax on fuel and cars, the latter one occurs not only in buying and selling but also in carbon  emissions. Policies like this were proved to be effective in reducing cars on the road. It is noteworthy that Beijing government is tightening emission standards for automobiles; subsidies of up to 12,000 yuan will be given to drivers who replace their high-polluting vehicles[3]. It seems that this cannot reduce the number of cars on the road; salon participants also wondered the carbon foot print of producing a new car.

Sources of Pollution

Participant also identified other sources of pollution such as energy plants, industry and shipping pollution. It surprised many that shipping had become the biggest single polluter in Hong Kong; controls on that appeare not yet adequate.

Yes to a Cool Future!

Participants held a positive attitude toward the world adapting to the new situation under climate change and highlighted that there are still many things we could do to contribute. BWPI office was merry with the hum of conversation and laughter; all the participants left by BMW (Bike, Metro, and Walking).

Next time, hopefully, Donald Trump will join our discussion. This would clear up many ambiguities raised during the evening.

Attendees 出席名单:

Apple Lau | Stand4Nature  
Benjack Phillips | AECOM
Aaron Twaddell |  Peninsula Montessori Kindergarten
Diana Deng | ISG
Rachel Qin
Michael She | Pvinergy Technologies
Saulin Li | Best Cheer Stone Group
Paolo Persico
Barry Wilson | BWPI
Yining Zhang | BWPI
Jojo Qiao | BWPI
Aleksandra Sargaeva | BWPI


Videos:
Before the Flood - Leonardo DiCaprio 

Further reading:
2016 will be the hottest year on record, UN says

​References:
[1]https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/16/paris-climate-deal-at-risk-unless-countries-step-up-plans-says-watchdog
[2] http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/society/New-improved-Mobikes-now-on-the-streets/shdaily.shtml
[3] http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-11/22/content_27448350.htm?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

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