March e-Newsletter : Hot Days and Nights on the Rise, Register Now - Water Forum 2019

Over the past 30 years, the number of very hot days and hot nights in Hong Kong has been on a rise. While some of us may enjoy a warm winter, a warming climate increases the likelihood of a heat stroke, particular for the more vulnerable elderly. Less fatally but equally serious, higher temperatures disrupt sleeping patterns, causing tiredness, irritability, and low productivity. Worst of all, turning on air conditioning only exacerbates the problem in long term.

As individuals, we can beat the heat by pairing air conditioners with fans to maintain thermal comfort without needing to set such a low temperature. For property developers and the government, building envelopes should be designed to limit heat gain through insulation, reflective glazing, green walls, and more.

To learn more about energy and climate change, please visit our website.

Jockey Club COOL Neighbours for Energy Saving Programme was completed successfully. At its Closing Ceremony cum Award Presentation Ceremony for Year-end Energy Saving Competition, we announced the encouraging result has been achieved throughout the 2-year programme. It saved 8,000,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to planting 300,000 trees, which is about 10 % of the total consumption of residential electricity among 28,000 participating households. Officiating guest Mr. Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment, and Mrs. Mei Ng, BBS, Chairperson of FoE (HK) shared energy saving tips with guests and appealed to the public, reiterated that Hong Kong people should continue to save energy so that the carbon emission would be reduced.

Corporate Members Event - Tree to Wood Experience Workshop and Vegetated Slopes Eco Tour Succeed. Sustain. SlopeScape - Tree to Wood Experience Workshop and Vegetated Slopes Eco Tour organised by the Highways Department was hold for the corporate members of FoE (HK). Through the tour, participants learnt the properties of Acacia Confusa and made a wooden chair by themselves. Part of the wooden chair is made up of the fabric collected from the FoE (HK)’s Used Clothes Recycling Programme. Our used clothes deserve a second life.  For details, please contact Mr. Joe Chau of Business Engagement Team at 3184 1516 or email to rps@foe.org.hk .

Reduced 11% Waste at Schools - Municipal Solid Waste Audit and Waste Reduction at School Scheme FoE(HK) conducted waste audit in eight primary schools. The waste audit result of December 2018 and January 2019 showed an average reduction of 11 percent in the waste produced per school which is higher than the 5% expected outcome. Hopefully the schools can keep it up and incorporate "Use Less, Waste Less” into their daily practice.  Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information.