Burning bright
There has more discussion about light pollution in recent years, and quite a number of lights - out campaigns have been launched in Hong Kong, but the concept remains new to most people.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) website has no information about light pollution, and many people are probably sceptical as to whether it really is a kind of pollution.
“in general, Hong Kong people still do not have a clear concept of what light pollution is, which makes it more difficult to tackle the problem,”says Chu Hon - Keung, environmental affairs manager of the Friends of the Earth (FoE).
“Some people might think the brighter the city is, the more developed it looks.”
FoE organised a lights -out campaign this summer, and more than 140 buildings lining Victoria Harbour switched off their lights on June 21.
But Mr Chu says one - night campaigns such as the June 21 event were merely symbolic, aimed thier attitudes.
unlike other forms of pollution, such as air, water and noise pollution, which have a direct and - in the case of air and water - visible effect on health and the environment, light pollution is not an obvious problem. Therefore, the side effects have been neglected and underestimated.
But, as Mr Chu points out, light pollution has a number of negative impacts, both on the environment and on our health.
“Overuse of lighting requires increased electricity generation, which means more carbon dioxide - a green - house gas that is intensifying global warming,” says Mr Chu.
over - illumination can also make people feel ill, according to Mr Chu.
“Shop owners love to use spotlights in shopping malis. It's unnecessary and puts a strain on customers' eyes,” he says.
更新1:
“Light pollution is not fatal, but it can be a from of prolonged that stays on all night cannot sleep well, which affects their quality of life.” mr Chu reminds people whose sleep is affected by light pollution to complain to the government.
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“The government is doing little about light pollution. It's trying to escape from the problem. Complaints will put pressure on the government to face it squarely,”he says.
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discuss 1. What can we do to encourage people to use less electrically generated lighting and more natural light? 2. Apart from wasting electricity, in what other ways does electric lighting affect the environment?
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Commentary / Relfection Write about 150 words.
