TreeCare
Past Event
2021-05-10
CarbonCare InnoLab TreeCare Programme x Chang Pui Chung Memorial School
CarbonCare InnoLab held a virtual TreeCare Workshop on 10 May for the students from Chang Pui Chung Memorial School in order to inspire them to protect the environment. The activity is divided into two parts. We first introduce the current condition of renewable energy in Hong Kong, taking the Crossroads Foundation’s solar installation as an example. In Hong Kong, renewable energy accounts for only 1% of the total electricity supply. However, there are many potential resources for local renewable energy development. Given that many rooftop and outdoor areas are not fully utilized, together with sufficient sunlight, CarbonCare InnoLab would like to promote the universalization of relatively clean solar energy. Crossroads Foundation is equipped with more than 400 solar panels. It is estimated that their solar system can generate approximately 200,000 units of renewable energy a year, which is equal to the annual energy consumption of 43 households.
The Crossroads Foundation has planted different species of trees. We have selected Fan Palm, Chinese Banyan and Sweet Gum for everyone to know about. Needless to say, the short-nosed fruit bat, one of the mammals, lives in the palm leaves. We can see them in the urban area! The color of the leaves of Sweet Gum will change with the seasons. It will turn orange-red in the fall. Its fruit can be used for medicinal purposes after being dried, which is commonly known as "Lu Lu Tong", which has the effects of dispelling wind, dredging collaterals, and dehumidifying.
In the second half of the event, we invited the arborist, Ms. Kwan, to share with the participants. Ms. Kwan is an ISA certified arborist with 11 years of working experience in arboriculture. Apart from introducing different types of tree management personnel, she also explained the entry requirements and certified examinations of being an arborist. Teachers asked about the total number of arborists in Hong Kong and the vacancies. Ms. Kwan added that students who wish to become arborists can read more books about trees and refer to the tree-labels attached to tree trunks so as to familiarize themselves with tree species identification. After the activity, students remarked that they have learned more about the arboricultural industry, raised their awareness to protect the environment and would promote tree protection work to others.