Hong Kong Climate Change Response - CarbonCare InnoLab
CarbonCare InnoLab focuses on climate change in Hong Kong, encouraging lifestyle changes to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and switch to clean energy.
Independent NGO CCIL acts as a enabler in Climate Change Hong Kong through a slew of initiatives
Global warming and climate change are no longer terms that can be spoken about in seminars and conferences of world leaders alone. Global warming is a fearsome reality today. The changes that global warming will bring will not remain restricted to heat waves or cold waves that we have already begun to experience now. Floods and droughts are likely to be a new reality especially for China as the earth gets hotter. Climate Change Hong Kong can therefore no longer be an option.
Hong Kong is more vulnerable to the impact of global warming
A recent study conducted jointly by the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation proves that if greenhouse gas emissions continue as they are in this century, heavier and more frequent rainfall will increase both in number and intensity resulting in frequent floods on one hand and acute water shortage on the other in the coming decades for Southern China, such as in the Pearl River Basin. That the day may not be as distant as it seems is proven by the fact that heavy torrents that occurred once in every 50 to 100 years are much more frequent now.
In the present scenario, Climate Change Hong Kong cannot be reactive or remedial, but proactive in implementing preventive measures. Efforts and initiatives by the Government by way of investments and improvements in infrastructure are already underway. Some examples include the construction of storm water storage tanks and tunnels. While the Government is making efforts to address climate change in the best ways possible, the need of the hour is also for common citizens to rise to the occasion.
The role of CCIL as a harbinger of change
One such organisation taking meaningful strides towards Climate Change Hong Kong is CarboncareInnolab (CCIL), an independent NGO that is dedicated to the expansion of the circle of people dedicated to climate change innovation, education and action with a special focus on youth. CCIL has adopted a six pronged approach to implement Climate Change Hong Kong.
Firstly, it acts as a catalyst for innovation for climate change by nurturing a knowledge based community through various events and exchanges. It encourages and enables people with ideas for climate change through competitions and awards thus building a strong community. Secondly it links the like minded such as social innovators, marketeers, financiers and communicators who can take an innovative idea towards broader implementation.
Thirdly, it helps create a supportive environment through education and training programmes for the youth who have the potential to develop as leaders in climate change action. Fourthly, CCIL encourages various stakeholders by rewarding and acknowledging progress through a range of in climate change awards and labels. Fifthly, CCIL harnesses the power of the media through effective communication that lends a voice to those passionate about climate change and spread their ideas among both believers and sceptics. Lastly and most importantly it promotes community engagement by initiating projects in Climate Change Hong Kong among vulnerable communities to enable participation and engagement on issues of resilience and adaptation.