Daily Archives: September 16, 2014
Climate summit – a call to take action
Posted by Peter MUIR
Last week, it was announced that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached record highs. “Pleading ignorance can no longer be an excuse for not acting,” said the World Meteorological Organisation.
Actions to draw the attention of politicians and others to concerns about climate change are being taken in many countries in advance of the climate summit in New York beginning on 23 September.
Click here for information about this summit.
There are 2919 marches and other actions taking place over the coming few days in many countries. For details click here – it includes of the People’s climate march in Connaught Place, Central., this Sunday 21st Sept at 1pm.
The campaigning organisation Avaaz is mounting an enormous worldwide petition on the subject. It aims to reach 3 million signatures: “A 100% clean energy future is the only solution to save our planet from unimaginable climate devastation. Join us now to make our call massive before world leaders meet for an emergency summit — we only have days left ”
Why not get people in DC and DB aware of this action – start developing awareness in DC tomorrow!
Background information:
The most influential climate change paper today remains unknown to most people (Inside Climate News)
IPCC climate change report: averting catastrophe is eminently affordable (The Guardian)
Heroic Swim Around Lantau Island for Plastic Free Seas
Posted by Peter MUIR
Bruce Pye is embarking on a monumental task. This experienced marathon and triathlon sportsman has pledged to swim around the entire Lantau Island – a staggering 75km – in order to raise awareness of the environmental impact of plastic.
A gruelling swim over five consecutive days will see Bruce start his journey on Tai Pak beach in Discovery Bay on 29 October 2014 at 7.45am. He will cover approximately 15km each day. Following the completion of each leg, Bruce will participate in a beach cleanup alongside local schools, clubs, corporates and interested members of the public. The goals of this adventure are to: raise awareness of the issue of plastics in the South China Sea, undertake research looking at the plastic load in the South China Sea, and raise money for Plastic Free Sea’s Education and Research Sea Classroom which will be launched later this year.
The targeted beaches are: Luk Keng Bay (near Sunny Bay MTR), Tung Chung Bay, Fan Lau (south-western tip of Lantau Island) and Shui Hau Wan (near Tong Fuk). Bruce will repeat the process of swimming and doing beach cleanups until 2 November 2014, when a celebratory lunch will be held to present the ceremonial cheque for the funds raised so far from the event. All the proceeds will go to Plastic Free Seas, a charity dedicated to educating children on plastic marine pollution. Fundraising will continue until the end of November.
When asked for his reaction to the highly positive feedback he has received from the public, an excited Bruce replied, “Plastic Free Seas is a wonderful organisation, teaching our children about an issue that has always been very close to my heart. I’ve always wanted to give back and this event is exactly that. We need to make sure that the world we leave behind for our children is in a better state than when we entered it.”
People who would like to sponsor Bruce on his amazing and challenging journey can visit www.justgiving.com/75kmswimchallenge to make a donation which will support Plastic Free Seas’ education programmes, specifically their education and research vessel.
Businesses interested in making a donation or sponsoring the event should contact info@sportsworld.hk for more information
About Bruce Pye
Bruce Pye, a long-term resident of Hong Kong, is currently a Captain with Cathay Pacific and is the Managing Director at Sports World, a store selling high-end sports apparel, gear and products to people with an active lifestyle. He is also a frequent competitor in marathons, triathlons and ironman races. A keen athlete, he likes to put his athletic skills to useful causes, the most recent being the Marathon Des Sables, a 251km footrace in the sweltering Saharan desert heat. It was an easy decision for him to choose to support Plastic Free Seas in his newest adventure.
About Plastic Free Seas
Plastic Free Seas was registered as a charitable non-profit organisation in Hong Kong in 2013, and is dedicated to advocating change in the way people view and use plastics in society today, through education and action campaigns.
Solution-based education has been Plastic Free Seas’ focus, and in the past year they have reached more than 5000 kindergarten to university students in over 40 schools with talks and programmes. The aim is that by understanding the issues related to plastic waste and pollution, people will choose to use less plastic and therefore less plastic will end up in the ocean, polluting the waters, affecting the fish and entering the food chain.
Plastic Free Seas also works with companies, community groups and the HKSAR Government on action campaigns and awareness events.
The proceeds from this fundraiser will enable the Plastic Free Seas Education and Research Sea Classroom to be operational in 2014. A converted ex-fishing trawler will take secondary school students out onto the water to experience and participate in science-based learning programmes at sea. This environmental Sea Classroom is the first of its kind in Hong Kong.
