90% of HK's 11 million daily passenger trips are via public transport, making HK a leader in transport modal efficiency.
HK's commercial diesel fleet is responsible for 90% of RSPs (i.e. suspended particulates smaller than 10 micrometers that can penetrate deep into the lungs)
The commercial diesel fleet is estimated to account for 70% of all vehicle distance traveled in HK.
20% of all Singapore's buses (860 of 4353) are Euro IV or above, compared to only less than 1% of HK's buses (53 of 5768)!
Read Civic Exchange's research paper for more facts and a full analysis of the challenge of replacing old franchised buses. www.civic-exchange.org, "Paying for a Cleaner Bus Fleet: How Government Can Break the Log Jam"
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
Sunday, December 20, 2009
BREAKFAST WITH THE EPD
On Friday, I met with senior officials from the EPD. In brief, there were three takeaways, based on our exchange of notes. Whereas I reported on our campaign's progress, the EPD gave me an update on the status of the Government's 19 abatement initiatives:
1) The Government won't propose a subsidy to enable the passage of its 19-measure abatement package until it receives a "clear signal from the public" that the latter is ready to share some of the cost AND insists on contribution from all stakeholders, including the Government and polluters. Moreover, the EPD hopes that the public will signal its willingness to contribute to ALL aspects of clean-up -- not just buses, but ferries, the power sector, etc. Despite many surveys demonstrating that the public is ready to contribute, provided there is equitable cost-sharing, this message has yet to reach the inner ear of the Government. No doubt the Government prefers to turn a deaf ear until the public's demands become unmistakable, in order to avoid the difficult political task of opening up the treasury's purse. So, it looks like we have our work cut out for us in the next year: whereas before we were focused on putting the issue of air pollution on the radar of the HK public, it's now clear that we have adjust our message in this next phase of our campaign. THE COST OF CLEAN-UP WILL NOT BE FAIR UNLESS BORNE BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT AND POLLUTERS.
2) Regarding the curb of marine emissions in the Pearl River Delta, any joint Emissions Control Area with Guangdong would be subject to approval by the International Maritime Organization. To wit, ECAs in North America and the Baltic have been legislated as a matter of national sovereignty only. Thus, attempts to coordinate with regional environmental or maritime authorities in southern China are besides the point: success will require the buy-in of the Chinese central government.
3) The "leisure and recreational" ferries from HK to Macau are as polluting as the local passenger ferries. The EPD suggested that perhaps we could consider focusing some of our efforts on the clean-up of these services. After all, these passenger trips are "optional" when compared to the commuter services ferrying passengers to and fro work every day. Consequently, these recreational ferry services are not the subject of as much concern or regulation by the Government. Thus, left to their own devices, the HK-Macau ferry services are permitted to set fares, based on commercial factors only. Obvious implication: it is easier to retrofit or phase out old, polluting HK-Macau ferries and pass on the increase in operating expenses to passengers than to do the same to local ferry services. I will contact the EPD later for more information about the state of these leisure ferry craft and the emissions attributable to each service's fleet. But, for now, CAN will remain focused on the primary target of ROADSIDE emissions. In the big scheme of things, roadside emissions are something within the control of Hong Kong, which gravely impact health.
1) The Government won't propose a subsidy to enable the passage of its 19-measure abatement package until it receives a "clear signal from the public" that the latter is ready to share some of the cost AND insists on contribution from all stakeholders, including the Government and polluters. Moreover, the EPD hopes that the public will signal its willingness to contribute to ALL aspects of clean-up -- not just buses, but ferries, the power sector, etc. Despite many surveys demonstrating that the public is ready to contribute, provided there is equitable cost-sharing, this message has yet to reach the inner ear of the Government. No doubt the Government prefers to turn a deaf ear until the public's demands become unmistakable, in order to avoid the difficult political task of opening up the treasury's purse. So, it looks like we have our work cut out for us in the next year: whereas before we were focused on putting the issue of air pollution on the radar of the HK public, it's now clear that we have adjust our message in this next phase of our campaign. THE COST OF CLEAN-UP WILL NOT BE FAIR UNLESS BORNE BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT AND POLLUTERS.
2) Regarding the curb of marine emissions in the Pearl River Delta, any joint Emissions Control Area with Guangdong would be subject to approval by the International Maritime Organization. To wit, ECAs in North America and the Baltic have been legislated as a matter of national sovereignty only. Thus, attempts to coordinate with regional environmental or maritime authorities in southern China are besides the point: success will require the buy-in of the Chinese central government.
3) The "leisure and recreational" ferries from HK to Macau are as polluting as the local passenger ferries. The EPD suggested that perhaps we could consider focusing some of our efforts on the clean-up of these services. After all, these passenger trips are "optional" when compared to the commuter services ferrying passengers to and fro work every day. Consequently, these recreational ferry services are not the subject of as much concern or regulation by the Government. Thus, left to their own devices, the HK-Macau ferry services are permitted to set fares, based on commercial factors only. Obvious implication: it is easier to retrofit or phase out old, polluting HK-Macau ferries and pass on the increase in operating expenses to passengers than to do the same to local ferry services. I will contact the EPD later for more information about the state of these leisure ferry craft and the emissions attributable to each service's fleet. But, for now, CAN will remain focused on the primary target of ROADSIDE emissions. In the big scheme of things, roadside emissions are something within the control of Hong Kong, which gravely impact health.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED SMOKY VEHICLE SPOTTER
SO many people ask me all the time, how can I become a smoky vehicle spotter? Or how can I report smoky vehicles to the EPD?
On the latter question: you can report smoky vehicles to the epd, but unless you are a REGISTERED spotter, the epd has no obligation to follow up your complaint. So, then, the first question becomes even more relevant.
On the latter question: you can report smoky vehicles to the epd, but unless you are a REGISTERED spotter, the epd has no obligation to follow up your complaint. So, then, the first question becomes even more relevant.
In order to become a spotter, you must attend an official govt training session. There is approximately one four-hour chinese language saturday morning session a month held at the EMSD in kowloon bay. English training is also conducted but much less frequently.
The EPD has told us that it is willing to conduct special classes (in english or chinese) for members of CAN on request, should we have sufficient demand for such sessions.
WHY should YOU become a spotter? Because roadside emissions are the single biggest threat to human health and spotters can make a genuine impact on curbing those emissions. There are approximately 120,000 vehicles in HK. Approximately 1000 registered spotters a year report 10,000 smoky vehicles to the EPD.
I attended the course yesterday and it consisted of the following sections and learnings, roughly --
How Emissions are Formed;
How Smoky Vehicles are Controlled;
The Ordinance;
Number of Emission Testing Notifications Issued by the EPD; Duties of the Spotter;
Vehicle Call-up Procedure;
Cases where No Action Taken; Treatment of Govt Vehicles;
How a Diesel Engine Works;
Causes of Smoky Emissions;
How to Identify Class, Color and Body Type of Vehicle;
How to Complete the Spotter Form Correctly;
Measuring and Judging Smoky Emissions (visual assessment of HSU);
Spotter Test in Live Traffic Conditions.
The HSU assessment training was done outside with a specially rigged diesel truck, the emissions from which can be increased or decreased in HSU. (An HSU is a unit of smokiness.) We watched the truck spew out different levels of emissions in order to practice our eye for violative emissions exceeding 70 HSU. After 30 minutes of such practice, which was pretty unpleasant because you stand next to an old truck emitting blasts of black smoke, we were driven to a spotting location in Wong Tai Sin -- a footbridge over a very busy stretch of highway. (This location can only be termed "Diesel Fumes Central". If it isn't obvious already, asthmatics should NOT undergo smoky vehicle spotter training!) While stationed on the footbridge looking down on fast-moving cars and trucks, our instructor called out vehicle registration numbers so we could practice spotting and get used to completing the fields on the spotting form - registration number, vehicle class, color, smoky/not smoky and body type (optional). After 15 minutes of practice, we took the official "exam" -- spotting 12 vehicles in total. While a "grade" of 100 is required to become a spotter, the main consideration is, NEVER report a marginal case where you are uncertain. In other words, do not tick the "smoky" box on the form unless you are 100% sure that the emissions exceed 70 HSUs. That said, it is practically impossible to flunk the test unless you sleep through the training session!
Although I underwent spotter training in order to give feedback to the EPD on how to streamline the training process (see below), I ended up thoroughly enjoying the training session and came away enriched by the course material and encyclopedic knowledge of our instructor.
Thus, I encourage you, a member of the general public, to become a registered spotter if you want to make a genuine impact on our air quality.
You can either apply directly to the government for a place at the next open training session (a process which can take months)
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/report_pollution/spotter_training.html
OR
Send an email to info@hongkongcan.org and we will let you know of upcoming spotter training sessions organized by CAN.
________________
Below is my email to the EPD on how they could potentially shorten the training process to motivate more people to become registered spotters. Who knows whether or if the EPD will take my comments into account to modify or shorten the training process. Thus, I encourage you to go ahead and sign up for training NOW, instead of waiting.
-----Original Message-----
From: "Joanne Ooi (Clean Air Network)" <joanneooican@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:50:36
Subject: Recap and comments re: smoky vehicle spotter training of 12/12/09
First, I want to say that I was very impressed by Mr. Wong's knowledge and manner in today's session. I asked many questions, for which he had immediate very helpful answers. On top of that, he was an engaging and sociable instructor. Indeed, I can even go so far as to say that today's session was not just greatly illuminating but surprisingly fun.
HOWEVER, based on my careful notes and attention to the apportionment between the different learning modules, I would like to make the following observations, which I hope you will find helpful in possibly streamlining the training sessions:
After going through the entire process, it is obvious that there is no substitute for real-time, in-person assessment and classification of real-life smoky emissions and vehicles. It is impossible to simulate this testing and assessment situation online or otherwise. This real-life testing situation moreover engraved in my mind the rule, "when in doubt, do NOT report!"
Prior to the visual assessment of HSUs conducted outside with a real truck's exhaust, however, all the lecture material could have been read (and memorized) in advance by attendees prior to the training session. This information is extremely interesting and valuable. (Without citing the specific titles of each powerpoint slide, I refer to How Emissions are Formed, How Smoky Vehicles are Controlled, The Ordinance, Number of Emission Testing Notifications, Duties of the Spotter, Vehicle Call-up Procedure, Cases where No Action Taken, Treatment of Govt Vehicles, How a Diesel Engine Works, Causes of Smoky Emissions, How to Identify Class, Color and Body Type of Vehicle, and How to Complete the Spotter Form Correctly.) But there is no reason it cannot be summarized in a downloadable pdf and studied by would-be spotters in advance. Regarding the class, color, body type and characteristics of vehicles, which must be mastered by spotters: although it was fun to learn this information in class together, this information can undoubtedly be mastered beforehand, and even tested online through very simple tools and documents.
By putting the first half of the session's teachings online, one could HALVE the training session time. Indeed, the powerpoint for these teachings (the first half's) already exists. (It is the same one which was used by Mr. Wong, today, of course.) Regarding how to identify class, body type and color of vehicles, it would not be difficult to create some simple online materials for the would-be spotter: these could be simple powerpoints of vehicle images with an answer key at the back comprised of correctly completed spotter forms corresponding to the vehicles pictured.
The key, of course, to LESS hand-holding during the live teaching session would be stricter testing at the live, in-person EMSD session in a real-life traffic situation. Obviously, THAT would be the real test of whether the spotter-student had actually mastered the requisite material IN ADVANCE. The current testing situation, due to the variability of traffic conditions, is quite relaxed. Possibly, the EPD could consider slightly more rigorous testing to ensure that students had genuinely mastered the course material, if there was a concern about absorption of the required information prior to the EMSD training sessions.
What the EPD cares about, after all, is the RESULT -- greater accuracy in spotting -- rather than compulsory attendance of a lengthy training session.
That said, however, it would be ideal if spotters had the OPTION of self-learning OR being taught live at the EMSD for the sections I listed above. Spotters who had prepared in advance could attend the second half of the session, while spotters desirous of the classroom teaching experience could attend the entire session, from beginning to end.
A final note --
The current training material and powerpoint could be strengthened in 2 important ways:
1) Greater explanation of how smoky emissions affect human and public health. Indeed, I was surprised to learn today that 10,000 smoky vehicle reports are filed each year! That is a staggering number considering the overall number of diesel vehicles in Hong Kong. The ratio of spotted vehicles (approximately 10,000) to the overall diesel "population" (120,000) means that smoky vehicle spotters (of which only 1000 are active of the total number of 5000 registered spotters) are playing a genuinely significant role in curbing toxic roadside emissions from commercial vehicles.
2) Slightly more emphasis on the importance of the smoky vehicle report -- that it is a binding LEGAL document. You had emphasized this point to me repeatedly at our meeting. This point reinforces the importance of precision and conscientiousness when submitting a report.
CAN is very willing to assist the EPD to streamline the process by helping to compile the necessary materials and lend manpower to this initiative. It is very much in CAN's interests to see more members of the public become smoky vehicle spotters since roadside emissions presently pose the greatest threat to human health.
I hope that my comments will be taken in a constructive spirit. It is CAN's intention to function as the EPD's partner in educating and informing the Hong Kong public about roadside emissions (and their adverse health consequences) and, of course, reducing such emissions.
Sincerely,
Joanne Ooi
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
Friday, December 11, 2009
THAT WAS FUN!
Despite asphyxiation from all the real-life testing on the curb, EPD's smoky vehicle spotter training was incredibly interesting and informative. Thanks to the encyclopedic knowledge and engaging personality of SM Wong, EPD's Chief Environmental Protection Inspector, who conducted the training, I learned a boatload of new facts, such as:
how a 4-stroke diesel engine actually works; (Despite spending every waking hour of my life branding diesel commercial vehicles the main public health culprit of hk's streets, I finally learned today how those engines work. Today's session also reminded me that CAN needs to explain to the public WHY diesel emissions are dangerous to the human body.);
only 1000 (or less) are active out of HK's 5000 registered spotters;
there are 10,000 reports of smoky vehicles per year, approximately;
there are 120,000 diesel vehicles on the road;
there are 3 remaining diesel-powered taxis in HK;
the police and the EPD jointly conduct about 10 sessions of random observation and testing
per month to monitor smoky vehicles ("netting" between 10-12 smoky offenders approximately per each 2-3 hour session);
the distinguishing characteristic of a "coach" as opposed to a "passenger van" (think, school buses) is a metal bar on the side of the vehicle between the vehicle's axles;
etc,
etc.
In short, what I expected to be a big snooze wasn't at all. Rather, for any resident of Hong Kong with a modicum of curiosity, this is a FUN and STIMULATING activity, which I would recommend highly provided the instructor is as well-informed and sociable as Mr. Wong.
That said, I will be writing a much longer analysis of how the entire training process can be streamlined so more members of the public (less avid than myself) can join the program.
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
how a 4-stroke diesel engine actually works; (Despite spending every waking hour of my life branding diesel commercial vehicles the main public health culprit of hk's streets, I finally learned today how those engines work. Today's session also reminded me that CAN needs to explain to the public WHY diesel emissions are dangerous to the human body.);
only 1000 (or less) are active out of HK's 5000 registered spotters;
there are 10,000 reports of smoky vehicles per year, approximately;
there are 120,000 diesel vehicles on the road;
there are 3 remaining diesel-powered taxis in HK;
the police and the EPD jointly conduct about 10 sessions of random observation and testing
per month to monitor smoky vehicles ("netting" between 10-12 smoky offenders approximately per each 2-3 hour session);
the distinguishing characteristic of a "coach" as opposed to a "passenger van" (think, school buses) is a metal bar on the side of the vehicle between the vehicle's axles;
etc,
etc.
In short, what I expected to be a big snooze wasn't at all. Rather, for any resident of Hong Kong with a modicum of curiosity, this is a FUN and STIMULATING activity, which I would recommend highly provided the instructor is as well-informed and sociable as Mr. Wong.
That said, I will be writing a much longer analysis of how the entire training process can be streamlined so more members of the public (less avid than myself) can join the program.
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
SMOKY VEHICLE SPOTTING
I am now waiting at the EMSD in Kowloon Bay to begin smoky vehicle spotter training. A few weeks ago, I requested a meeting with the EPD to discuss WHY it takes 4 hours to train a smoky vehicle spotter.
Since beginning my work at CAN, it has become obvious that the NUMBER ONE thing people want to do when they ask, "How can I get involved?", is report vehicles with filthy tailpipe emissions. Thus, in an effort to get more people involved with the city's air pollution clean-up, it made sense to understand and, even, attempt to streamline the training process with the EPD.
So, today, after a very constructive discussion with the EPD, I am here to undergo training. And, then, write a detailed report with recommendations on HOW the training process can be put online and shortened, so more members of the public will be motivated to enter the program and become registered spotters. To date, there are approximately 5000 registered spotters in HK, but it is important to remember that the govt has conducted this program for 20 years.
Smoky vehicle spotting is also a good way to mobilize public attention on the upcoming introduction of the long-awaited anti-idling ordinance. According to the EPD, they will introduce the bill to Legco before the end of the year. The EPD has asked us to mobilize public support for this bill. Although idling is NOT the same as vehicle spotting, the two offending behaviors are transgressions or negligence by INDIVIDUAL vehicles, resulting in harm to the public. Thus, even if smoky vehicles are not the same as engine idlers, they are unified under the rubric of "Drivers [or companies] who don't give a sh----"
More later -- after I have completed training and, hopefully, passed the test....
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
Since beginning my work at CAN, it has become obvious that the NUMBER ONE thing people want to do when they ask, "How can I get involved?", is report vehicles with filthy tailpipe emissions. Thus, in an effort to get more people involved with the city's air pollution clean-up, it made sense to understand and, even, attempt to streamline the training process with the EPD.
So, today, after a very constructive discussion with the EPD, I am here to undergo training. And, then, write a detailed report with recommendations on HOW the training process can be put online and shortened, so more members of the public will be motivated to enter the program and become registered spotters. To date, there are approximately 5000 registered spotters in HK, but it is important to remember that the govt has conducted this program for 20 years.
Smoky vehicle spotting is also a good way to mobilize public attention on the upcoming introduction of the long-awaited anti-idling ordinance. According to the EPD, they will introduce the bill to Legco before the end of the year. The EPD has asked us to mobilize public support for this bill. Although idling is NOT the same as vehicle spotting, the two offending behaviors are transgressions or negligence by INDIVIDUAL vehicles, resulting in harm to the public. Thus, even if smoky vehicles are not the same as engine idlers, they are unified under the rubric of "Drivers [or companies] who don't give a sh----"
More later -- after I have completed training and, hopefully, passed the test....
If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw
What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/
The #1 resource for health, news, policy about HK air pollution. JOIN US at www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
Have you signed the Petition for Clean Air?
http://hongkongcan.org/eng/
Joanne Ooi
CEO
Clean Air Network
Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road
Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Telephone 3971 0106
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thank GOD green business is good business!
Let's be perfectly honest, in a money-obsessed city like HK, can there be ANY other reason for business to adopt cleaner technologies?
Take the three examples cited by Jared Diamond in his editorial this week for the IHT -- Walmart, Coke, and Chevron. Main point: being environmental isn't just good PR, but a more efficient way to utilize and extract the dwindling natural resources which are indispensable product and manufacturing inputs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/opinion/06diamond.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jared%20diamond&st=cse
In short, as the precious natural resources dry up, literally, green business will become the ONLY way to do business in the medium and long term.
It's only once the HK Government internalizes this philosophy that we will see tighter controls imposed on emissions. In this city, the tail wags the dog: in other words, BUSINESS MUST LEAD THE WAY. It's only then that the Government will take heart and follow.
Take the three examples cited by Jared Diamond in his editorial this week for the IHT -- Walmart, Coke, and Chevron. Main point: being environmental isn't just good PR, but a more efficient way to utilize and extract the dwindling natural resources which are indispensable product and manufacturing inputs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/opinion/06diamond.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jared%20diamond&st=cse
In short, as the precious natural resources dry up, literally, green business will become the ONLY way to do business in the medium and long term.
It's only once the HK Government internalizes this philosophy that we will see tighter controls imposed on emissions. In this city, the tail wags the dog: in other words, BUSINESS MUST LEAD THE WAY. It's only then that the Government will take heart and follow.
Friday, December 4, 2009
CAN'T SLEEP
because there are too many good things happening!
...
i underwent media training at hill & knowlton on friday. what a hoot! the experience proved that i look about as welcoming as the grim reaper. MORE SMILINESS REQUIRED. this has been a life-long problem which, in static photos, i've managed to overcome, but not when a camera is trained on my face. what was much more important though was discovering that our campaign manager, Sum,is fantastic on camera -- engaging, amiable, and articulate, with commitment and passion practically oozing from every pore. for a movement which MUST be spearheaded in chinese, it was a very important corroboration of my early instincts that i would be able to pass the baton to her. alleleuiah! Now if only i could clone 3 more of her....
...
i spoke at Chinese International School yesterday to an enthusiastic, even rapturous, audience of more than 120 14-year olds. bar none, they were the most exuberant youngsters i've met so far in my short NGO career. there was cheering and whistling but also silence and respectful listening. and when i asked for 3 volunteers, i got 15. the highlight was showing them our video, "Breathing not allowed", then watching the videos they'd made about air pollution with sister NGO, focus on film. the whole thing reminded me why i decided to quit my private sector career: my highest use is influencing people's minds.
..
i went straight from cis to ddb, our ad agency, to discuss their proposed concepts for our tv commercial campaign. we decided to do two ads: one will be shocking and visceral -- based on breathing and, well, er, not breathing. the other concept will be much more cinematic, scripted and acted. artistry, ingenuity and originality are even more difficult and, yet, more important, in this area.... we also have to take much more responsibility for our imagery. "what if a 4 year old is watching?" these questions never used to come up when i was photographing completely transparent blouses on bra-less 20 year old models...
...
i'm happy to report that looking back over the past week, we've managed to sign up one of hk's biggest movie stars to front our ad campaign and signed up one of hk's biggest shopping mall developers. 40% of hong kong passes through their malls. ZOUNDS! one of hk's most prominent restauranteurs has also decided to conduct a major PR stunt/campaign for us, details to be hammered out shortly. it's all good in CANland -- at least for the next forty-eight hours, until it starts all over again.
...
now if i could just get back to sleep....
...
i underwent media training at hill & knowlton on friday. what a hoot! the experience proved that i look about as welcoming as the grim reaper. MORE SMILINESS REQUIRED. this has been a life-long problem which, in static photos, i've managed to overcome, but not when a camera is trained on my face. what was much more important though was discovering that our campaign manager, Sum,is fantastic on camera -- engaging, amiable, and articulate, with commitment and passion practically oozing from every pore. for a movement which MUST be spearheaded in chinese, it was a very important corroboration of my early instincts that i would be able to pass the baton to her. alleleuiah! Now if only i could clone 3 more of her....
...
i spoke at Chinese International School yesterday to an enthusiastic, even rapturous, audience of more than 120 14-year olds. bar none, they were the most exuberant youngsters i've met so far in my short NGO career. there was cheering and whistling but also silence and respectful listening. and when i asked for 3 volunteers, i got 15. the highlight was showing them our video, "Breathing not allowed", then watching the videos they'd made about air pollution with sister NGO, focus on film. the whole thing reminded me why i decided to quit my private sector career: my highest use is influencing people's minds.
..
i went straight from cis to ddb, our ad agency, to discuss their proposed concepts for our tv commercial campaign. we decided to do two ads: one will be shocking and visceral -- based on breathing and, well, er, not breathing. the other concept will be much more cinematic, scripted and acted. artistry, ingenuity and originality are even more difficult and, yet, more important, in this area.... we also have to take much more responsibility for our imagery. "what if a 4 year old is watching?" these questions never used to come up when i was photographing completely transparent blouses on bra-less 20 year old models...
...
i'm happy to report that looking back over the past week, we've managed to sign up one of hk's biggest movie stars to front our ad campaign and signed up one of hk's biggest shopping mall developers. 40% of hong kong passes through their malls. ZOUNDS! one of hk's most prominent restauranteurs has also decided to conduct a major PR stunt/campaign for us, details to be hammered out shortly. it's all good in CANland -- at least for the next forty-eight hours, until it starts all over again.
...
now if i could just get back to sleep....
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
yesterday was nothing short of insane.
my day included lunch with one of the world's only masters of wine and ended with the official media dinner for business of design week at the w hotel.
in between,i managed to sandwich in participation at a swire focus group on sustainability, a meeting with the asiapac head of interactive media for intel and speaking at web wednesday. unfortunately, i consumed alcohol at the last three events, accounting for why i woke up at 5 am this morning! luckily, my biggest travail of today will be media training by hill & knowlton.
...
at the swire focus group, which saw representation from wwf, green power, friends of the earth, clear the air and designing hong kong, among other groups, the same point was made again and again: in a city such as hong kong, the tipping point IS the private sector. without corporate leadership and vision, we cannot substantively progress the cause of the environment. all too often, the reticence of business is caused by the mistaken perception that, the interests of the various stakeholders are NOT aligned. but reality and our own advocacy has demonstrated that, in fact, this conflict is illusory, yet one which the government continues to perpetuate. it is a perverse but presumably age-old habit which causes government to assume that environmental regulation is a zero sum question for society -- where business MUST lose out if the environment is to gain? this thinking, so outmoded, no doubt persists from the era of nascent environmentalism (the 1960s) when green business was thought to be an outre conceit of hippies and radicals! of course, the opposite is true and it is the practices of a company such as swire which demonstrate that green business is really the only sensible, profitable business these days if one wants to flourish in today's fiercely competitive global economy where energy efficiency and green values are central building blocks of brand and shareholder value. all that said, it is the civic responsibility of a huge company such as swire to weigh in forcefully on the pros and cons of green business during this crucial time when, for the first time, the government is about to tighten hk's air quality management policy. i was happy to hear that,in fact, swire HAD submitted a statement to the government during the public consultation. now, whether its submission had teeth or not... that's a different matter. one thing is certain though, business, government and green groups are NOT THINKING at cross-purposes when it comes to hk's air quality. on the other hand, the OUTWARD BEHAVIOR of hk business - continued reticence and toadying to the government -- probably belies its actual commitment to sustainable business development. that the government seems to insist on perpetuating the misconception that business interests and the environment are adversarially aligned, obviously reinforces this pernicious dynamic. NGOs can only help to break this impasse. what is genuinely required is true leadership and vision from the companies which are the pillars of hong kong's economy.
....
my day included lunch with one of the world's only masters of wine and ended with the official media dinner for business of design week at the w hotel.
in between,i managed to sandwich in participation at a swire focus group on sustainability, a meeting with the asiapac head of interactive media for intel and speaking at web wednesday. unfortunately, i consumed alcohol at the last three events, accounting for why i woke up at 5 am this morning! luckily, my biggest travail of today will be media training by hill & knowlton.
...
at the swire focus group, which saw representation from wwf, green power, friends of the earth, clear the air and designing hong kong, among other groups, the same point was made again and again: in a city such as hong kong, the tipping point IS the private sector. without corporate leadership and vision, we cannot substantively progress the cause of the environment. all too often, the reticence of business is caused by the mistaken perception that, the interests of the various stakeholders are NOT aligned. but reality and our own advocacy has demonstrated that, in fact, this conflict is illusory, yet one which the government continues to perpetuate. it is a perverse but presumably age-old habit which causes government to assume that environmental regulation is a zero sum question for society -- where business MUST lose out if the environment is to gain? this thinking, so outmoded, no doubt persists from the era of nascent environmentalism (the 1960s) when green business was thought to be an outre conceit of hippies and radicals! of course, the opposite is true and it is the practices of a company such as swire which demonstrate that green business is really the only sensible, profitable business these days if one wants to flourish in today's fiercely competitive global economy where energy efficiency and green values are central building blocks of brand and shareholder value. all that said, it is the civic responsibility of a huge company such as swire to weigh in forcefully on the pros and cons of green business during this crucial time when, for the first time, the government is about to tighten hk's air quality management policy. i was happy to hear that,in fact, swire HAD submitted a statement to the government during the public consultation. now, whether its submission had teeth or not... that's a different matter. one thing is certain though, business, government and green groups are NOT THINKING at cross-purposes when it comes to hk's air quality. on the other hand, the OUTWARD BEHAVIOR of hk business - continued reticence and toadying to the government -- probably belies its actual commitment to sustainable business development. that the government seems to insist on perpetuating the misconception that business interests and the environment are adversarially aligned, obviously reinforces this pernicious dynamic. NGOs can only help to break this impasse. what is genuinely required is true leadership and vision from the companies which are the pillars of hong kong's economy.
....
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