With rising sea level and more frequent extreme weathers, the impacts of climate change on our planet are imminent and they even threaten the existence of many communities. It seems, however, that many counties have awakened to the severity of climate change effects only in recent years. The Convener and Secretary of “350 Hong Kong”, Dr Eddy Lee and Mr Michael Lai, were invited as guest speakers for the InnoFriday Talk held on 23 October. “Global Climate March” was the focus of this talk and our guest speakers told the audience what they have done to draw attention from government officials and heighten the awareness of Hong Kong residents on the urgent need for more proactive climate actions. Divestment was another focus of their talk. The audience was briefed on the current trends of how some global investors have been boycotting the fossil fuel industries.

Dr Eddy Lee suggested a framework of four dimensions to mitigate the climate change crisis --  the “Behavior-Fix” aiming to change human behavior; the “Technology-Fix” counting on technological advancements; the “Policy-fix” lobbying for government policy changes; and the “Market-Fix” inserting influences on market decisions. Dr Lee pointed out that Hong Kong has always over-relied on market decisions and policy options to tackle climate change are lacking. For instance, Hong Kong does not have any concrete measures to reduce the use of fossil fuels nor to promote the use of renewable energy. In a capitalist society, government intentions to fight climate change can easily be impeded by big businesses threatening to withdraw their investments. But the wind has changed these days and some global investors have already started to divest from their traditional investment portfolios due to environmental concerns. Examples included the national pension fund of Sweden and funds of some tertiary institutions and local governments in Europe and the US. It is a pity that such divestment trends have not prevailed in Hong Kong yet but our speakers hoped that investment bodies in Hong Kong can have the foresight of following suit soon.

Lastly, Dr Lee and Michael Lai spoke on the progress of organizing the “Global Climate March” in Hong Kong. They called on the people of Hong Kong to join a similar demonstration march to be held on 29 November in order to show support to this global event. The march will start at Central Piers and end at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai.  Many social and political celebrities have already pledged to join, including Mr Lam Chiu Ying and Mr Leung Wing Mo, ex-Director and ex-Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Legislative Councillors the Hon Lee Cheuk-yan and the Hon Cyd Ho, veteran journalists Stephen Shiu Yeuk-yuen, Lau Tin-chi, Leila Chan Hiu Lui and Susanna Cheung Chui-yung, as well as the Consul General of France in Hong Kong. More information regarding this march can be found from the organisation’s webpage.

We welcome people from all walks of life to join us as “InnoTeam” members and take part in our activities and discussions on issues of climate change and sustainability. Simply register your contact details with us here. Your voice and views are important to build a more livable and sustainable Hong Kong.