Hong Kong Environment and Weather
From typhoons to smog days, we cover the good and bad of Hong Kong’s environment and weather so you can prepare properly.
Lights Out in Hong Kong
Tonight’s the night for Hong Kong’s lights Out” campaign to focus attention on the deteriorating air quality in Hong Kong.
Not everyone is participating, though. Chief Executive Donald Tsang has opted out because he says it “could give adverse publicity to Hong Kong…” This means the Symphony of Lights will go on as usual at 8:00 PM.
Those participating will turn their lights out for three minutes at 8:00 PM in order to draw attention to the pollution issue in Hong Kong. I’m not sure that just stepping outside and taking a deep breath won’t do the job but activists will be …
Date: August 7th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #8
Get In or On the Water
It’s easy, in the urban crush, to forget that Hong Kong was, at one time, almost completely made up of small fishing communities. The sea is very much a part of Hong Kong’s history and its present.
Two months ago I posted an item on Hong Kong’s beaches and how much cleaner they were than 20 years ago. I’ve also talked about riding the ferries to see how much of Hong Kong’s commercial life depends on the sea. I’ve mentioned how interesting it is to ride the water taxis in Aberdeen harbor to get a sense of how the thousands of boat people live.
Hong Kong Water Sports Center
Date: July 8th, 2006 |
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Shopping and Pollution in Hong Kong
At the risk of sounding less than humble, I noticed in today’s South China Morning Post that there has been verification of what I wrote in two of my recent postings.
One headline stated, “Hong Kong the world champion at sport of shopping.” The article went on to point out that an ACNielson study found Hong Kong had the highest concentration of “recreational shoppers,” those who shop for entertainment rather than necessities. The percentage is an astounding 93%, tied with Indonesia for highest in Asia. The regional average was 84% compared with 68% in the U.S. As I said in my recent posting Hong Kong people would run away with a Shopping World Cup.
As a member of the 7% minority I am at a loss to understand why this is true. Perhaps some of you readers have an idea or two. Maybe people just want to get indoors and away from the air pollution.
Date: June 16th, 2006 |
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Hong Kong Versus Singapore - Summary
This is the last entry in the series.
Up to now it’s pretty much been a tie between the two cities. I haven’t said anything about economics because I’ve been retired for a few years. However, Hong Kong does appear to have an edge for businesses, especially manufacturing because of it being so near China. I know of a number of companies that have moved to Singapore because it is cheaper to do business and to live in Singapore than in Hong Kong. I’ve never followed up, though, to see if it’s true.
One area in which Singapore has a clear advantage is air pollution. The South China Morning Post, just today, quoted a study done by three Hong Kong Universities and a local think-tank that pegged the direct cost of pollution in Hong Kong at HK$2 Billion (US$260 Million) and 1600 lives a year. They estimate HK$19 Billion in indirect costs. To quote the late U.S. Senator Everett Dirkson, “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you’re talking real money.”
Pollution over Victoria Harbor
Date: June 9th, 2006 |
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Bring Your Umbrella and Your Deodorant to Hong Kong
After being narrowly missed by Typhoon Chanchu, we are experiencing a period of unsettled conditions as the weather people call it. This means 40mm of rain in the last 24 hours and 95% humidity. There’s more rain to come but it will eventually move on. The humidity will continue. I don’t expect much relief until October.
As the local joke goes, “I know Hell is hot but does it have Hong Kong’s humidity?”
Date: May 21st, 2006 |
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Back in Hong Kong: Missed the Chaos
Hong Kong was visited by a typhoon, Prapiroon, which threw the air traffic situation into total chaos. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or diverted. Thousands of people spent the night at the airport.
The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted a number 3 signal instead of a number 8. Their criteria had to do with the wind force at Victoria Harbor. So even though the winds did not reach 100 KMH there they were over 200 KMH at the airport. Times have changed since the current system was installed in 1917. Boats are not the major concern, anymore. In true bureaucratic fashion the Observatory said they acted just as they were supposed to without acknowledging that following the rules to the letter put people’s lives in danger and helped create a mess at Chek Lap Kok Airport.
Date: August 6th, 2006 |
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Pollution, Rent and Salaries in Hong Kong
In Sunday’s South China Morning Post I was not surprised to read that Western expatriates were asking for a premium to move to Hong Kong. This was particularly true if they were already based in Singapore.
Two reasons were given: pollution and high rents. Now that the SARS crisis has faded into a distant memory and the 1997 property price collapse is ancient history; rents, especially at the top end, are rising faster than a North Korean rocket. That is not even taking commercial and retail shop rents into account which are also moving up very fast.
Date: June 25th, 2006 |
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Hong Kong’s Pollution
As a follow-up to yesterday’s posting, I noticed in today’s South China Morning Post that much of Hong Kong’s polution is blown down the Pearl River Delta from Foshan.
Foshan is the home of hundreds of ceramic, cement and furniture factories spewing stuff into the atmosphere. There is little enforcement of the already weak air-quality laws.
Foshan Ceramics Factory
Date: June 9th, 2006 |
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Hong Kong Versus Singapore - Getting Around and Getting Along
Fourth in a continuing series.
There are just a few other comparisons between the two places that need to be made. One is the ease with which people can move around the city. Singapore has wide streets that make walking a pleasure. Hong Kong’s streets, on the other hand, are usually narrow and overcrowded. Strolling is difficult in the built up areas. It also seems as if the sidewalks and streets are constantly being torn up.
Tree Lined Lane in Singapore’s Chinatown
Date: June 8th, 2006 |
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Swimming to Hong Kong
In case you were planning to swim to Hong Kong instead of arriving by other means, you will be happy to know that the beaches of Hong Kong have improved to where you can actually swim in the water. I recommend, though, that you avoid Victoria Harbour as it continues to be polluted in spite of the efforts of the Pearl River and the tides to keep it clean.
When most people think of Hong Kong, they generally do not conjure up images of beautiful, pristine beaches. The truth is Hong Kong has some great, accessible, family friendly beaches. This has not always been the case. A recently released government study reports that the water quality at Hong Kong’s beaches has improved significantly in the last 20 years.
Date: May 19th, 2006 |
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