IMPACT OF INDUSTRIALISATION AND URBANISATION ON ENVIRONMENTEssay questions

AL-2005

With reference to the Hong Kong SAR, describe the impact of smog on the local economy. Discuss how rapid urbanization and industrialization of the Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta region have contributed to the recent formation of smog in Hong Kong. Evaluate measures taken by the relevant authorities to alleviate the problem of cross-border air pollution.

IMPACT OF SMOG ON LOCAL ECONOMY

Reducing visibility in turn affecting navigation and air transport

Adding a psychological blackspot for the city in the minds of investors and tourists

Making plants more susceptible to disease, pests and environmental stresses

Affecting health, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory and cardiac conditions

Increasing in medical expenses, loss of working time due to illnesses, absenteeism

FORMATION OF SMOG

Rapid industrialization and urbanization in ZRD

Great demand for power due to Higher income level and living standard Higher no. of vehicles Prosper industrial activities

Increase electricity production from coal-burning plants

Frequent cross-border traffic Frequent smog results from high

concentration of SO (London-type) and Nox and vapour (LA-type)

OTHER FACTORS LEADING TO SMOG

Climatic factors Temperature inversion Strong sunlight Light northerly winds Urban heat island effect

Local factors Prevailing winds carry pollutants from power

plants in HK to urban areas VOC emissions Topography of NW New Territories Heavy road traffic in urban areas

MEASURES

Introduction of sulphur-free and less polluting biofuel for cross-border vehicles

Restirct the entry of dirty-fuel vehicles across the border

Reduce motor vehicle emissions through speeding up the tightening of motor fuel and vehicle emission standards in PRDR

Regional cooperation is essential Tradable emission credits scheme

AL-2005 In some large cities, support for the

strategies of converting municipal solid waste into industrial raw materials has come from entrepreneurs, environmental groups, individuals and the governments.

Why is it desirable to promote the strategies of converting municipal solid waste into industrial raw materials? Citing examples, discuss how these strategies may affect the location of industries using these materials. What difficulties may be encountered by industrialists should these strategies be implemented?

REASONS FOR THE NEED TO CONVERT SOLID WASTE TO RM

Depletion of raw materials in the future Competition for raw materials may result in

higher cost of production Lots of municipal solid waste contain

valuable recycling materials Enables business and community

sustainability Creates more jobs in the long run Helps to solve environmental problems

caused by waste disposal

IMPACT ON INDUSTRIAL LOCATION

Move to large urban areas with largest amount of MSW due to Higher living standard Better community education work

Move to designated areas due to Government incentives to integrate contracts for

waste and recycling services More capital for the setting up of recycling

industries Move to break-of-bulk points where local and

overseas solid waste can be available

DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED

Increase cost of production Complicated procedures in collecting solid

wates, sorting and refining Recycled RM are usually more expensive High cost of changing industrial techniques Supply of RM may not be stable and reliable Quality of RM may not be guaranteed Hazardous waste may be incorporated and

thus lowering of the quality of finished products

AL-2001

Greening of a city is the process of building a clean city from the viewpoint of energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental protection.

What are the possible benefits of greening a city? Discuss and explain the conditions favouring the greening process. Evaluate the possibilities and difficulties in achieving the purpose of greening in Hong Kong.

POSSIBLE BENEFITS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY using high level of insulation, high performance

windows, and tight construction in cold regions, double window glazing can help to

save energy design buildings to use renewable energy like solar

heating and natural cooling. Solar water heating can save a lot of energy

it can reduce the use of energy consumption. Everyone inside the green city will try to minimize the energy consumption like switch off unused lights, air-conditioners etc.

people will travel by mass transport systems e.g. buses, trains. In this way, a lot of energy will be saved. There will be no more problem of energy crisis.

high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment can be installed

high-efficiency lights and appliances can also be installed

POSSIBLE BENEFITS ON RESOURCE CONSERVATION

water-conserving toilets and showerheads reduce water use

avoid excessive packaging, such as plastic-wrapped plumbing fixtures in building the city

buildings should be located to provide access to public transportation, bicycle paths, walking access to basic services

POSSIBLE BENEFITS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

planting hedge rows and shrubs can block cold winter winds or help channel cool summer breezes into buildings

use durable products and materials in building because they contribute less to solid waste problems

the greening of a city involves the growing of different types of vegetation.

FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR GREENING Land conditions

There should be a new land on which large scale town planning can start on or an already existing land on which town planning can be started bit by bit.

Social conditions Citizens should be educated and have knowledge on environmental

protection. They should be willing to take actions. Political conditions

The government should be stable enough to undertake any reform concerning the environment. If there is political instability, the government will be busy to tackle problems like negotiation with other countries. There will be no time and effort to do anything for the goodness of the environment.

Economic conditions The city should be rich enough to promote the greening idea because

many facilities involve cost like installation of energy-efficient heating & cooling equipment.

planting of trees and flowers also involve money promoting the idea of greening through mass media requires

considerable expenditure Other conditions

The greening process also requires the support of infrastructure like public transportation.

POSSIBILITIES AND DIFFICULTIES OF GREENING IN HONG KONG Possibilities vacant land available

e.g. in Northern District, Kai Tak

the process has advantages e.g. building houses for the public.

acceptable costs Hong Kong is rather

politically stable There is laissez faire in

HK so private developers have more freedom.

Difficulties social unrest if land

needs to be given back to government

HK is a small place, so not enough land for redevelopment e.g. Wanchai, Yau Ma Tei

Poor environmental concern for the public

HK still has a lot of unemployment, so government should tackle this problem first, not only environmental problems.

CCSC MOCK 2009 Air and water are two important elements of

sustenance. As a result of affluence, growth and technology, a city generates more waste or residuals than the government can handle. Pollution of air and water poses a recognized problem.

With reference to Zhujiang Delta Region, discuss how urbanization and industrialization will cause pollution of air and water and their impact on the environment. Explain why the HKSAR government would seek the cooperation of neighbouring regions in solving these problems.

EVIDENCE OF AIR AND WATER POLLUTION IN PRD

rapid urbanization and industrialization leads to the formation of large cities in the PRD, e.g. Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Zhuhai

over-concentration of population and economic activities creates lots of environmental

problems which are evident by no. of smoky days with low visibility, high quantity of suspended particulates, formation of smog, high amount of bacteria in Shenzhen River and Zhu Jiang River

AIR POLLUTION IN PRD more air pollutants, e.g. carbon dioxides, sulfur oxides,

nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, photochemical oxidants, respirable suspended particulates, metal, other organic and inorganic compounds (VOC)

more fuel / energy consumption from automobiles, industrial activities, business activities

high population density, more high-rise buildings and narrow roads prevent the dispersal of air pollutants in the city

Urbanization causes great demand for land. City expands in the form of various urban development processes like suburbanization (setting up of new towns), urban encroachment and rural-urban migration. Land expansion is done by the cutting of trees, reclamation & cutting of slopes

Large reduction in the no. of trees and green areas means lowering the ability to absorb excessive carbon dioxide derived from industrial and urban activities and to regulate city temperature, causing air pollution and urban heat island effect

frequent cross-border traffic worsens the air quality as entry of dirty-fuel vehicles into northwest HK across the border is possible

WATER POLLUTION IN PRD

illegal dumping of wastes into the river is common some water-demanding industries are also water-

polluting industries, e.g. bleaching and dyeing factories, textile and clothing industries

water is used as cooling agent in manufacturing process but it causes thermal pollution

industrial development increases demand for sewage treatment facilities in the PRD, causing financial difficulties of local government

therefore, sewage is untreated and directly dumped into the river

occasional drought in the PRD also accelerates salt tide, causing retreat of seawater in the rivers

WHY IS REGIONAL COOPERATION NECESSARY? air and water pollution is not a local issue but a regional issue cross-border cooperation is necessary and more effective to

solve the air and water pollution problems as both governments should be responsible for the problems

environmental policies should be consistent to avoid double standard, e.g. the tightening of motor fuel and vehicle emission stardards in the PRD

some factories in the PRD are actually Hong Kong enterprises implementation of policies requires the cooperation between

Hong Kong and China, e.g. restrict the entry of dirty-fuel vehicles across the border

cross-border cooperation can facilitate technical exchanges and workshops on topics of air quality monitoring and pollution control between Hong Kong and China government officials

both areas can carry out tradable emissions credits scheme water quality in Shenzhen River can be improved by both

governments as it is located at the boundary between Hong Kong and China

water quality in China is important to Hong Kong due to import of drinking water from Dong Jiang to Hong Kong