Experiencing Air We Breathe- Public Health Dialogue...
Bimalka, January 2009

During month of January, I participate for the “Air We Breathe” Conference at Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Wan Chai which was organized by “Civic Exchange”, one of the reputed NGO’s in Hong Kong and funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Actually this conference held for two days; first day for the officials to discussed regional air pollution issues with Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan and second day for the public dialogue which I participate. Theme of the conference was to focus the air pollution debate on health-based facts and science; what policies do the government and the public need to adopt project public health for this and future generations. Crowd of around 500 people attended for the conference.

“Air We Breathe” is a very farmiler term to Sri Lanka, as we are having “Air that We Breath” National Symposium every one and half year’s time since 2004 to bridge the gap between policy makers and researches. I met Sophie and May from CAI-Asia at the "Air We Breathe" Conference and I was really happy to meet Sophie after 2007 "Air that we Breathe Third National Symposium" in Sri Lanka. I'm thankful to Prof. Wingtat for informing me in-advance to get register and participate. This conference was really good and I had a chance to learn many new concepts including excellent conference format that will help to improve our conferences in return. Hope we can organize "Air that we Breathe Fourth National Symposium" in Sri Lanka when I return in Nov. 2009.

Ms Susan from Bloomberg news gave a dynamic presentation explaining exactly where Hong Kong’s air quality stands with facts on public health and air quality levels. Actually if you look at Hong Kong’s Air quality with AQO values it is not so bad, however comparisons with WHO guidelines shows that in all cases it excesses the guideline values and highlighted the importance of review in the AQO’s which has published in 1987 in Hong Kong. This makes the audience to act more lively and express their suggestions.

The Hedley Environmental Index (the Index), the world’s first website to quantify the external public health and monetary costs of air pollution in real-time was launched. This grate invention was done by Prof. Tony Hedley who is a leading public health researcher at the University of Hong Kong. Mr. Edwin Lau, Director, Friends of the Earth (HK) ran a demonstration of the Index.

There was a session to look at different policies that have been implemented overseas. For this several experts from Beijing (Prof. Zhu Tong- Peking University), Bangkok (Prof. Nuntavarn Vichit- Vadakan- Thammasat University), California (Dr. Alan Lloyd- President of the International Council on Clean Transportation and Dr. Judy Chow- Atmosphere Scientist at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada), Europe (Mr. Anders Wijkman- Member of the European Parliament) were gathered and shared their experiences and looked at what could Hong Kong learn from them.

Delegates and experts gathered in small groups and discussed on four main topics: reduction of health risk and regional sources of air pollution; address local sources of air pollution; improve the dialogue on air pollution. I join with a small group discussion on issues addressed on local sources of air pollution. I felt that small group discussions are more effective and productive and every one of us has chance to express our selves. In my group there were mixture of European and Chinese representatives and it was a great experience for me to listen to air pollution problems and solutions suggested by local community of Hong Kong.

International expert, Professor Ross Anderson gave a presentation on applying the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to Hong Kong. Prof. Anderson is based at ST George’s University of London and has been a member of the major WHO committees dealing with health and pollution. Most importantly, this conference provided an opportunity for delegates to discuss the issues with local and global experts and to propose solutions for Hong Kong to a panel of stakeholders that included Secretary for the Environment, Hon. Edward Yau and Legislators Hon. Audrey Eu. Representatives from the Government and community heard short presentations outlining delegates’ solutions. Importance in this session was Hong Kong Youth representation and how lively they present to Secretary for the Environment, Hon. Edward Yau. This conference is one of the best conferences that I have attended.