Jockey Club encourages elderly to embrace green living

09/21/2013

Elderly people living in Wong Tai Sin are the focus for green living in the latest initiative under the Environment Project, initiated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The new Jockey Club Elderly Green Living Programme is a two-year education project being held in collaboration with the Mission Healthy Greens (MHG) to encourage seniors to take action for a greener community.

Supported by the Trust with HK$2.51 million funding, the programme was launched today (21 September) at an opening ceremony officiated by the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So; Wong Tai Sin District Council Vice Chairman Dr Wong Kam-chiu; Chairman of Food and Environmental Hygiene Committee of Wong Tai Sin District Council Ho Hon-man; Assistant District Officer (Wong Tai Sin) of Home Affairs Department Vivian Ma; MHG Honorary Consultant Dr Lau Wah-sum and Chairman Canice Mak as well as other guests.

Mr So said that the interactive programmes not only promote green living to the elderly, but also enable them to have a better understanding of environmental issues, in turn encouraging them to inspire their family members to develop low carbon lifestyles and join hands to build a greener community.

Mission Healthy Greens - Jockey Club Elderly Green Living Programme is one of the few environmental campaigns specially designed for elderly people in the community.  It comprises three components: Environment Education Programme for the Elderly; Green Living through Organic Farming, and Green Elderly Ambassador Programme.

A series of talks and workshops on major environmental issues and practical tips on carbon reduction are organised for the elderly.  Participants also pay visits to the MHG’s low carbon and energy-saving home demonstration centre and Eco-Park, so as to have a better understanding of environmental protection and how to apply green living to daily life with their family members.

In addition, the seniors are taught planting techniques and can practise at home using the planting materials provided by MHG, while those physically active can learn the essentials of organic farming and enjoy it at the farmland of the Eco-Park in Tseung Kwan O.  A group of them are trained as Green Elderly Ambassadors to provide assistance in the public education programmes, as well as support talks and experience sharing sessions for their peers in elderly homes.  It is expected over 75,000 people will benefit from this two-year programme.

Apart from supporting this programme, donations under the Environment Project have covered the Hong Chi Association’s Community Organic Farming Campaign, Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project, the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club and McDull present: Lower Carboni??Better Living project, as well as various international symposia and public forums.  To support environmental conservation, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course became the first in the world to deploy solar-powered golf carts throughout its entire fleet.  And to reduce carbon emissions, solar-hybrid catamarans have been brought in to carry passengers between Kau Sai Chau and Sai Kung pier.