Fun and interactive ways to attain a green lifestyle were on show today (23 April) at an environment fair organised by the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia.
Held at Metro City Plaza II in Tseung Kwan O, the Environment Fair & Museum of Climate Change Roadshow 2016 was officially opened by the Club’s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung; Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man; CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Gaia Steering Committee Chairman Professor Fok Tai-fai; Polar Museum Foundation Founder Dr Rebecca Lee; and CUHK Associate Vice-President Professor Fung Tung.
“The Trust has been actively promoting environmental protection. In order to encourage more citizens to live a greener life and to promote low-carbon living, we have supported many environmental community outreach programmes. For example, there will be a ‘Jockey Club Green-It-Yourself Programme’ launch next week. It will introduce healthy vegetarian recipes, green cooking and eating information to the public through a series of thematic videos,” said Mr Cheung. “The Trust will also support a ‘Walk 21’ forum, which will be held in Hong Kong for the first time in October to promote the benefits of walking and understanding of walking environment in the city.”
The theme of the two-day environment fair was ‘climate change and biodiversity’. Apart from enjoying interactive information and game booths, visitors to the fair learned about biodiversity and receive environment-friendly information from organisations such as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and New York-based R.A.R.E. (Rare Animals Really Endangered).
An original play presented by the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MoCC), The Drama of Climate Change, also had its first public performance at the fair. MoCC interns were invited to explain the concept of aquaponics (the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants in one integrated system) and to demonstrate the making of a simplified aquaponics system. In addition, the MoCC’s brand-new virtual tour of Climate Change was introduced, which will help further raise awareness of the importance of sustainable development.
The Jockey Club has long been a strong proponent of environmental protection, both through supporting external initiatives and setting an example in its own operations. The Jockey Club Initiative Gaia, funded by a HK$70 million Charities Trust donation to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is a five-year community engagement programme that includes the establishment of the MoCC, the first museum of its kind in Hong Kong. Located at the university, the MoCC features the “Three Poles” collection of renowned Hong Kong explorer Dr Rebecca Lee, information on the Trust’s contributions to environmental protection and details of research initiated by CUHK.
Another element of the project, the “Go Green Community – Jockey Club Carbon Reduction Partnership Scheme” is aimed at encouraging local schools and non-governmental organisations to reduce carbon emissions through carbon audits and the implementation of practical measures. Further details of the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia are available at www.gaia.cuhk.edu.hk.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record HK$3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.
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The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung says the Club has been actively promoting environmental protection. In order to encourage more citizens to live a greener life and to promote low-carbon living, the Club has supported many environmental community outreach programmes.
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Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Environment Fair & MoCC Roadshow 2016 are the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung (2nd right); Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (centre); CUHK Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Gaia Steering Committee Chairman Professor Fok Tai-fai (2nd left); Polar Museum Foundation Founder Dr Rebecca Lee (1st left); and CUHK Associate Vice-President Professor Fung Tung (1st right).
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Officiating guests tour the fair.
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Organised by the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia, the Environment Fair promotes green living to the public.
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