Nuclear accident induced by massive earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima, Japan has raised the world’s awareness towards nuclear safety. In the evening of May 10th, Friends of the Earth (HK), Green Point Environmental Education Centre and Zhongshan University Environmental Protection Association have co-organized the 17th anniversary of Green Pathfinders Forum with the theme “Development of Green Technologies”. Professor Jimmy Yu Chai-mei, the Associate Dean of General Education of Chinese University of Hong Kong, was invited to be the guest speaker. The forum was held in Zhongshan University, with active participation of groups of students as well as different NGOs and green groups.

 

Mrs. Mei Ng, the director of Friends of the Earth (HK) and the chairman the China Affairs Committee awarded the “UN Global Top 500” hosted the forum throughout the night. Mrs. Ng and Professor Yu shared their views on the development of green technologies in the post-nuclear era. The world is overwhelmed with anxiety after the occurrence of Japanese nuclear crisis. Nevertheless, Professor Yu tried to comfort the audience by proving radiation might not be necessarily harmful to human health. He used a radiation detector to show that radiation is in fact everywhere and our bodies actually possess a self-repairing mechanism that helps us to withstand light nuclear pollution. In order to solve the energy problem, Professor Yu insisted that green technology would be a way out.

 

Renewable energies like solar power and wind power were later discussed by Mrs. Ng and Professor Yu when they shared they views on the application of green technologies in the future. Mrs Ng also suggested several creative ideas such as using moon or vibration to generate power, which amazed Professor Yu and the audiences. “Be courageous enough to raise new ideas and assumptions!” Professor Yu encouraged the students. By citing the case of Taipei’s success in reducing domestic solid waste, Professor Yu explained how University students could apply green technologies and the availability of job opportunities in the green technology industry. Audiences raised questions actively with reference to the spectacular sharing of both speakers.

 

Besides sharing of guests, the university students also tried to express their views on environmental issues through an English drama, “We have only one earth”. The students wished to bring out the message that there is urgency for the world to be aware of environmental problems and to take immediate remedial actions.

 

The 17th Green Pathfinders Forum was undertaken by the Zhongshan University Environmental Protection Association. Meanwhile, the media and different NGOs as well as green groups such as All-China Environmental Federation, Guangdong Environmental Protection Foundation, Bike Guangzhou, Green Stone, China Mangrove Conservation Network, International Centre for Communication Development Limited and Rockefeller Brothers Fund have attended the forum.