Choy So Yuk is one of the celebrities in town who registered as a Climateer in 2007. We interviewed her again in 2011 to get to know more about her experience in practicing low carbon living in the past three years.
"My family and I only wash our clothes by hand to save electricity and water. Except on the few coldest days, I normally take a cold water shower to reduce the carbon emissions generated from water heating. Originally, my mother and I had our own private toilet, and mine was switched to fresh water flushing after a renovation. However, when I learned that using sea water flushing is actually more low carbon, I stopped using that toilet immediately."
"I rarely switch on air-conditioning at home or at work. Even when I am on a business trip, I encourage my assistant to turn off the air-conditioning in the hotel room. I reuse and recycle all papers. Just now I found my assistant threw away some documents into the rubbish bin; I also took them back for recycling!"
"I need to go to Fujian with my mother from time to time, that's the major reason for my frequent air travel. However, once the railway to Fujian is available by the end of 2011, I will surely choose to go by train to reduce my carbon emissions. When I am in Hong Kong, I take public transport like the tram and bus as far as possible. I seldom drive my car now so I don't need to fuel up my car as often when compared to the past. I also work from home if possible too!"
"The public is much more aware of the issues on greenhouse gases, climate change and carbon reduction nowadays, while only a minority of green groups or legislative councilors cared about these topics in the past. However, as time goes by, we cannot see our government putting enough efforts in contributing to this subject along with the rise in social awareness. On the contrary, green campaigns are now mostly initiated by the community."
"After leaving the Legislative Council, I once worried if I can further contribute to environmental protection. However, I realize now that it is not your role that matters, if you are willing to, you can always contribute to our planet earth as a politician, CEO or even as a housewife! I calculate my carbon footprint not because I am the deputy of National People's Congress of China, but out of my own capacity as a responsible individual. My mother may even have a lower carbon footprint than mine, she is willing to work hard for the environment, and so can everyone else."
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