Teresa Au is in a position where her job requires her to be at the forefront of socially responsible actions. Outside of work, she is also keen to lead her friends and family towards a greener and more active lifestyle
Everybody has responsibility to take care of the environment. This is only natural to me. There has to be real leadership in bringing about a lifestyle movement. In my position it is important to champion it. And being a Climateer helps me set a good example to my colleagues, my family and friends. I am excited about the potential to reach out to other people from all walks of life.
It's not a pressure because I really am passionate about it. I just think it is everyone's responsibility. No matter how little you can do, it is still positive change. And it is essential that everyone at least take some sort of action. We can't all just say that it's too difficult to change. Every little help counts, and is worth it. My children inspire me, too. They are already conscious about environmental issue and really live what they believe in.
I tend to think this is rather new to Hong Kong, but not so much in our organisation as we have committed to carbon-neutrality therefore it is essential that all our colleagues are aware of the issue and get educated about climate change. I think I am really lucky to be in this position to work on climate change now. 2-3 years ago it was so much more difficult to motivate change. Now the concept of carbon footprint, along with the tool (the carbon calculator) for Hong Kong in place to help us quantify our efforts, help to make action more interesting and meaningful.
In fact I have taken fewer business flights over the past year than usual! Unfortunately this coming year I may need to fly to quite a number of Asia-Pacific countries for regional meetings. But we already do regular teleconferencing and I will try to use it more often. At home the whole family consciously try to conserve energy and I take the public transport whenever possible.
Raising that matter at the owners' corporation meeting will be on my to-do list! Come to think of it we do not have recycling facilities either, so I'll push for that and it should help us reduce waste. I am also going to work on energy efficient cooking methods, do more steaming, poaching and less frying. I am also going to be actively getting friends and colleagues to become Climateers!
I think they will be receptive because this does not mean that I'm going to turn into a stoic and become anti-social. Instead this will be part of a whole healthier, happier lifestyle package-being greener I am also being more physically active and getting into a better shape. My friends can tell the difference =) and they know that Teresa is not the friend they invite on shopping sprees. Instead, whenever they like to exercise and explore nature, I will be their first contact!
Lots of interesting stories about other people's actions, about how they bring about positive changes to people around them, how happy they are, and what is it specifically that has enlightened them to action.
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