Nature's gift comes hand-in-hand with the
realisation that the most distant pacific island is
submerged in millions of pieces of microplastics.
As the Himalayan ice caps melt and the Amazon
burns, the talk is of climate emergency. Our very
ecosystem is under threat.
The Call from the Heart is to make all our
ecosystems sustainable.
From the air that we breathe, to the power stations that supply our
energy, the people who catch our fish, the infrastructure that ties us
together, and the hospitals which are at the heart of our healthcare
systems, we are in this together.
In Call from the Heart we examine sustainability from the perspectives of
energy provision, migrant workers, infrastructure funding, and healthcare
systems. We also carry a unique overview of sustainability as informed
by ancient Chinese thinking. Professor Chao-shiuan Liu, President of the
Foundation of Chinese Culture for Sustainable Development in Taiwan,
shows how The Wang Dao Sustainability Index, grounded in Confucianist
thinking can guide us towards sustainability in the modern world.
The most appropriate sustainable energy solutions will vary according
to local circumstances. From a Hong Kong perspective, Dr William
Chung argues that we can enjoy a sustainable, cleaner energy by relying
on natural gas whilst at the same time contributing to the greening of
the Belt and Road through carbon offsets and reforestation. By contrast,
Professor Chi-yuan Liang of the National Central University in Taiwan
examines the question as to whether Taiwan's nuclear-free vision is
feasible, arguing for a diminished role for coal, a modestly increased
future for renewables, alongside a continuing role for nuclear.
The Call from the Heart extends to the plight of migrant workers. We
hear a lot about blockchain's role enabling crypto currencies but much
less about how it might alleviate human suffering. Modern slavery by
Mark Blick, Head of Government Solutions at Diginex, demonstrates
how blockchain technology can enhance transparency in the labour
recruitment process especially across borders, and help end the scourge
of modern slavery.
In choosing to invest in green technologies, banks can play a crucial
role in supporting progressive infrastructure projects. In The green
economy transition, Alexander Plekhanov and Richard Jones of the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development show how green,
inclusive and resilient infrastructure projects are being funded across
Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Finally, closer to home, Dr Eman Leung follows The road less travelled
and brings heartening news of how CB's Theme-based Research Scheme
project on healthcare is helping provide more efficient and humane
systems to improve care of the elderly in Hong Kong.
A big thank you to all who entered our photo competition For a Better
World, and congratulations to our winner Boss Cheng whose "Dancing
turtle" can be found on our centre pages.
I do hope you enjoy this issue.
Houmin Yan
