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Joanne Ooi
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ABOUT CREATIVITY AND WHY IT DOESN'T FLOURISH IN HK

  1. How can governments nurture a spirit of innovation?

Governments need to provide cheap space and resources in order for artists to pursue their vocation full time. Art and creativity require a high degree of risk-taking and trailblazing. Recognition and reward are never overnight. For example, rents in Hong Kong severely penalize commercial uncertainty, making it very difficult for would-be artists to hang out their shingle and do something unprecedented and daring.

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almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

ABOUT CREATIVITY AND WHY IT DOESN'T FLOURISH IN HK

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

Fast Facts about HK's commercial diesel fleet (buses & trucks)

90% of HK's 11 million daily passenger trips are via public transport, making HK a leader in transport modal efficiency.

HK's commercial diesel fleet is responsible for 90% of RSPs (i.e. suspended particulates smaller than 10 micrometers that can penetrate deep into the lungs)

The commercial diesel fleet is estimated to account for 70% of all vehicle distance traveled in HK.

20% of all Singapore's buses (860 of 4353) are Euro IV or above, compared to on...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

BREAKFAST WITH THE EPD

On Friday, I met with senior officials from the EPD. In brief, there were three takeaways, based on our exchange of notes. Whereas I reported on our campaign's progress, the EPD gave me an update on the status of the Government's 19 abatement initiatives:

1) The Government won't propose a subsidy to enable the passage of its 19-measure abatement package until it receives a "clear signal from the public" that the latter is ready to share some of the cost AND insists on contribution from all stakeholders, i...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED SMOKY VEHICLE SPOTTER

SO many people ask me all the time, how can I become a smoky vehicle spotter? Or how can I report smoky vehicles to the EPD?

On the latter question: you can report smoky vehicles to the epd, but unless you are a REGISTERED spotter, the epd has no obligation to follow up your complaint. So, then, the first question becomes even more relevant. In order to become a spotter, you must attend an official govt training session. There is approximately one four-hour chinese language saturday morning session a...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  1 comments  0 shares

THAT WAS FUN!

Despite asphyxiation from all the real-life testing on the curb, EPD's smoky vehicle spotter training was incredibly interesting and informative. Thanks to the encyclopedic knowledge and engaging personality of SM Wong, EPD's Chief Environmental Protection Inspector, who conducted the training, I learned a boatload of new facts, such as:

how a 4-stroke diesel engine actually works; (Despite spending every waking hour of my life branding diesel commercial vehicles the main public health culprit of hk's streets, I finally lea...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

SMOKY VEHICLE SPOTTING

I am now waiting at the EMSD in Kowloon Bay to begin smoky vehicle spotter training. A few weeks ago, I requested a meeting with the EPD to discuss WHY it takes 4 hours to train a smoky vehicle spotter.

Since beginning my work at CAN, it has become obvious that the NUMBER ONE thing people want to do when they ask, "How can I get involved?", is report vehicles with filthy tailpipe emissions. Thus, in an effort to get more people involved with the city's air pollution clean-up, it made sense to understand and, even...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

Thank GOD green business is good business!

Let's be perfectly honest, in a money-obsessed city like HK, can there be ANY other reason for business to adopt cleaner technologies?

Take the three examples cited by Jared Diamond in his editorial this week for the IHT -- Walmart, Coke, and Chevron. Main point: being environmental isn't just good PR, but a more efficient way to utilize and extract the dwindling natural resources which are indispensable product and manufacturing inputs.

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almost 15 years ago 0 likes  1 comments  0 shares

CAN'T SLEEP

because there are too many good things happening!

...

i underwent media training at hill & knowlton on friday. what a hoot! the experience proved that i look about as welcoming as the grim reaper. MORE SMILINESS REQUIRED. this has been a life-long problem which, in static photos, i've managed to overcome, but not when a camera is trained on my face. what was much more important though was discovering that our campaign manager, Sum,is fantastic on camera -- engaging, amiable, and articulate, with commitment and passio...Read more

almost 15 years ago 0 likes  1 comments  0 shares

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

yesterday was nothing short of insane.

my day included lunch with one of the world's only masters of wine and ended with the official media dinner for business of design week at the w hotel.

in between,i managed to sandwich in participation at a swire focus group on sustainability, a meeting with the asiapac head of interactive media for intel and speaking at web wednesday. unfortunately, i consumed alcohol at the last three events, accounting for why i woke up at 5 am this morning! luckily, my biggest travail of...Read more

about 15 years ago 0 likes  0 comment  0 shares

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Languages Spoken
english
Location (City, Country)
Hong Kong
Gender
female
Member Since
August 24, 2007