CUHK
News Centre
CUHK Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change Organises A Plastic Ocean: Screening and Forum
A Plastic Ocean: Screening and Forum was held on 21 April 2018 (Saturday), organised by the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MoCC) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). This award-winning documentary was produced by the Plastic Oceans Foundation and has been screened in over 60 countries. In the film, which was shot in more than 20 locations over a period of four years, a team of explorers and scientists reveal the devastating impact of plastic on the ocean and how plastic threatens marine life, human health and the overall ecosystem.
Officiating at the event were Prof. Gabriel Lau, Director of the Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability of CUHK, Ms Jo Ruxton, Producer of A Plastic Ocean, Dr Patrick Yeung, Project Manager (Marine) of WWF-Hong Kong, Prof. Joe Lee, Director of the Simon F. S. Li Marine Science Laboratory of CUHK and Prof. Chan King-ming, Director of the Environmental Science Programme at CUHK. The event was supported by WWF-Hong Kong and the Campus Planning and Sustainability Office of CUHK. A forum moderated by Prof. Joe Lee was held after the screening. Ms Jo Ruxton, Dr Patrick Yeung and Prof. Chan King-ming shared with the audience their views on plastic pollution and proposed effective ways to tackle the problem.
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue in Hong Kong. Plastic waste discarded in landfills in Hong Kong has surged by more than 25% over the past decade and is now the third largest source of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong after food and paper.
To increase public awareness of the importance of waste reduction and management, the MoCC launched the first-ever school-based ‘Waste Reduction Project’ last year. An award ceremony was held during the event to recognise the outstanding performance of partner schools and students in waste reduction. The ‘Waste Reduction Project’ is now open for applications. For details, please visit: http://www.mocc.cuhk.edu.hk/en-gb/waste-reduction-project-m.
About Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change
The Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (the Trust), was established in December 2013 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). It is the first museum of its kind in the world, offering an interactive, multimedia exhibition that showcases valuable collections and information about climate change. It is the ideal venue for the public, especially students and teachers, to champion the cause of environmental stewardship and keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in environmental conservation and sustainability. The Museum has attracted nearly 300,000 visitors since its inception.
In 2017, the Trust pledged its support for a three-year initiative of the Museum: ‘JC–CUHK Climate Action’. During the next three years, the Museum will run a variety of environmental education activities to help the people of Hong Kong better understand the potentially devastating effects of climate change, to suggest innovative solutions, and to engage in climate action.
More details about the Museum can be found at http://www.mocc.cuhk.edu.hk/.
Ms Jo Ruxton, Producer of A Plastic Ocean
From left: Prof. Joe Lee, Director of the Simon F. S. Li Marine Science Laboratory of CUHK, Ms Jo Ruxton, Producer of A Plastic Ocean, Dr Patrick Yeung, Project Manager (Marine) of WWF-Hong Kong, and Prof. Chan King-ming, Director of the Environmental Science Programme at CUHK, shared with the audience their views on plastic pollution at the post-screening forum.
Prof. Gabriel Lau, Director of the Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability of CUHK, presented awards to partner schools and students of the ‘Waste Reduction Project’.
The event attracted nearly 200 participants, including faculty, staff, alumni, students and the general public.
A mini-carnival with exhibits from MoCC’s ‘Mobile Museum’ and green game booths was held before the screening.
To promote the message of ‘Bring Your Own’ and the ‘UNIfy: Skip the Straw’ joint-university movement, free drinks were distributed to participants who brought their own cups/bottles.
