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To celebrate the third anniversary of the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MoCC), and supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the museum collaborated for the first time with the Environment Bureau of the HKSAR Government to present a new play in The Drama of Climate Change series. Mr. Tong Chi-keung, Donald, JP, Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection of the HKSAR Government, Ms. Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Grant Making – Elderly, Rehabilitation, Medical, Environment & Family) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and Prof. Fok Tai-fai, SBS, JP, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), officiated at the preview at ZCB (Zero Carbon Building) in Kowloon Bay today (15 December). Members of the audience included representatives from environmental organizations and tertiary institutions, as well as students and teachers of Man Kiu Association Primary School.

The Drama of Climate Change is produced and performed by the renowned Chung Ying Theatre Company (Chung Ying). The last two plays in The Drama of Climate Change series were performed in about 80 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, reaching an audience of about 14,000. The overwhelming response from schools led to the third play in the series. In response to “Climate Ready@HK”, the play aims to encourage students to think about and react to climate change and related environmental issues. The performances are crafted with actor-audience interactions, inspiring students to take action to develop a low-carbon lifestyle and to work together to reinforce Hong Kong’s resilience in combating climate change. The new drama tour will take place between February and May 2017, reaching more than 10,000 students and teachers.

Mr. Tong Chi-keung, Donald, Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection, pointed out that the problem of climate change is not too remote from us; rather, it is imminent. The entry into force of the Paris Agreement on 4 November 2016 was a milestone for international cooperation to combat climate change. Like other world cities, Hong Kong has responded to climate change through mitigation, adaptation and enhancing our resilience. The Steering Committee on Climate Change chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, is drawing up an enhanced climate change work plan and will set a carbon reduction target for 2030 in the coming months.

Ms. Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Grant Making – Elderly, Rehabilitation, Medical, Environment & Family) of HKJC, said the Trust had long been a committed proponent of environmental protection. In 2012, the Trust worked with CUHK to launch CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia (Gaia), which aimed at enhancing people’s understanding of how climate change affected the world and encouraging them to lead a green life. A key element of Gaia, Ms. Chan noted, was the MoCC. Through an interactive theatre-in-education programme of the MoCC, the Jockey Club hoped to encourage students to take up the responsibility to protect the earth.

Prof. Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, said that the University was committed to building a sustainable campus and to promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction. He thanked the Government, including the Environment Bureau and the Education Bureau, the Jockey Club, academia, green industries and other relevant organizations for their support for the museum over the past three years. He added that the MoCC will continue to enhance public awareness of climate change through a wide range of community events and themed exhibitions in order to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong.

A student of Man Kiu Association Primary School said, ‘The Drama of Climate Change has enhanced my knowledge in climate change, and I have learned new ways to reduce my carbon footprint.’

CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia

CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia is a five-year community-engagement programme, launched in 2012 by CUHK, with a generous donation of HK$70 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. In support of Gaia’s commitment to paving the way to a sustainable future for Hong Kong, the programme’s aim is to promote environmental conservation and sustainability in local communities, through public education and carbon reduction partnerships with schools and non-governmental organisations.

The first of its kind in the world, the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change (MoCC), maintained by Gaia, is open to the public with free admission. The MoCC showcases the ‘Three Poles’ (the North Pole, the South Pole and Mount Everest) collection of renowned Hong Kong explorer Dr Rebecca Lee, innovative research on the environment, energy and sustainability initiated by CUHK, and the Jockey Club’s initiatives to promote green living in the community.

More details of the MoCC can be found at www.gaia.cuhk.edu.hk/MoCC.