2007 has seen the climate change issue pushed to the top of the international agenda. In Hong Kong, the changes so far have been gradual such as more hot days in summer and less cold days in winter. Elsewhere, more dramatic evidence of climate change can be found. Our Climate Ambassador, leading Hong Kong singer-songwriter Chet Lam, recently visited northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to understand how climate change has affected the local environment and people.

　　Chet Lam has always been a keen follower of environmental issues, but his trip with us to Xinjiang really opened his eyes to the importance of the relationship between humans and their environment. During the trip, Chet visited the Tian Shan Glacier, 120 kilometres from the region’s capital, Urumqi, to witness and understand glacial retreat and to find out how climate change has impacted villagers in Tulufan district. Chet also visited a wind farm in Daban to learn how switching to renewable energy solutions like wind power, can help to stop climate change.

Nature’s beauty is fading away

　　“I’ve always been aware of the problem of glacial melting. This trip allowed me to see these stunning glaciers for myself and to comprehend the reality. Tian Shan’s Glacier #1 is already in a critical state. I learnt from our guide that the east and west tributaries are supposed to be connected. But due to climate change they began to move apart 30 years ago, and the gap has now increased to 100 metres. The glacier has also been decreasing in area and the melting has accelerated even more over the past two years! There used to be a thick glacier behind me, but as you can see, only rocks and pebbles are left. This spectacular and beautiful global moderator is deteriorating. Stepping on to the glacier, I could feel elements of life slowly falling apart…” Chet explains in a despairing voice.

　　Chet also visited villages in Tulufan district, where a combination of overgrazing and climate change has caused record droughts, which have aggravated the spread of desertification in the region. As a result, underground wells are drying up, leaving the villagers struggling for water to drink and for irrigating their farmlands. This struggle for water directly affects their income and their livelihood.

　　 The impacts of climate change on Hong Kong might not be as noticeable and significant as those Chet witnessed in Xinjiang but the 1-2°C average rise in temperature is global and this is what’s causing glaciers like Tian Shan and those in the Himalayas and on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau to melt. There is scientific consensus that if we can’t keep the global average temperature increase below 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) the world will experience even more dangerous extreme weather events, drastic water shortages, mass-extinctions and hundreds of millions of desperate climate refugees.

What can we do?

　　A lot of people question whether we have the power to make a difference. Chet shares his thoughts on this matter, “A lot of people do not understand how simple actions such as turning off a light and walking instead of driving, could make a difference to save the planet. I now understand that every extra bit of energy we use needlessly, causes another natural beauty to vanish. If only we could learn to value our resources, we would have many more choices in the future.”

　　The development of our economy, society and the way we live requires more energy than ever before. However, we do not have to risk our future and destroy our planet by burning fossil fuels to meet this energy demand.

　　Xinjiang boasts China’s best wind resources. Chet visited Daban Wind Farm, China’s first. Apart from the beautiful sight of 300 large wind turbines rotating majestically, the power they generate emits zero CO2 and is infinite. Unlike traditional fossil fuels that produce trillions of tonnes of climate destroying CO2, wind power, other renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures have the ability to stop global warming.

Are you willing to take the first step?

　　Chet’s trip led him to examine the society we live in. “City people have all been spoiled. We have all the resources in our hands, but we ignore the damage the environment is suffering as a result. This trip has made me realise what a special gift nature is. While we are satisfied with economic growth the environment is on the verge of breaking down. Is this what we as humans desire? I believe, beginning today; that we should all set a good example by adopting more environmentally friendly lifestyles in order to publicly advertise this important message. We can all take the first small simple step by replacing traditional light bulbs with energy saving ones. As they use 1/5th of the energy, this action multiplied millions of times will help to stop climate change.”

Share photos of Chet Lam’s journal

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