Here is a followup to the post “Donald Tsang is a liar” where I argued that pollution has been increasing since 1997 and not decreasing as Tsang once claimed.
From Hong Kong air pollution worst since records began
The number of hours for which street-level pollution exceeded the danger level in some of the city’s busiest districts rose by 14 percent in 2008, according to Environmental Protection Department figures.
The department said air pollution levels in the three main shopping and business districts were dangerous for more than 2,000 hours last year — the highest figure since it began taking roadside recordings in 2000.
I just wonder now if the financial crisis is going to help the problem or worsening it. Factories all across the Pearl River Delta are closing down due the crisis and other events—including a change in mainland’s economic policy for the region. So that should be good for reducing pollution. However, more financial pressure on the whole region may also mean more people cutting corners (e.g. using the cheapest, dirtest fuel) and less government money to support environmental policies. So it’s not really clear either way.
