In your view, what is the most important development issue facing this region (Hong Kong and southern China)? Justify your answer with examples.

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4. In your view, what is the most important development issue facing this region (Hong Kong and southern China)? Justify your answer with examples.

Over the past several years, Hong Kong and southern China has experienced an explosive economic growth, however, both place shows little concerns on the environmental sustainability especially towards air pollution. The market-driven, regulation-free approach left environment unprotected. There are countless examples of failed sustainability in Hong Kong and southern China.

Environmental well-being affects human health, Hong Kong's poor air quality is the main topic of conversation in town. Hong Kong has been facing two air pollution issues. One is local street-level pollution. The other is the regional smog problem. Hong Kong's main emission sources are power plants and vehicles. Diesel vehicles are the main source of street-level pollution. Smog, however, is caused by a combination of pollutants from motor vehicles, industry and power plants both in Hong Kong and in the Pearl River Delta region. 70% of our roadside pollution is put there by dirty diesel vehicles and 50% of Hong Kong people live or work near a busy road. By the Environmental Protection Department, air pollution was rated "high" or worse over 42 per cent of the year at general testing stations and 77 per cent of the year at roadside testing stations. Vehicular pollution is exacerbated by the "street canyon effect" in which the density of high-rise buildings prevents the dispersal of emissions. Recent research shows that the prevalence of respiratory diseases associated with air pollution in Hong Kong, resulting in medical costs of over 185 million U.S. dollars. This also includes direct and indirect costs such as medical expenses, productivity loss, compensation schemes, and awards.

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There is no single source of pollution to blame. The air pollution from our neighbours, Shenzhen SAR and the province of Guangdong, mostly affects Hong Kong in the winter. In Sep 2004, the Environmental Protection Department claimed that 80% of our pollution comes from China. Today, the Pearl River Delta is one of the world's major manufacturing centres, producing a large variety of goods for export. However, much of the investment which is turning the delta into an export production powerhouse is from Hong Kong.

Pollution has become a key political issue in Hong Kong as smog levels have raised to ...

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