Global climate change is the greatest threat and challenge that mankind faces in this century. Especially cities that are nearby the seacoast around the world will confront intensified phenomena such as rising sea levels, change in rainfall, attacks by intense typhoons, heat waves and other crises, but most importantly the higher temperature will exacerbate the problem of air pollution in most cities. Cities are not only the major source of greenhouse gas emissions; they also presently play critical roles in dealing with these tough questions of impending global crisis. Cities such as Vancouver, Seattle, and London are taking action immediately. Now, KaohsiungCity, which is located on the southwest coast of Taiwan, will become one of them. The population of Kaohsiung is 1.5 million in total. It is famous for its busy port and industrial parks, which make it the industrial and commercial heart of south Taiwan. Moreover, the 12-kilometer length of coast with a protected harbor make Kaohsiung one of the most important ports in the world, and the so-called “ocean capital” of Taiwan. Furthermore, the World Games 2009 will be hosted by Kaohsiung
In the past Kaohsiung was a chief representative of Taiwan’s traditional petrochemical and steel industries, particularly in creating and carrying forward Taiwan’s rapid and extended economic growth; at the same time, the greenhouse gas emissions became the highest of any city in the country. Its CO2 emissions comprise 20.52% of the total for Taiwan, and in 2004 CO2 emissions per capita were 34.72 tons, an amazing statistic that far exceeded the per capita average emissions of 11.1 tons for all of Taiwan in 2003. Considering the 10.96 tons per capita of the OECD countries and 3.96 tons per capita for the global average, it seems Kaohsiung is perhaps the first-place winner in industrial production and perhaps also deserves the booby prize for CO2 damage to the earth.
Confronting the heavy impact and uncertain outcome of global climate change on the earth, Kaohsiung has itself recognized its responsibility as part of the world citizenry, and has also recognized that cities are part of the core of the solution for dealing with climate change. An industrial city on the edge of the ocean, Kaohsiung is a heavy contributor to greenhouse gases. However, it is beginning to demonstrate self-regulation efforts despite being outside the Kyoto Protocol mechanism. Hopefully through a strategic alliance between domestic and international partners, we can together strive towards the world vision of a low-carbon emissions industrial city.
Network And Alliance -- CANADA GREEN CLUB
