Context
Hong Kong students will march to the Central Government Offices on Friday at 11am to urge the government to take action against climate change. So far, more than 380 people have clicked “going” on the Facebook event, with more than 1,400 clicking “interested”.
The strike is part of the global movement called #FridaysForFuture, which encourages young people to skip school and demand stronger government action to combat climate change.
Hong Kong police objected to the students’ original plan to gather at Victoria Park, but they were later given a permit allowing them to march from Chater Garden in Central.
The march has been opposed by the Education Bureau. A spokesperson responded in a written reply: “Schools are where students learn and grow. While we respect the right of students to express their opinions in a rational, peaceful and legitimate manner, we are opposed to boycotts of classes since any form of boycott of classes will disrupt the order in schools and interfere with the normal learning of students and operation of schools.”
ESF schools South Island, Sha Tin College, and West Island have also sent emails to students and parents stating that they will not endorse the strike.
Edited by M.J. Premaratne
Question prompts:
- What do you think of Hong Kong’s target for renewable energy growth (see chart, top)?
- Which effect(s) of climate change mentioned in the poster above do you think will affect you most and why?