Newsletter No. 280

The Three Pr inciples of Tree Preservation Prof. Lam Km che on Campus Trees and Environmental Conservation A s an environment specialist, Prof. Lam Km-che, chairman of the University Steering Committee on the Environment, believes that having a policy on different aspects of the environment is crucial. He said, ' Wh y shou ld there be a policy? Because it points us to where we should be heading and shows us how to get there. It provides a framework for discussion and minimizes misunderstanding and conflicts. Having said that, I must also stress that different views are inevitable when it comes to environmental issues. This is because they are not only about science; they involve mediating between different value systems. Purely scientific problems can at least be verified and lead to relatively unambiguous answers. Wi th values, there are often a proliferation of views; the weight given to d i f f e r ent v i ews also varies amo ng in- dividuals. While this is natural, we should also encourage expression of o p i n i o n, respect differences, and f i nd c ommon ground among diverse views.' Prof. Lam emphasizes the spirit of the University's environmental policy on tree preservation. He explains, 'If trees would be affected by a certain campus development project, we need to think hard on how to avoid the impac t. It is o n ly wh en impact is unavoidable then we think of ways to reduce it. And if the impact cannot be reduced, we need to make adequate provisions for compensation. "Avoidance, minimization and compensation" are the fundamental principles gu i d i ng every environmental protection policy.' He adds that the implementation of these p r i n c i p l es r e q u i r es s u f f i c i e nt information and that is why the Steering Committee believes that a campus habitat map and database on flora and ecology is important. The database wo u ld contain details of the d i s t r i bu t i on, species and growth conditions of flora on campus. It w o u l d help the Un i v e r s i ty to plan its de v e l opment better. Prof. Lam is very pleased that the database proposed by the committee has received 'the active response and the support of the University'. Camp us g r e e n i ng is o ne of t he University's priority tasks; it is also an integral part of a green campus. I believe we need to work hard to build a sustainable campus environment. In terms of hardware, we can give more consideration to green buildings and on how to make even better use of solar energy; to promote energy conservation; reduce the emission of air pollutants by minimizing the use of cars, even school buses. In terms of software, we can seek ways to lower water and paper usage, besides conserving energy. We can also assume a more exalted perspective, i.e., that of sustainable development. One of the ideas behind sustainable development is c o n c e r t ed e f f o r t. W e mu st a ll be environmentally conscious. I believe this is the direction the University can take.' 最新校 園 樹 木保 育政策 Policy on Tree Preservation on Campus 為加強對中大校園樹木保育的工作，大 學行政事務委員會最近通過一項由大 學環境事務督導委員會提出的最新校園 樹木保育政策，該政策的內容詳列於 http://www. cuhk. edu. hk/greencampus/ treepolicy/indexc.html ，歡迎 瀏 覽。 In order to strengthen tree preservation on campus, the Administrative Affairs Committee has recently endorsed a new Policy on Tree Preservation on Campus proposed by the University Steering Committee on the Environment. For more details, please visit the policy website at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ greencampus/treepolicy/. 新書 New Book 香港亞太研究所 Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies 研究叢刊第六十六號 《港澳與珠三角西部發展：掌握發展新機遇》 楊汝萬、黃揚略、余統浩、鄺景廉編 為促使政界、商界、學界及媒體聚焦於粵西 和珠三角西部的發展和所蕩涵的潛力，《香港商 報 》、《亞洲電 視 》、星島環球網和香港中文大學香 港亞太研究所攜手於二零零六年一月十至十二 日，在珠海銀都酒店舉辦了「首屆港澳與珠三角西 部發展論壇」。為了讓更多關注珠三角西部的人士 分享論壇成果，主辦機構特將論壇的精華編輯出 版。此書分為三部分，包括主辦機構及嘉賓致 辭，重點發言，以及市、縣、區首腦推介的珠三 角西部地區。 國際統一書號962-441-566-8，平裝本，1.55 + xii 頁，五十港元。 Research Monograph No. 65 Indicators of Social Development: Hong Kong 2004 Edited by Lau Siu-kai, Lee Ming-kwan, Wan Po-san and Wong Siu-lun This book presents the findings of the eighth territory-wide Social Indicators Survey conducted during the period of May to July 2004. The focus of the survey is on subjective indicators, which include the perceptions, feelings, aspirations, values, beliefs, behavioural tendencies, grievances, and the sense of well-being of Hong Kong residents from different walks of life. The target population comprises adults aged 18 and over who are living in Hong Kong. The questionnaire used in this survey is divided into two parts. The first part is a core component, to be answered by all respondents, on their quality of life. It is a permanent feature of the periodic survey aimed at measuring social trends. The second part consists of a number of modules on special topics, and each is answered by a sub-sample of the respondents. In this survey, there are four special modules: (1) fertility decline, continuing and life-long education; (2) employment, cross-border activities, and identity; (3) legal culture and political attitudes; and (4) health and class. ISBN 962-441-565-X, paperback, 355 + xx pages, HK$80 Occasional Paper No. 168 The Equal Opportunities Commission and the Women's Commission: Central Mechanisms for Advancing Women's Status Fanny M. Cheung and Priscilla Chung The establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission in 1996 and the Women's Commission in 2001 marked two major milestones in the advancement of women's status in Hong Kong. Women's affairs became a legitimate political agenda and were incorporated into the permanent state structure. This paper recounts the history of their establishment and examines the roles and functions of these institutional mechanisms in addressing women's issues in Hong Kong. The paper also discusses the challenges for mainstreaming gender in public policies, legislation and services by reviewing the achievements and constraints of the two commissions. ISBN 962-441-168-9, paperback, 44 pages, HK$20 Shanghai-Hong Kong Development Institute Occasional Paper No. 13 The Pan-PRD and ASEAN-China FTA as Agents of Regional Integration in Pacific Asia Yeung Yue-man ISBN 962-441 -813-6, paperback, 20 pages, HK$15 4