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Letter: Greener needs

Reading the editorial "Act now to deal with climate change" (Jan. 2, page 8), I wasn't particularly surprised to learn that Taiwan is a relatively large producer of greenhouse gases. It contributes 1% of the world's carbon emissions but accounts for less than 0.4 percent of the world's population.

The article claimed that to remedy the situation businesses need to change and become more ecologically aware. No doubt this is true, but another problem needs to be tackled first.

Since coming to Taiwan a little over four years ago, I've been amazed by people's lack of regard for environmental issues. Whether they're pumping gas into their SUVs, filling their garbage cans with huge amounts of plastic and paper, or burning up the gas and emptying the water tanks with hour-long showers, it seems that many Taiwanese are only too ready not only to produce huge amounts of carbon but also to use up the world's resources.

There are a few silver linings in this black acid-rain cloud hanging over Taiwan. On an individual level, more people are recycling. With ever stricter controls over what -- and how -- we throw things away, this is a trend that looks set to continue. On a national level, Taiwan is looking to various forms of renewable resources to meet part of its energy demands. But more needs to be done.

The most important thing is that people make changes to their daily lives. Driving smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, buying products with less packaging and limiting the use of air conditioners would be a good start. Changes like these, however, will not simply happen of their own accord.

The obligation to make them happen must lie with the government.

By legislating against environmentally irresponsible behavior, passing laws that would tax vehicles with high fuel consumption, or fining households that use excessive amounts of water, the government would force people to become responsible for their actions.

But this would only be half the answer. It is also important that the nation become enthusiastic about green issues. By educating people about the harmful effects of pollution and how they can make a difference, the government could raise awareness of, and interest in, environmental issues.

These measures do a lot to clean up the country and reduce the 10 tonnes of carbon the average Taiwanese person generates each year. Only when people become interested in that issue will businesses get serious about reducing their impact on the environment.

Andrew Crosthwaite
Minhsiung

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