A climate-focused event yesterday saw 300 people gather at Taipei’s Liberty Plaza to call for the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
Led by Greenpeace Taiwan and other climate organizations, participants formed an image of a child blowing a wind turbine by holding hands to symbolize the progress of “green” energy, before cycling the streets and campaigning to boost sustainable energy and achieve a 100 percent renewable-energy goal by 2050.
The event was part of the global climate march for the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, where a planned march was prohibited following the terror attacks on Nov. 13, Greenpeace Taiwan’s renewable energy project manager Tsai Szu-ting (蔡絲婷) said, adding that the event yesterday was where the voice of the public and grassroots campaigners could be heard by government officials and policymakers attending the conference.
Photo: Wang Min-wei, Taipei Times
Citing a report by the International Energy Agency that said increasing energy efficiency and developing sources of renewable energy are two priority strategies for the energy sector to reduce carbon emission, Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition executive director Hsu Wan-ting (許菀庭) said government subsidies toward fossil-fuel-burning industries could only stall a successful industry transition, which is why campaigners have called for an end to such subsidies.
Citing the same report, Hsu said a reform of fuel subsidies and taxes, as well as increased investment in sources of renewable energy, could contribute to a 27 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Taiwan faces increasing air pollution in addition to global warming, as the energy sector accounts for 93.5 percent of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emission according to the Environmental Protection Administration, Tsai said.
According to a health risk assessment conducted by Greenpeace Taiwan, more than 50 percent of Taiwan’s fossil-fuel power plants run on coal and pollutants could contribute to 900 premature deaths every year based on the number of plants in 2011, and the death toll could rise to 1,200 if new plants being constructed or planned are included, Tsai said.
“Taiwan should shift to using 100 percent renewable energy for electricity,” Tsai said.
The campaigners said climate debt owed by this generation should not be transferred to future generations, calling on policymakers to uphold climate justice and adjust energy policies.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
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