［20120922］Pollution in Hong Kong

Pollution in Hong Kong

香港污染

Not so fragrant

不太香

An encouraging appointment addresses an enduring problem

以一个振奋人心的人事任命来解决一个长期问题

Sep 22nd 2012 | HONG KONG | from the print edition

THE new government of Hong Kong has bungled plentysince taking office in July, but it looks as if it has pulled off a deft move ongreen issues. Leung Chun-ying, the city’s chief executive, has chosen Christine Loh Kung-wai as his new environmental undersecretary. It is a striking choice, given her background as a green activist and pro-democracy legislator.

香港新政府自从七月份上台以来不断碰壁，但似乎在环保问题上做得不错。香港现任特首梁振英任命陆恭蕙（Christine Loh Kung-wai）为环境局副局长。鉴于陆恭蕙环保斗士和民主派立法委员的身份背景，这是一个引人注目的任命。

Ms Loh will need to find creative answers to a nagging question: why is Hong Kong’s air so bad (see chart)? Its air pollution often exceeds the limits set by the World Health Organisation, leading to some 3,200 avoidable deaths a year, according to the University of Hong Kong.

陆女士需要拿出一个富于创意的方法来应对一个烫手山芋：为什么香港空气质量如此糟糕（见图表）？香港大学称香港的空气污染情况经常超出世界卫生组织（World Health Organisation）设置的峰值，造成每年约3200例可避免的死亡。

One common explanation is that it is caused by emissions blown over from mainland China. But China is unlikely to be the main culprit. Mike Kilburn of Civic Exchange, a think-tank co-founded by Ms Loh, argues that what matters most is not the aggregate volume of a pollutant like nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Rather, he says, the real harm comes from the roadside, where people walk or gather. By this measure, the biggest health threat is home-grown.

（究其原因，）有一个惯常说法认为在于中国大陆刮过来的污染物。但中国大陆似乎并不是罪魁祸首。来自陆女士联合创立的智库“思汇政策研究所（Civic Exchange）”的Mike Kilburn认为最关键因素不在于类似于二氧化氮（NO2）等某种污染物的聚合总量，他认为真凶来自于行人往来或聚集的路边。这样说来，最大的健康威胁是港土自产。

One problem lies in the local power grid’s use of coal, the dirtiest of fuels. Another is the grittybunkerfuel burned by the many ships in a once-fragrant harbour. The city’s lorries, buses and taxis are meant tohave catalytic converters, but these often degradeover the years.

问题一方面在于当地电网使用最脏的燃料——煤炭，另一个方面在于不少船只在曾经芬芳的港湾上燃烧沙砾质船用燃料。香港的货车、公车和出租车是必须配备催化转化器的，但是这些转化器多数年久失修了。

There has been some progress. The government has offered fleet operators subsidies to upgrade technologies, and has introduced a half-hearted ban onvehicles idling. Big shipping firms now support an official push for higher-quality fuels. (A new report suggests cleaning up marine fuels could save many lives.) Power plants are adding scrubbers.

香港（在环境方面）还是取得了一些进步的。政府补贴船队运营商，进行技术升级；针对闲置车辆出台了一个三心二意的禁令；大型运输公司现在也支持使用官方推广的优质燃料；（有新报道指出清理船用燃料可以挽救很多生命）；电力厂也增加了洗涤器。

Still, two big snagsremain. One is outdated standards, says Wong Tze-wai of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He and his colleagues have launched a new air-pollution index that he says captures health risks better than the official index, which has not kept pace withthe latest science. Citing international data, the Clean Air Network, another local green group, argues that local air is often three times as foul as in New York and London. Though its overall air quality is better than Beijing’s, a recent study of NO2 pollution still ranked Hong Kong near the bottom of a list of the 32 biggest Chinese cities.

但仍然存在两大问题：其一是标准过时，香港中文大学的Wong Tze-wai如是说。他和同事发布了一项新的空气污染指标，称相比于落后于先进科学的官方指标，新指标能更好地捕捉健康风险。另一家本地环保组织“健康空气行动（Clean Air Network）”，援引国际数据，称香港的空气质量常常比纽约和伦敦的糟糕三倍。尽管香港的整体空气质量优于北京，但近期一项关于二氧化氮（NO2）的研究仍将香港排在中国32大城市的倒数。

The other problem is politics. Eric Bohm, until recently the boss of WWF Hong Kong, a big green group, believes that citizens badly want a cleaner environment—a view supported by opinion polls. But lobbying often waters downeven weak anti-pollution measures.

其二在于政治。大型环保组织世界自然基金会（WWF）刚刚卸任的香港分会老板Eric Bohm相信香港公民极其渴望一个更清洁的环境，这是民调结果。但游说团体经常削弱哪怕是微弱的反污染措施倡议。

When Mr Bohm left his post, he pointed a finger at“the political-representation system, which looks after vested interestsbefore it looks after the general interest.” Ms Loh has her work cut out.

Bohm先生离任时，将矛头直指“既得利益优先于大众利益的香港政治代表制”。陆女士可谓是任重道远啊。

from the print edition | China 

have (one's) work cut out for (one) 

（某人）面临着艰巨任务

Toknowthatoneisfacedwithadifficulttask.

Fig.tohavealargeanddifficulttaskpreparedforone.

I knew I had my work cut out for me when I saw how messy the playroom was.

They sure have their work cut out for them, and it's going to behard. There is a lot for Bob to do. He has his work cut out for him.