Two sessions need more work to go green
- Source: Global Times
- [08:28 March 08 2010]
- Comments
Chen Fei, a NPC deputy from Zhejiang, offers environmental-friendly baskets to Beijing residents at a vegetable market Sunday. The deputy is trying to promote emissions reduction, a top issue at this year's Two Sessions, which he is attending. Photo: CFP
By Deng Jingyin
Delegates to the ongoing "two sessions" have been trumpeting a low-carbon lifestyle and setting examples by riding bicycles to the conference or going "paperless" by using laptops.
A calcium carbonate paper dubbed "stone paper" is being used for the first time because it degrades quicker than normal scrap paper and is believed to cause little pollution. In addition, each member of the CPPCC received a laptop to submit proposals and receive documents, a move to create paperless sessions.
Nevertheless, some people argue that the lawmakers and advisors could do a better job to make their stay in Beijing more eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
High-energy consumption and environment pollution arise from such large-scale conferences, with delegates shuttling between Beijing and their hometowns, and commuting between hotels and conference halls.
Some say the emissions from gas-guzzling cars and buses cannot be offset by the green measures the delegates advocate.
Xu Youyu, professor and researcher at the Philosophy Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), says members and deputies of the two sessions should take carbon-offsetting measures and set a good example for the nation.
For example, thousands of members and deputies arrived on airline flights from all regions of the country. A 1,000-km flight produces emissions of 912 kilograms of carbon dioxide, he said.
"Every day, they commute between the conference hall and hotels in special vehicles, which is reasonable because it facilitates some old people and handicapped people. But each liter of gas will create 225 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions," he added.
In addition, a central heating and air-conditioning system provides pleasant temperatures in the Great Hall of the People, but carbon dioxide emissions can hit 47,648 kilograms every 1,000 square meters, Xu said.
Besides, wherever the deputies' cars go, local police impose "traffic control," stalling normal traffic, which has to hold for the VIP cars.
A taxi passenger complained that traffic jams not only cause inconvenience, but create a waste of energy.
"I waited in a taxi for 10 minutes Thursday, because the deputies' cars were going to pass. It was only three cars but held up so many buses and cars," Deng Yuhong, a Beijing citizen, told the Global Times Sunday.
Cui Yongyuan, a well-known TV host and a CPPCC member, said the two sessions consume so much ener-gy that members should put forward valuable energy-saving proposals, or at least feel sympathy for motorists stuck in traffic control roadblocks.
Ye Qing, a NPC deputy from Hubei Province, suggested that NPC deputies and CPPCC members can do some emission-offsetting things, such as planting a tree before leaving the capital or taking public transportation instead of designated cars.
Furthermore, restricting the use of disposable items in hotels, such as paper slippers, would be an effective measure for carbon offsets, he said.
"Low carbon concepts should become a lifestyle. I think Pu Cunxin, an actor, has set an good example for us," he said.
Since he became a member of CPPCC, Pu has been riding a bike to attend the conference.
