Talk of the town : Light Pollution
【明報專訊】The Environmental and Ecology Bureau announced enhancements to the Charter on External Lighting on 28 October 2022. The participants of the Charter on External Lighting need to switch off their external lighting installations at an earlier time, which is from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the following day. The participants also need to turn off non-static lighting installations or switch them to static mode from 10 p.m. . The enhancements took effect on 1 January 2023.
The Green Earth visited Mong Kok, the severe area of light pollution in Hong Kong, and discovered that 26 shops had switched on their external lighting installations even though they were not in operation; of all the 26 shops, two violated the Charter on External Lighting.
What is light pollution?
Light pollution produces excessive artificial and outdoor light. To animals, light pollution poses a serious menace to the ecosystems as it may confuse migratory patterns of animals. To human, light pollution leads to adverse health effects as it may lead to disruption of biological clock and thus psychological disorders.
What is Charter on External Lighting?
Charter on External Lighting was launched by the Environment Bureau in 2016 and corporations were invited to switch off lights which affect the outdoor environment during the preset time. After the enhancements, the participants will receive awards if they comply with the certain switch-off requirements. However, the Charter is carried out on a voluntary basis and is not legally binding, thus it is always criticised as 'toothless'.
■Grammer Booster
"Turn off" or "Closed"?
Close: (cause something to) change from being open to not being open. When a shop, restaurant, or public place closes, people cannot get into it.
Turn off/ switch off: to stop a piece of equipment working temporarily by pressing a button or by moving a switch.
E.g.
1. Close the window please.
2. Turn the television off.
3. Switch off the lights.
■Riddle
Light hides me and darkness kills me, what am I?
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
static (adj) 靜止的
menace (n) 威脅
ecosystem (n) 生態系統
voluntary(adj) 自願的
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第366期]
