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To raise public awareness of low-carbon living, the Environmental Protection Department in collaboration with Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden and the Hong Kong Federation of Women recently launched a community event entitled "LOWcarbonDIET@ HOME".
"Through cooking workshops and green tips on daily living, we hope to enhance women's understanding of climate change and encourage them to practise a low-carbon lifestyle to reduce the community's carbon footprint and make Hong Kong a greener city," said the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, after attending the first workshop of "LOWcarbonDIET@ HOME" at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.
"Climate change brings an unprecedented challenge to humanity and we need to work hand in hand with all sectors of the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Everyone can do it easily by better managing our daily essentials, things like clothing, food, home and travel, in a green manner. A low-carbon diet is a good start," she added.
Ten training programmes are being planned under the "LOWcarbonDIET@ HOME" banner for at least 300 women drawn from members of the Hong Kong Federation of Women. The training programmes will cover the six principles of a low carbon diet, i.e. Local, Organic, Vegetarian, Energy-saving, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle and Seasonal (LOVERS). Apart from learning how to prepare low-carbon food, the participants will have a try at picking fresh vegetables as ingredients.
In addition, participants will be provided with green housekeeping tips, including the use of natural cleaning agents, ways to reduce and treat kitchen waste and ways to convert waste into greenery.
Dr Poon added, "After completing the workshops, the participants will serve as ambassadors to spread the message of a low-carbon diet and green lifestyle to the community through district activities. It is estimated that altogether 5,000 people will benefit from the event. Kadoorie Farm will compile the experience of organising these community activities into a book to share with other interested institutions."
More information on low-carbon living is available at www.lowcarbonliving.hk (Chinese only).
Ends/Friday, December 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 10:02
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