Media

International Experts to Explore Solutions for Combating Climate Change and Marine Pollution

04 Jan 2008

Climate change and marine pollution are two most pressing environmental issues worldwide that pose significant threats to sustainable development in both Hong Kong and the Mainland China.

Over 150 marine environmental experts from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas will gather together at a workshop in Hong Kong next week to identify the threats of climate change to the marine environment, especially for Hong Kong and southern China. The participants, including researchers, environmental officials, and non-governmental organization representatives, will work to formulate corresponding solutions and policies to combat these imminent problems.

The Joint Workshop on Marine Environmental Research, from 7th to 10th January, is organised by the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (MEL) of Xiamen University, the Centre for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology (MERIT) of Hong Kong, and The Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) of The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

The Joint Workshop composes of two major themes:-

Session One (7 - 8 January, at HKU campus)
Marine biogeochemistry and the responses of marine organisms to global climate change

Session Two (9 - 10 January, at City University of Hong Kong campus)
Development of innovative technologies for early detection, assessment, prediction and control of impacts arising from anthropogenic activities in the marine environment

Members of the media are cordially invited to cover the Opening Ceremony of the Joint Workshop, details are:-

Date: January 7, 2008 (Monday)
Venue: Wang Gungwu Theatre, Graduate House, HKU

Programme:-

9:00 am Opening Remarks /
Introduction of Joint Workshop & Speakers
By Professor David DUDGEON, Chairman, Board of the Faculty of Science, HKU
(He is also former Head and Founder of HKU's Department of Ecology & Biodiversity; and was awarded the Biwako Prize in Ecology by the Japanese Government in 2000 in recognition of his contributions to freshwater ecology and conservation in Asia.)

9:10 am Opening Ceremony to be officiated by:-
■ Hon. CHOY So Yuk, Legislative Councillor, HKSAR
■ Professor Paul TAM, Vice-President, HKU
■ Professor Ying ZHANG, Vice-President, Xiamen University
■ Professor Rudolf WU, Director, MERIT, HKSAR
■ Professor Huasheng HONG, Honorary Director, MEL, Xiamen University
■ Professor Minhan DAI, Director, MEL, Xiamen University
■ Dr Gray WILLIAMS, Honorary Director, SWIMS, HKU

MEL (State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University) -- It is a key research institution in China carrying out marine environmental research at the national level, with special reference to marine biogeochemical processes, mechanisms and their ecological effects.

MERIT (Centre for Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology in Hong Kong) -- The Centre, led by the City University of Hong Kong in collaboration with other 5 universities in Hong Kong, deals with environmental issues - one of the 8 Areas of Excellence (AoE) in Hong Kong selected by the University Grants Committee. Members of MERIT include leading scientists from the 6 universities in Hong Kong, together with 7 world renowned scientists from the USA, Australia, Norway and the Mainland China. It focuses on the development of innovative technologies for early detection, assessment, prediction and control of impacts arising from anthropogenic activities in the marine environment.

SWIMS (The Swire Institute of Marine Science) - It is a research institute of HKU with a primary interest on the marine biodiversity of the South China Sea, especially on coastal ecology and physiology, toxicology and bioremediation, and the management and conservation of marine resources.

For media enquiries, please contact: -
Ms Laura Wong, School of Biological Sciences, HKU (Tel: 2299-0639/ E-mail: mywongc@hku.hk); or
Ms Denise Wong, Manager (Media), External Relations Office, HKU (Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk)