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Problems of overtourism
Tina Lam Tin-lai, St Antonius Girls’ College
There is no doubt that overtourism contributes to environmental issues in Hong Kong.
When tourists visit, they may be unaware of their effect on the environment. They may snap photos of vulnerable sea stars before tossing them back into the water. This can pose significant health risks to animals that are not handled properly. Tourist groups often have leaders or guides, but few offer reminders to stop such behaviour.
Hong Kong should implement measures to reduce overtourism, such as limits on visitor numbers, environmental conservation measures and strategies to combat habitat loss.
Countries like Costa Rica, New Zealand and Bhutan are moving towards environmental conservation by introducing regulations to promote environmental sustainability. Officials in Hong Kong should take note of these regulations.
Taking the effort to clean up after yourself helps, too I’ve seen piles of trash scattered across the ocean, which can harm marine life. By cleaning up after ourselves, we can reduce the amount of waste.
Every action matters. Let’s come together and make a pact to protect the environment!
Tackling animal abuse
Karina Kwok Ting-yan, St Paul’s Secondary School
Animal abuse is a serious and growing problem that requires attention from the public. As a citizen of Hong Kong, I feel really sorry about this phenomenon.
Abandoning animals may shorten their life spans. When animals are kept as pets, they adapt to their owners’ routines. If they are abandoned on the streets, they have to wander around to find food. These animals may have lost their survival skills and be attacked by other animals.
Some people do not think twice before getting a pet; they only think about how it looks. My friend once adopted a cat simply because it looked cute in the pet store window.
Yet she soon realised that caring for a pet requires much more than she expected. As pet owners, we are responsible for their lives.
Also, the use of illegal traps harms many animals. The purpose of traps is to kill pests that carry diseases. In urban areas, the traps mainly trap mice. In the countryside, there are a variety of illegal traps for snakes, turtles and wild boars. These traps not only harm the targets but also injure or kill other animals.
We should not let any animal feel hopeless. We should carefully consider whether our time and money allow us to raise a pet.
Benefits of urban greening
Timothy Ho Yin-lok, Carmel Alison Lam Foundation Secondary School
Some may insist that urban greening should not be supported in Hong Kong because it costs a substantial amount of money, creating a financial burden on the government.
However, we should not neglect the long-term benefits of urban greening, as it could stimulate tourism and investment.
Since urban greening is still a new idea, many countries have yet to adopt these practices.
If Hong Kong were to add trees, parks and vertical gardens to its urban landscape, it could attract tourists eager to see skyscrapers set against the beauty of nature.
Also, many overseas investors would like to work with us to learn more about urban greening and bring it to their countries, which could help foster economic growth and generate revenue for Hong Kong businesses.
How to stop cyberbullying
Joseph Wong, Kowloon Junior School
Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet or phones to hurt or scare people. It’s a really big problem, especially for students.
Instead of just being mean in person, people hide behind their screens and say hurtful things. This can happen on social media, in texts or even in online games.
One reason cyberbullying is so bad is that it can happen anytime and anywhere. If someone is being bullied at school, they might feel safe at home.
But with cyberbullying, that safe space can disappear. Victims might get mean messages late at night, and it can make them feel really sad and alone.
Another tricky part is that bullies can hide their identities. They can say whatever they want without getting caught, which can make them feel powerful. This makes it even harder for kids who are being bullied to stand up for themselves.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, both on and offline. To help stop cyberbullying, we all need to work together. Schools can teach students about being kind online and how to report bullying. Friends can speak up if they see someone being bullied.
Parents can help by talking to their kids about what they see online and ensuring they feel safe.
