Interviews: Opinions from all sides

 

 

 

 

The exclusive interview with Miss. Xu Ye-Jing

the teacher of Globe Science Department of Jingxin Middle School

Top »


Information

Date: 8/23/2006
Site: Natural Field Experimental Class of Taipei Jingxin Middle school
 Interviewee: Miss. Xu Ye-Jing in Globe Science Department of Jingxin Middle School
 Instructor: Mr. Chen Ming
Interview Members: Feng Yuan, Fan Jing-Wen, Jiang Bo-Ru, Luo Sheng

We have interview with the teacher after sufficient preparation
and the Globe Science teacher answers our questions cooperatively.

Back »


Q:How to slow down Greenhouse Effect from your Knowledge and point of view?

A:The theory of Greenhouse Effect is that the greenhouse gas on Earth restains and absorbs solar radiation heat reflected by the earth surface, so as to decrease temperature difference at daylight and night. Under influences of industry development and man's activity, the greenhouse gas increases by large amount to aggravate the greenhouse effect, which results in global warning and climate change.

Therefore, the essential solution is to decrease greenhouse gas (CO2, vapor and methane in general) by two means :( 1) restrain the greenhouse gas discharged by industrial activity, such as signing of Kyoto Protocol

(2) Search for substitute new energy of environmental protection such as solar energy, wind power and biologic organic energy.

Of course, the implementation of environmental protection education is more important. We can achieve goal of environmental protection by good behaviors, such as shut-down of light, freezer and energy saving etc. in daily life.

Back »


Q:What is the relation of Holy Innocent Phenomenon and Greenhouse Effect?

  A:Holy Innocent Phenomenon is derived from the upward flow which occurs in the maritime area near Peru, which will have effect on global climate. Since this phenomenon occurs before or after Dec. 25, the birthday of Jesus Christ, it is called the Holy Innocent Phenomenon.

 Actually speaking, the Holy Innocent Phenomenon has no direct relation with Greenhouse Effect; but these two result in great changes in environment and climate at the end of this century such as frequent occurrence and great scale of hurricane, typhoon. In addition, it is also difficult to grasp their performance. The abnormal temperature elevation or decrease has interactive effect on global climate change to greater Addition Effect.

Back »


Q:Does Greenhouse Effect will stop or recover?

A:We can not stop greenhouse since Greenhouse Effect itself is a natural phenomenon as we described before. The Earth needs moderate temperature to shorten temperature distance between daylight and night, so as to keep enough warm for species existence. The today's excessive greenhouse effect, however, results in many influences such as climate change and global warming etc.

Therefore, we can lighten influence of Greenhouse Effect by means of greenhouse gas or energy recover it. The ways for greenhouse gas decrease are as follows:

Plant trees in forest to slow down slashing in rain forest

The rain forest is recognized as Lung of Earth because it can consume greenhouse gas-CO2 through mass photosynthesis and release oxygen for necessary breath of species.

There are international organization rules or international protocol such as Kyoto Protocol to limit the total discharge volume of CO2 release by the industrial countries. Of course, it can not bring into full play unless the supports of all the countries in the world. The world leader-US refuses to sign this protocol, which is a frustration for Greenhouse Effect Treatment.

Back »


Q:Will the great disaster displayed in film The Day after Tomorrow occur in Taiwan in the future?

A:It is possible. Since the Greenhouse Effect is global, it is a worldwide subject or problem. The US has suffered a lot of sudden hurricane or high-temperature heat wave, which generates great damages to people's life and property.

Taiwan, as a member of Earth, can not isolate from this global disaster, but may suffer to different degree. There are so many factors that may affect climate, such as landform, geography, latitude and altitude, ocean current etc. For example, we will not encounter hurricane or waterspout or tsunami of large scale, but may suffer more damages of typhoon. The average temperature may elevate as well.

Back »


Q:Does the climate change caused by Greenhouse Effect have obvious effect on Taiwan?

A:Yes. The obvious evidence is the typhoon movement towards north in the past, the typhoon passes Philippines mainly, but it moves north to Taiwan in recent years with a tendency of moving towards Japan, northeast coast of the mainland. Another remarkable evidence is that the highest temperate and annual average temperature have increased year by year, which displays the actual power of global warming to us.

Back »


Q:What measures will the government take to slow down Greenhouse Effect?

A:Generally speaking, the performance of our government conforms to environmental protection protocol and tendency internationally, such as energy saving and substitute energy development etc. In recent, the energy-saving vehicle is promoted by government since the electrical engine or oil-electrical mix engine of taxi can decrease application of petrochemical fuels as well as discharge of greenhouse gas. The detailed policies are contained in your webpage-Greenhouse Effect Treatment Organization. You can also take data of Environmental Protection Agency as reference.

Back »


Q:Do you have any suggestion or advice on our special research and webpage?

A:I have watched rich content and data in your Greenhouse Effect Treatment Net of meticulous design, and I appreciate your good preparation and concentration on it. It can be perfected through your continuous efforts by the same program means. I bless you that your webpage can run well so that you can share your achievement with all students in the world through internet. Keep up the good work!

The teacher listens to our questions seriously and put forward may precious suggestions. We get a lot from her thoughtful and elegant conversation style

Back »


Afterthoughts on Interviews

We think that we have studied Greenhouse Effect thoroughly, but the teacher explains many misunderstand and wrong concepts to us through this interview, which displays some blind points which we do not pay attention to.

The most important recognition is: The Greenhouse Effect is a global subject we are facing at. Since its influence is worldwide, Taiwan, as one member of the Earth can not isolate from it. We must do our contribution to global warming treatment in daily life.

We would like to express our gratitude to Miss. Xu Ye-Jing who influences us by her thoughtful and elegant conversation style. With precious suggestions and encourages of teachers, we will keep up our work. Dear teacher, please accept our appreciation once more.

After interview, we take photograph with beautiful and knowledgeable Miss. Xu.

Back »

 

 

Interview with Professor Gu

Information

200/3/15 Professor Gu agrees to share his lecture on “Seed Training Camp for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in Communities”


Parent volunteer and Professor Gu

He first introduced the problems related to global greenhouse gas control, and the problems to be concerned in Taiwan. The main points are:

(1) Serious review on climate change

  • The problem of global warming due to climate change is more dangerous than terrorists.
  • The impact of global warming is like mass destructive weapon.
  • If we cannot prevent global warming, it will be a great calamity for mankind.

(2) Impacts due to climate changes

  • Rise of sea level
  • Decrease of rainfall
  • Increase of infectious diseases
  • Poor air quality
  • Increase of respiratory diseases
  • Crop failure
  • Reduction of forest area
  • Decrease of water resources
  • Corrosion of coastal line
  • Distinction of species
  • Melting of glacier

(3) Global warming and its impacts will be more obvious

  • The ice of Arctic is melting, the glaciers of Chim-Kham-Tsang Plateau and Greenland are shrinking, the area of frozen soil in Siberia is diminishing, and the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is making the seawater more and more acidic.

  • The burning of fuel increases the emission of greenhouse gas, and is unable to lower the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 550ppm suggested by the E.U. Even the greenhouse gas stops emitting, the accumulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase the temperature in the next two hundred years.

  • From now to 2030, the demand for energy will increase by 53%. The energy consumption is facing uncertain supply system in the future, and irreversible environmental damage.

(4) Greenhouse effect in Taiwan

  • Because of the greenhouse effect, the sea level in Taiwan rises over 1.5m each year. Until 2005, the western coastal line had retreated 1m. Will your house be on the water or land?

Top »

 

 

Mr. Wei-ming Huang, Environmental Protection Administration

Information

Location: Environmental Protection Administration
Interviewee: Wei-ming Huang
Teacher: Ming-nan Chen
Team member: Yuan Feng, Po-ru Chiang, Sheng Lo, Jing-wen Fan, Yao-chung Liu

Top »


We visited the highest environmental protection authority in Taiwan, and felt a bit nervous. We were able to meet the zealous engineer, Mr. Wei-ming Huang, and got answers to many questions.

(1) What is the National Sustainable Development Conference?

It is a special culture in Taiwan. The National Sustainable Development Conference is based on current environmental issues, such as ocean pollution, to cooperate with international organizations.

(2) Are the resolutions reached in the Conference executed by any governmental bureaus?

Usually, meetings would reach resolutions, yet may lack of consensus on details. The resolutions are carried by individual bureaus?

(3) Is there any bureau monitoring the execution?

After the policy is included in the governmental budget, the Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission will supervise the outcomes, and the Ministry of Audit will audit the budget.

Meeting before interview Environmental protection DM in EPA

 

(4) Are the policies relevant to the discussion of issue “greenhouse gas reduction” in the world?

Currently, all international conventions, such as Kyoto Protocol, are under the U.N. system, and Taiwan is not a part of the U.N. However, we still cooperate with other countries, and are updated on the issue.

(5) What is most part for Taiwan to promote “greenhouse gas reduction”?

I think our biggest obstacle is inability to attend international conferences, and are not aware of the international updates. We try to make the best efforts, yet it is not enough. Currently, 98% of our energy is imported. Since our energy is bounded by contracts, we couldn't take any risks.

Cost is another obstacle. Presently, one watt of electricity in Taiwan is NT$2.2. If changed to solar energy, it will be NT$15, which is 20 times of the regular price. Therefore, due to political factors, it is difficult to change the price. Currently, the ratio of CO2 emission of coal, fuel, and natural gas is 5:4:3.

(6) What is the best achievement of Taiwan in promoting “greenhouse gas reduction”?

These are:

Landfill: since there is problem with direct recycling because enclosed environment will generate alkane, our solutions are:

  • (a) recycle alkane into electric energy;
  • (b) avoid organic substance into the landfill, in order to reduce the amount of waste.

(7) How do you achieve a balance between business profit and environment protect?

Some people think that businesses are against environmental protection, actually, CEO of Shell Corp. believes that CO2 is the major problem to mankind, thus, to Shell, it is a business opportunity. Since energy company knows the best about CO2 emission from petroleum, it has turned gtl into liquid. Petroleum companies in England are also researching into bio-materials.

Taiwan has strict standard, thus, Formosa Plastics Corp. has always complained about it. However, Formosa Plastics has established a sound reputation because of this high standard.

(8) How does the government compensate green companies?

Taiwan has industrial add-value regulations. Companies that qualify can receive allowance of 5-year tax exemption, such as recycling companes, landfill.

Meeting Discussion in MOS

 

(9) Some countries are planning to pass laws to collect carbon tax (including on airline tickets), is Taiwan planning the same thing?

Carbon tax is an ideal, it is far away from actual execution because the amount might be large. The use of it will another problem.

In Taiwan, if US$10 is charged for 1 unit, over NT$700 billion could be collected, that's half of the total national budget. The allocation of such amount is a big problem.

(10) How do we measure the amount of carbon dioxide?

Presently, the international measurement is the amount of petroleum imported divide by emitted parameter. Taiwan relies on import, so the amount of carbon dioxide could easily be measure.

There is an observation station on the mountain in Hawaii. It measures by constant air with low interference.

Top »


Afterthoughts:

Yuan Feng

After meeting with Mr. Wei-ming Huang of EPA, we better understand the obstacles and achievements of Taiwan in fighting against the greenhouse effect. I want to thank Mr. Huang for his enthusiasm, so that we are more aware of our mission as a global citizen.

I now know the meaning of “imminent incident”. We need to solve the urgent problems first. The greenhouse effect has drawing more and more danger on the mankind. Basic environmental protection is the fundamental work, and prevention is better than curing.

Yao-chung Liu

During the interview, Mr. Huang mentioned Mr. Gore's documentary. He thinks that “adaptation” is a passive way to deal with it. The best way is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in air, instead of adapting to its damages. However, because of the urgency of the problem, adaptation is the most important issue. Tuvalu is about to be submerged because of the melt down of glacier in the North Pole. Their people need to relocate to New Zealand. Their problem is not about reducing temperature, but survival.

Jing-wen Fan

We listed our questions for today's interview, so that the interview could go smoother. I think that greenhouse effect is a serious problem to the world, and the National Sustainable Development Conference has discussed some environmental issues, which include the greenhouse effect. In recent years, the government has been promoting recycling of kitchen waste, so that organic substances will not go to the landfill, and cause environmental pollution. I support this policy. The earth belongs to all of us, and we are responsible to maintain a clean environment. I hope that more people could embrace environmental protection.

Sheng Lo

The promotion of global warming issue in Taiwan concerns international political issues, thus, Taiwan is stagnated on the issue. I believe that the world belongs to all of us, and it is our responsibility as well. Since Taiwan is unable to join the U.N., and cannot solve the problem the world faces. How could a calamity be subjected to politics.

Po-ru Chiang

A few days ago, we emailed 9 questions to the Director of EPA, and received no reply. Today, we visited the EPA to seek for answers. A senior staff led us to the meeting room, and answered all our questions. When I heard about how Taiwan has to follow the international trend, I was very sad. Because the U.N. only recognizes China as its member, but not Taiwan, we could not promote policies in synchroniz