Let's aim at a cleaner home in Hong Kong

A deadly atypical pneumonia has been endangering the lives of residents of Hong Kong since early March. It alarms us to wonder whether Hong Kong is still a clean and healthy place for living.

Personally, I think it is right to say that Hong Kong is a dirty city where tremendous efforts are needed to create a better living environment.

For example, littering, pollution and the destruction of suburban areas are some of the most serious problems in Hong Kong.

It is not surprising to find a plethora of rubbish such as cigarette butts, soft drink cans and even the excreta of pets while walking the streets. Despite plenty of rubbish and recycling bins provided in public areas, there are still numerous people discarding their waste arbitrarily.

Besides, air pollution and water pollution are getting worse. One often finds it hard to take a fresh breath in crowded urban areas such as Kwun Tong, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. Raising your head, it is not rare to see an utterly turbid sky.

The quality of seawater at our beaches is also unacceptable. Swimmers often encounter floating plastics bags and the unpleasant stench of greenish, polluted seawater.

In addition, the destruction of suburban areas is worrying. After school outings, a great deal of disposable forks, knives and plastic bottles can be found around the barbecue stoves.

Some visitors are even selfish enough to pick flowers in the parks even though they rightly know that such an act is illegal. From this minor example, we can see people still do not feel a sense of responsibility to protect their natural environment.

Therefore, we must act together to care for our city. Together, we will have the confidence and capability to turn Hong Kong into a perfectly healthy city.

Yota Yip
A Form 7 student

Mobile phone is never a necessity, but a luxury

Nowadays, nearly everyone has his or her own mobile phone. I do not have one, but I never found that to be an inconvenience.

Instead, I find mobile phones to be absolutely annoying devices.

Wherever you are, it is not difficult to hear the endless ringing of mobile phones. Common examples are streets and restaurants. Even places like cinemas and cultural theaters that call for a quiet atmosphere abound with this noise.

They are a source of social problems as well. I read a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Police Authority that indicated that mobile phone theft accounts for approximately 60 percent of all thefts. Thus, mobile phones can be detrimental to society.

One should never have the false perception that mobile phones are a kind of necessity. Rather, they are merely luxury goods.

Charles Yeung
Tuen Mun