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We often laud the abundance of country parks in Hong Kong, occupying some 40 per cent of the territory, though they are not necessarily easily accessible to many people given their hillside locations. We lack the network of urban or local nature reserves seen in other parts of the world, which are on people’s doorsteps. The green spaces that we do have in the built environment are often heavily managed and sprayed with herbicides/pesticides, reducing wildlife opportunities. There are also potential inequalities in access to nature between high and low-income households. Bringing accessible nature back into cities can be a solution, and there is now a push for urban greening and smart cities. It is imperative that we seriously look at specific biodiversity landscaping to improve our urban ecology – not just leave it to landscape designers – and recognise biodiversity as a public benefit. To achieve this, biodiversity conservation needs to be integrated into government policies. Education is key and reducing this disconnect between the public and nature is paramount. We have never been better informed on how our actions impact the environment, and despite increasing public and government interest in living sustainably, biodiversity continues to decline. The term ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ is becoming more widely recognised to refer to the negative effects of being disconnected from nature. David Stanton Director, aec.Ltd
This is a real concern, and a lack of connection to nature can limit focus on maintaining biodiversity, let alone looking for enhancement opportunities. The idea of introducing a Natural History GCSE in the UK is fast-gathering momentum and is extremely promising. An equivalent in Hong Kong would be a terrific addition to the curriculum, and most students in the city only ‘get into nature’ when they are at degree level. Access to nature is important for health and wellbeing during recovery from the coronavirus crisis. New research from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK reveals huge public support for putting nature at the heart of coronavirus recovery plans. Many of these findings are likely to be mirrored in Hong Kong. For example, 3 out of 4 people in England support the suggestion that nature could contribute to the UK’s economic recovery. The effective conservation of the natural environment and biodiversity is essential for human survival at both national and international levels. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, the public is increasingly becoming aware of the links between healthy, resilient ecosystems, and human well-being. With this awareness, the integration of biodiversity landscaping into our future developments will create accessible nature for all.
aec Ltd. is Hong Kong’s largest independent ecological and biodiversity landscaping consultancy. Our team brings in-depth knowledge on local and regional conservation issues and integrates ecological considerations into our clients’ business strategies and project developments. For more information on our services and skills, please contact aec@aechk.hk
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