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遊行地點是要在哪阿 地球暖化是越來越嚴重了
 

I learned from April 09, 2007 TIME magazine, The Global Warming Survival Guide, 51 things you can do to make a difference that (one of the 51 things) IATA, International Air Transportation Association, negotiated in 2007 a more direct route from China to Europe. That cuts an average 30 minutes off flight time, eliminating 84,800 tons of CO2 annually. I related immediately this solution to my past experiences taking indirect flight across the Strait and calculated roughly to find out 25 million tons of CO2 can be saved if there's direct across Strait transportation. I then made a 7-minute speech in my Toastmaster club (an international club for public speaking and leadership) in Vancouver. Please see my speech script attached below for details.

My original thinking is, environmental issue might be a solution to the direct across Strait transportation. While in Taipei reading 2007.09 Global Views Monthly magazine, I am thinking if the 25 million of CO2 can be traded? With current unit price of EUR23.7, the total transaction amount is EUR592.5 million, NTD29.625 billion. I am wondering if this amount could give some incentive to Taiwan and China governments to start negotiating the direct across Strait transportation.


Attachment: Toastmaster Speech, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Today, I would like to start with a simple math question. I have a Barbie doll to be delivered by air between 2 places that are separated by the ocean. Let’s assume there are 2 routes to deliver it. One being that it’s delivered directly from point A to point C, while the other must transit by a 3rd point. Timer, please record the time for each route: The first route – taking off from point A, flying across the ocean, and then landing on point C. The 2nd route – taking off from point A, flying across the ocean, landing in point B, waiting for the connecting flight, taking off again, flying across the ocean, and then landing on point C.

Of course the direct, non-stop deliver is much easier and cheaper than the route. I know this is not a kindergarten class. You are not 6-year-olds and I am not showing you this example to insult your intelligence or math abilities. In stead, I would like to share with you an important issue that affects us all.

Everybody, around world, is aware that when it comes to flights they can’t take direct flight. This also happens between Taiwan and China across the Taiwan Strait. Why? To make a long story short, since 1949, both Taiwan and China have claimed to be the only legal authority over China and Taiwan. Finally in the 1990s, both governments allowed people on both sides to visit each other. Now there are over 1 million Taiwanese living in China for business or work purposes where hundreds and thousands of Taiwanese companies operating in various Chinese cities. Even with this fact, direct flights are still not allowed due to the political dispute between the two countries. So, a 1 hour 30 minute direct flight (between Taiwan and Shanghai) becomes a whole day journey because it is routed through Hong Kong. (to show the map on the board to explain.)

Right now you might be asking ‘why is this information of concern to me as person living in Vancouver, Canada? Asia is far away from here.’ After all a direct transportation route is beneficial for people travelling between Taiwan and China.
The real question for you is where is the connection for you?

Let’s go back to that transferring Barbie example. If it costs us 10 CAD 10 for a direct flight and 20 CAD for an indirect flight, which route would you choose? In today’s real global world, most of us have not realized that each person on the earth is paying a much higher price for the indirect transportation across the Taiwan Strait. Everyday, there are around 100 extra transit flights across the Strait due to this indirect transportation. If the 100 extra transit flights can be cut, annually, 25 million tons of CO2 can be eliminated.

When the climate is crashing and global warming is to blame, and Canada’ arctic is melting down, our mother earth is at the tipping point. Fellow Fyrebyrdes and Most Welcome Guests, do you think any one of us can stand for this?

Do you really think it does not concern you? Let me impress upon you that it does concern you. Let me give you examples of what 25 million tons is:

> if you go vegetarian, 1.4 tons of CO2 a year can be saved; that is 18 million vegetarians can save 25 million tons of CO2.
> if you switch to a hybrid car, that saves 1 ton CO2 a year; that is, 25 million hybrid cars save 25 million tons of CO2 emission.
IATA, the International Air Transportation Association, in 2006 negotiated a more direct route from China to Europe. So that planes can fly as straight as a line as possible. That cuts an average 30 minutes off flight time, eliminating 84,800 tons of CO2 annually.

Ladies and Gentlemen, crossing the Taiwan Strait with a direct fly can cause a saving of CO2 emission 300 times of what IATA did in 2006.

I ask you, ‘together how can we cut 25 million tons of CO2 every year? We don’t want to accelerate the political dispute between Taiwan and China. For sure, it is a political issue that has blocked direct flights. But today, it is not a political issue anymore it is an environmental issue for all the human beings on this earth. This environmental issue concerns each one of us. We should take action before it’s too late. Global warming isn't opinion. Scientists fear that we may be approaching the point of no return. It's a scientific reality. Ladies and Gentlemen: This global warming is your business, and you can definitely make a difference!


 

台南有什麼活動嗎?我也要去支持