HONG KONG CHRONICLES — Friday, 14th July
𝗠𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦.
𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘.
Sai Kung was bubbling with excitement after a whale was spotted in the waters off Millionaire’s Beach on Thursday. A group of sailing instructors caught sight of the giant mammal, believed to be a Bryde’s Whale, with its giant mouth open to filter in small animals like fish, shrimps or krill for food.
According to the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Bryde’s Whales are found in tropical and temperate waters. When fully grown, they can grow to as long as 15 metres.
𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗗 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧.
Drivers on Austin Road West yesterday witnessed a scene straight out of a dark comedy film when a coffin fell from a moving truck in Tsim Sha Tsui. The — fortunately — empty coffin landed on the Hung Hom-bound lane, lid open and joss paper scattered around.
Drivers had to change lanes quickly to avoid crashing into the coffin, which blocked a lane. It was recovered by the truck driver and, presumably, made it to its final destination.
𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦.
Have you ever dozed off on a bus? If you have, you probably put it down to a late night. However, researchers from Chu Hai College of Higher Education say commuters are likely to fall asleep on buses, especially on the upper deck, due to the high carbon dioxide levels.
The researchers found that C02 concentration inside buses is 60% higher than in MTR trains, and three times the recommended level. Professor Louis Lam of Chu Hai College said it may make commuters drowsy, have a headache or feel dizzy. He said bus operators should improve ventilation inside buses.
𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥, 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥, 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘.
On the topic of toxins, the Japanese tsunami of 2011 destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant’s power supply and cooling systems, causing three of its reactors to melt. Now 130 tons of contaminated water are created daily to cool the reactor fuel. The water is collected, treated and stored in tanks, which number about 1,000 and cover much of the plant’s grounds.
The plant’s operator, TEPCO, plans to release the treated water into the ocean via a water tunnel and dilution facility. The government and TEPCO say the tanks must be removed so they can decommission the plant and store the melted fuel.
Countries near Japan, including China and South Korea, denounce the plan, despite an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety review which concluded the treated water is consistent with IAEA Safety Standards. Here in Hong Kong, sea product imports from 10 Japanese prefectures — including Fukushima — will be banned if Japan begins discharging treated water into the ocean.
I’m in two minds on this topic. No one wants the oceans, its inhabitants, or humans to be exposed to radiation, but the IAEA says the water HAS been treated. And the water HAS to go somewhere. I’d welcome comments.
Until next week …
