Read links below to know more about Kuokuang projects and a blogger's views on trading off between environment and economy.
1:http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/03/30/090330taco_talk_owen
2:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/04/21/2003501308
3:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/04/26/2003501685
A few weeks ago, the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant has been officially cancelled by the President Ma. In Taiwan, the dispute over the balance between environmental protection and economy development seems neverending. From the proponents' viewpoints, Kuokuang petrochemical plant will bring us tremendous income and offer a huge amount of job opportunities for our citizens. It also contributes the majority of GDP, fosters local prosperity
and attracts relevant industry to set up their headquarters or branches in Taiwan. Nevertheless, there is no free lunch. Heavy industries such as petrochemical industry, steel industry, auto industry and so forth are extremely high energy consumption. In consequence, the carbon dioxide emission of the manufacturers no doubt worsens the greenhouse effect which is believed to cause the globlal climate anomaly. The price paid for growing those heavy industries is higher than that. It also consumes gargantuan water resource, occupies residence of local species and affects the health of villagers.
Q:
1. As a citizen of Taiwan, what is your opinion about the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant in Changhua? Do you agree or disagree with that big development project? Explain your standpoints.
2. The first class of economy taught us human wants are unlimited while resources are limited. How to make a good tradeoff between multiple choices and payments does really matter. Do you have good solutions to balance between economy and environment protection?
3. Do you think the environmental justice is realized in Taiwan now? Share you viewpoints.
4. In this event and many others, we can see that our nation's policy is changing rapidly. Do you think that is a good phenomenon? Is party alternation really beneficial to Taiwan? How can we resolve the political confrontation to align our strength to make our country competitive and become a better place to live?
1:http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/03/30/090330taco_talk_owen
2:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/04/21/2003501308
3:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2011/04/26/2003501685
A few weeks ago, the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant has been officially cancelled by the President Ma. In Taiwan, the dispute over the balance between environmental protection and economy development seems neverending. From the proponents' viewpoints, Kuokuang petrochemical plant will bring us tremendous income and offer a huge amount of job opportunities for our citizens. It also contributes the majority of GDP, fosters local prosperity
and attracts relevant industry to set up their headquarters or branches in Taiwan. Nevertheless, there is no free lunch. Heavy industries such as petrochemical industry, steel industry, auto industry and so forth are extremely high energy consumption. In consequence, the carbon dioxide emission of the manufacturers no doubt worsens the greenhouse effect which is believed to cause the globlal climate anomaly. The price paid for growing those heavy industries is higher than that. It also consumes gargantuan water resource, occupies residence of local species and affects the health of villagers.
Q:
1. As a citizen of Taiwan, what is your opinion about the project of KuoKuang petrochemical plant in Changhua? Do you agree or disagree with that big development project? Explain your standpoints.
2. The first class of economy taught us human wants are unlimited while resources are limited. How to make a good tradeoff between multiple choices and payments does really matter. Do you have good solutions to balance between economy and environment protection?
3. Do you think the environmental justice is realized in Taiwan now? Share you viewpoints.
4. In this event and many others, we can see that our nation's policy is changing rapidly. Do you think that is a good phenomenon? Is party alternation really beneficial to Taiwan? How can we resolve the political confrontation to align our strength to make our country competitive and become a better place to live?
