Air pollution adversely affecting 96% of residents
21 janvier 2005
HONG KONG — 96% of Hong Kong residents are affected by air pollution and 53% want to move to a less polluted place according to the latest results released from an Asian air pollution survey by global market research company, Synovate.
The study, involving over 4,500 respondents across major cities in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, examined resident's perceptions of air pollution and their environmental concerns.
Synovate Director Market Research, Scott Lee, said the results of the survey demonstrated that residents believe air pollution is having a significant impact on their lives and that the problem was not improving.
With 96% of Hong Kong resident's indicating they are affected by the air pollution and 69% believing that the air quality has worsened over the past year, air pollution is clearly a significant problem for a very large proportion of the population.
"The air pollution is affecting people in many different ways, with 66% of respondents indicating that they were experiencing irritation to their eyes, nose and throat, 37% breathless or having more difficulties in breathing and 30% attributing skin problems to the pollution,"Mr Lee said.
Air pollution is also having an impact upon people's emotional lives, with 49% of Hong Kong residents worrying about the living environment for children and 21% feeling depressed due to the air pollution.
Of those respondents affected by air pollution, 53% indicated that it made them want to move to a less polluted place.
"The survey reveals that Hong Kong residents aren't just being affected in a physical manner, but that air pollution is also having a perceived effect on their emotional lives. This is a real cost, both in terms of increased doctors bills and standard of living," Mr Lee said.
"As a result, people are now willing to make sacrifices to improve their lives through reduced air pollution, while they are also eager to see more done to encourage a better environment."
This includes action by industry and government that may have a direct financial impact upon consumers, with 63% agreeing that polluting companies should be fined even if it puts some jobs at risk and 68% agreeing that the government should do more to promote and encourage a better environment even if taxes have to go up slightly.
A further 56% of residents agree that power stations and factories should switch to cleaner processes, even if consumer bills and prices have to go up.
Hong Kong residents are also ready to take individual responsibility, with 62% indicating that they are actively involved in cleaning up the environment and 91% believing that improving the environment is the responsibility of every citizen.
However, further education is required, with 84% of residents believing that if they knew how to contribute to a better environment they would take action. The government also needs to be involved, with 90% of respondents indicating that they would like to see the government more active by implementing recycling programs in the city.
Mr Lee said that the clear message from the results was how strongly people in Hong Kong feel about air pollution and the environment, and the very real impact bad air quality has on their lives.
"Importantly, the survey also highlights the need for governments and NGOs to work together to educate citizens and provide the necessary policies to help create a better environment," Mr Lee added.
Download survey findings (PDF 174Kb)
Contact(s) for this press release
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Georgia McCafferty
Marketing and Communications Manager Asia |
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9/F Leighton Centre |
Telephone: +852 2837 8277 |
Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. Synovate employs over 6,400 staff across 62 countries.
For more information on Synovate visit www.synovate.com.