I should have partied with them! I spent last night in China instead. Still getting the all clear on VCD, but I found that Rarebird faces extinction.............................................
taipei.org
.ChinaNews005
.subject US ecologists say Tainan project could wipe out rare birds
from CHINA NEWS, 12 March 1998
Five US ecologists condemned a planned industrial development in Tainan yesterday, saying the proposals threatened vital wetland habitat essential for the survival of one of the world's most endangered bird species.
"The Bin-nan complex involves the wrong technology, at the wrong place, at the wrong time," said Delaware University's John Byrne at a press confernce outlining the delegation's concerns for the black-faced spoonbill.
The scholars said the proposed 7000-acre Bin-nan industrial development would fill part of Chi-gu Lagoon in coastal Tainan County with an oil refinery, steel mill and petrochemical plant, destroying the rare spoonbill bird's winter habitat.
They also raised concerns for local water supply and air quality, and put forward an alternative development plan that would conserve the area by turning it into an eco-tourism center.
"The world is moving away from the old heavy industrial-based development, and towards electronic and information-based technologies," said Byrne. He pointed out that Taiwan's carbon-dioxide emissions would be increased by up to 30 percent if the complex went ahead. This consideration would perhaps weigh more heavily with politicians and planners, he suggested, since Taipei wanted the international community to see it following Kyoto Earth Summit environmental aims.
There are only 650 spoonbills left in the world, Malcolm Coulter of Wetlands International told the meeting. He said half this population spent the winter months in the threatened coastal wetlands, and the loss of the habitat would send the bird into an extinction vortex.
"We want to save the area so the people and the birds can live there together," he said.
The alternative conservation zone plan, developed by National Taiwan University and the University of California at Berkeley, would create jobs and revenues equivalent to the Bin-nan proposal, the campaigners claimed.
When asked by the China News how Taiwan's authorities had responded to their concerns and alternative plans, Berkeley's Randolph Hester said DPP Tainan County Magistrate Mark Chen had responded positively.
"I got the impression he would support an alternative plan ... if it did indeed provide the benefits of the original plan. But that plan has to be put forward at the national level, and not just depend on local pressure," Hester said. "And there has to be both policy and money to support it."
The group will be visiting the Legislative Yuan tomorrow to voice their concerns.
Professor Hsia Chu-Joe of National Taiwan University alleged President Lee's mainland investment policy was to blame for the heavy industrial development in Tainan.
"Both those investors come from Tainan County, and the president has to do something for them otherwise they will go elsewhere," Hsia told the China News.
"Fortunately I think, the Kyoto Conference is critical. Now the government is aware of pressure from the international community, and environmental groups."
Copyright 1998 China News
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