|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Beauty & the Beast Water buffalo grazing in mountains of Taitung B. Schmitt |
The West first learned of Taiwan nearly 500 years ago when Portuguese explorers ventured offshore. They were overwhelmed by its beauty and christened the place Ilha Formosa, “Beautiful Island”. From a distance, today's image remains enchanting. Cloud "seas" tickle the mountain tops and tropical beaches stud the shores. But closer inspection reveals a “Beast” (the world’s highest density in population, pigs, motorbikes, motor-vehicles and manufacturing plants), one that threatens to overtake the environment. Accomplishments made by the United States - Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) prove that the beast can be tamed. |
The United States - Asia Environmental Partnership brings a fresh approach to a most difficult subject. Acting as the catalyst for change, its members are dedicated to developing sustainable measures for a healthy environment as well as a productive economy. Initiated in 1992 under the leadership of the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), "the partnership embodies a new model of cooperative development, one that encourages U.S. - Asian alliance between government, NGO's, academia and the private sector." Experience and expertise are mutually shared to encourage timely answers to environmental concerns. Peter Kimm, Executive Director states, "The critical approach of USAEP is the concept of partnership arrangements, by which the partners, as equals, voluntarily enter into agreements to pursue mutually rewarding results."
The mission is to promote a "clean revolution" in Asia. Just as the "green revolution" of the 1970s and 80s completely changed Asia’s approach to agriculture and how to feed its peoples, Asia today could be on the cusp of a "clean revolution"—transforming how Asia industrializes and protects its environment. "Clean revolution," means the continuing development and adoption of ever less-polluting and more resource-efficient products, processes, and services."
In Taiwan to date, US-AEP has supported 161 environmental exchanges including government, academic and technical exchanges, has processed 258 trade leads, or requests for technical transfer, has sponsored 27 technology grants through the National Association of State Development Agencies and 1 Trade Development Agency grant in the amount of $450,000, in addition to initiatives through the Council of State Governments. Together with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, it has also supported action teams, short-term technical assistance, and training modules.
US-AEP is a hybrid organization, funding support for programs through money from the U.S. Agency for International Development, and partnering with other governmental departments such as the Department of Commerce. Laura Shea, US-AEP Taiwan Director explains, "My primary goal is to improve Taiwan's position as a regional economic and environmental leader. The work is very rewarding because US-AEP and Taiwan are moving towards the same goals and with positive results."
Readers in southern Taiwan who are weary of local headlines announcing oil spills, toxic waste and air quality indexes will find some comfort in good news. The Environmental Center for Livestock Waste Management (ECLWM), established in 1998 by US-AEP in conjunction with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and the Council for Agriculture, has made great strides. In past decades, countries worldwide have witnessed the shift from small pig farms to large-scale operations. Production has improved, but with a decrease in the supply of land to correctly treat swine waste. In efforts to provide answers to this pressing need, US-AEP generated NT$20 million worth of equipment through American businesses as donations. Simple composting equipment to cutting-edge treatment systems have been shared making the ECLWM an excellent example in the transfer of environmental protection technology and cost-effective solutions for the future of sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the ECLWM hosts observers from around Asia to expose them to new ways in which they may combat the similar problems at home. Malaysia, for example, has sought training on livestock waste management.
US-AEP-Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan eventually become a regional center for development of fuel cells, especially for use in motor scooters. Fuel cells are a zero-emission alternative to the combustion engine and other traditional generators of energy. Recently, US-AEP invited a group of high-level Taiwan officials on a delegation to California to talk with officials about the “Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate” and to observe the development of fuel cells in America. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed on January 12, 2001, between Administrator Edgar Lin of the Taiwan Environmental Administration (TEPA) and the California EPA Secretary, Winston Hickox. Taiwan is now making a concerted effort to do further research and development on fuel cells and to commercialize the fuel cell, starting with the fuel cell motorbike. Commercialization won’t occur immediately, but when it does, zero emission motorbikes will become available to the Asian region through Taiwan’s efforts. This is one of the most exciting projects with regional implications that US-AEP has supported to date.
For more details, visit the United States - Asia Environmental Partnership Web Site
Sincere thanks to US-AEP-Taipei for their assistance in preparing “Beauty & the Beast”.
ROSTER OF US-AEP REGIONAL OFFICES
Hong Kong, 1992
Singapore, 1992
Taiwan, 1992
India, 1994
Indonesia, 1994
Korea, 1994Malaysia, 1994
Philippines, 1994
Thailand, 1994
Sri Lanka, 1996
Viet Nam, 1999
Do your part to save southern Taiwan’s environmentSCHEDULE OF UPCOMING US-AEP TAIWAN SUPPORTED EVENTS
On-going Disaster Management & Mediation Training Session (Taiwan)
April Waste Expo 2001 (Chicago)
April USAEP & SCO Annual Meeting (Viet Nam)
May 6-8 Mayor's Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit (Honolulu)
May International Workshop on Eco-Labeling for promoting green consumption in the Asia-Pacific region (Taiwan)
June 17-20 Symposium to Promote Low and Zero Emission Vehicle Use in Asia (Taiwan)
June 21-22 Fuel-Cell Symposium (Taiwan)
July Third Environmental Risk Management Banking Seminar
September International Conference on Environmental Performance Indicators & Bench Marking (Taiwan)
September Integrated Coal Gasification Combined-Cycle Seminar (Taiwan)
September U.S. Bio-tech Environmental Round Table (T.B.A.)TOP
Household waste must be separated into 4 groups, including “recyclable”, “general”, “bulky” and “hazardous”. This will be collected according to the rules by the DEPK (Dept. of Environmental Protection-Kaohsiung)General Waste: collected daily by trucks
Recyclable Waste: collected by DEPK’s recycling vehicles on designated days (twice a week) or deposited in neighborhood recycling stations. Category includes: papers, metals (iron & aluminum), glass (bottle & jars), plastic containers (PET, PVC, PE, PP), aluminum foil jackets, old clothes, tires, Styrofoam utensils (clean), home appliances.
Bulky Waste: free pick up by calling your local DEPK waste cleaning crew to make arrangements
Hazardous Waste: Notify DEPK for sanitary chemical containers, lead batteries, mercury batteries, and fluorescent light tubes
Nantze Crew: 351-0147
Kushan Crew: 521-8247
Chien Chin Crew: 251-8250
Lingya Crew: 713-2650
Chien Chen Crew: 815-0570
Hsiao Kang Crew: 815-4274Tsoying Crew: 588-3485
Yen Cheng Crew: 533-0950
Sanmin West Crew: 316-4347
Sanmin East Crew: 392-0932
Hsin Hsing Crew: 238-7046
Chihchin Crew: 571-0816TOP Take me back to NEW VIEWS Archives
Web Site created by KBS
NEW VIEWS CULTURAL PUBLICATIONS, LTD. ©, 2001
all rights reserved