The Day Israel Bombs Gaza

On the day Israel bombs Gaza (again), it takes double effort not to lose hope -- perhaps more than what's needed to stop Reeves to destroy the human species in The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Photograph: The Guardian

In Memoriam: Gregoire (1942-2008)

In Memoriam: Gregoire, 1942-2008 from The Jane Goodall Institute on Vimeo.

Only a Chimpanzee

Gregoire, the oldest chimpanzee in Congo, Africa, passed away a few days ago. The e-mail from Jane Goodall Institute subjected "Sad News" summarizes his life and personality and provides a link to a video and more information about Gregoire. For a moment I did wonder if this has gone too far: after all he is only a chimpanzee. I caught myself there. What does it mean by "only a chimpanzee"? Does it mean that it is fine for a human being but not for a chimpanzee?

Then I remember the dogs who have shared their life with me. They are not only dogs. They have taught me a great many things that are not taught in school. The joy and sorrow of the cycle of life. The happiness of giving. They are not only dogs.

And to those whom his life has touched, Gregoire is not only a chimpanzee.

A Pledge: Reduce Paper Consumption

Just took a pledge to reduce paper consumption at WWF-International. Join me.

I pledge to avoid wasting paper in order to help share access to a limited resource.

I want to help to reduce the dramatically increasing paper consumption in the rich world which is connected, though irresponsible production, to threats to biodiversity, human rights abuses, land rights struggles, pollution and climate change.

By reducing my paper use I will give developing countries fairer access to paper and its benefits for cultural development, literacy and education.

I believe that my quality of life will not suffer if I use less paper. By doing so I will save money and create less waste.

I will:

• Print documents only when absolutely necessary.
• Proof documents on my computer screen rather than printing.
• Print everything double-sided.
• Stop picking up leaflets, fliers and other advertising
• Mail back advertising catalogues
• Recycle all paper I use
• Ask for recycled paper products
• Invite a friend to join this action

「人肉」監測器

可能是身受其害的關係，我覺得附近很多人也有過敏的問題。鼻子、哮喘、皮膚。有的朋友的孩子不能吃豆類，有的不能吃果仁，有的不能吃奶品。前幾天友人告訴我他兒子有個同學的過敏測試結果：全版都是X，即是對全部測試品都過敏。我對這孩子和他的父母感萬二分同情。以下是朱漢強的first hand story.

*****

「再見醫生！」一樂禮貌地跟醫生道別後，蹦蹦跳的「跳」離診所。一樂大概不知道，跟在兒子身後的我，此時此刻，心裏七上八下。清楚記得這一幕﹕「你兒子的氣管弱，很可能有哮喘。」醫生拿出一個長長的管狀物，示意一樂試凝神吸氣。「由1數到20。」他邊說，我一邊看管上有個隨吸氣起伏的氣孔，代表兒子吸舒張氣管的藥物；當數到20，氣管會舒服些。

3歲不到的一樂，難道日後要把「聞氣」，變成生活的一部分？

一樂媽如是寫﹕「一樂像咳了一個世紀那樣久。這半個月來，他每一晚都會咳醒，而且每次都很吃力的咳上十數分鐘。有時候，咳醒了，便索性樂滋滋的要到廳裏玩，可是也有像今日清晨那樣，哭鬧『唔要咳﹗唔要咳﹗』邊哭邊咳。」

哮喘是一種很常見的疾病。香港哮喘會網頁這樣形容﹕「本港的研究資料顯示，大約有百分之十至十五的兒童，及百分之五至十的成年人曾有哮喘的病徵……香港每年平均有七十至九十人死於哮喘病發，其中有二、三十人是死於精壯之年。」

不是想用「死亡數字」嚇唬大家，但在環保組織上班，明白空氣污染最愛欺負哮喘、心臟病患者。有時，那一口濁氣對活人的折騰，可以遠較「死亡」來得可怕。聽過有心臟病病患，但凡「空氣污染指數」（API） 爬升到100的「危險」水平，便不敢外出「玩命」，只能乖乖呆在家中靜躺。

「人肉」監測器

這些日子，我也學「睇天做人」，留意空氣質素的變化。很擔心有一日，阿仔會變成遠較API還敏銳的「儀器」，只要踏出家門吸一口空氣，便能用咳嗽和氣促的頻率，即時報讀空氣中瀰漫毒氣的分量。

我相信，香港有很多呼吸道系統病人，早已是「人肉版」空氣質素監測器，而且肯定較環保署的「空氣質素指標」（AQO）準確。

這樣說絕無半點誇張。香港的AQO，像本老掉牙的老黃曆，至今已不合時宜，無法反映香港真實的空氣質量。善於搞公關的政府，最近嘴巴說會採納世界衛生組織的空氣質素指標，卻原來只採用了世衛要求最低的指標，作為障眼法。想告訴大家，這套低門檻的標準，通常只有發展中國家才用；我們不是自詡亞洲的國際城市嗎？怎會那麼不濟？！

空氣污染指標的目的，理應是保障公眾健康，偏偏政府試蒙混過關。最近，請同事搜尋犯上哮喘的小朋友，去控訴政府在修定空氣污染指標上的麻木不仁。沒想到，案例，原來自家就有。

寫這篇稿時，兒子房間不斷傳來陣陣的咳嗽聲。記得一樂離開診所時那一句「再見醫生」。「再見」，總會再見，這兩個字，很磨人。我會努力調理孩子的身子，但我們政府，有撫良心為我們的下一代，認真地調理好香港的空氣質素嗎？

文﹕朱漢強（hkchu@foe.org.hk）