A 'Dimly' Viewed Protest Against Air Pollution

A citywide 'lights out' organized by environmentalists as a protest against the city's poor air quality failed to generated enthusiasm from residents or support from officials.

1 minute read

August 10, 2006, 8:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Few turned off their lights at the scheduled 8 p.m. (1200 GMT), and much of the city's high rise towers and busy harbor fronts remained lit up as they usually are.

'There was a bit of a dim,' said organizer Alastair Robins, who watched the scene from Victoria Peak -- Hong Kong island's highest point. 'It wasn't great, it wasn't what we were hoping for.'

Despite this, Robins said the campaign had raised awareness about Hong Kong's need to reduce energy usage -- with the two local coal-based power companies regularly blamed as the city's worst polluters."

Wednesday, August 9, 2006 in CNN.com

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

3 hours ago - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

4 hours ago - Gothamist