wfn.org | TCN: Focus on the Environment 1

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

Taiwan Church News begins 2009 by focusing on God’s creation –  our environment. As environment concerns escalate around us, we urge  Christians to take action as God’s faithful stewards. Below is our  coverage on some environmental issues in Taiwan.

>Taiwan Church News

>2967 Edition

>January 5~11, 2009

Toxic fumes from Kaohsiung Industrial Zone endanger residents

>Reported by Chen Yi-shuan

>Written by Lydia Ma

Kaohsiung Da-Fa Industrial Zone has spewed toxic fumes five times in one  month, causing nearby Chaoliao High school and Chaoliao Elementary  School students to seek emergency medical treatment. Members from  Chaoliao Presbyterian Church, located near the industrial zone, were  also among the victims. According to Chaoliao Church’s Pastor Lim  Hong-pin (Lin Fong-bin), fumes from the Industrial Zone often drift into  the neighborhood and the foul smell is a recurring phenomenon. Though  residents have reported the issue to authorities many times, nothing has  been done to alleviate the situation. The latest incident is not new,  but when it occurred five times within one month, the media took notice.  “Whenever average citizens take on big enterprises, citizens almost  always lose,” sighed Pastor Lim.

Pastor Lim has been pastoring at Chaoliao Church for 21 years. He has  also participated in the struggle between local residents and Da-Fa  Industrial Zone. Twenty years ago, residents fought against building oil  refineries in the Industrial Zone and Lim participated in protests led  by residents who advocated a clean environment for future generations.  At the time, government agencies and companies promised they would  definitely deal with industrial wastes carefully. However, the latest  incident has proved that they have not kept their word and the younger  generation who attend school just across the street from the industrial  zone are the ones bearing the consequences.

The latest incident has alarmed many parents who are now considering  transferring their children to other schools. This is an unfortunate  situation because many parents originally thought that attending a  small, rural school would enable their children to have a balanced  childhood that does not focus merely on academics and examinations.  After the latest incident, parents are now very worried about the health  of their children and Pastor Lim has already heard several parents  talking about transferring their children to other schools.

Pastor Lim’s own children graduated from Chaoliao elementary school  and high school. He insisted that they follow his footsteps by attending  a local school near home. The church has a close relationship with both  schools and has provided scholarships on occasion. Because of Chaoliao  residents’ concern about being exposed to toxic waste, the church  is also involved in educating the younger generation about environmental  issues. It has held children’s camp in the past to educate children  about the importance of taking care of their environment. The church has  also been partnering with the community in a recycling program and  proceeds of the program go toward scholarships. Since 1999, the church  has given out 18 scholarships from the proceeds of the program.

Pastor Lim shared that he felt very helpless about the latest toxic  spill and admitted that the church cannot do much. He continues to  attend town hall meetings on industrial pollution, but there are never  conclusive answers or solutions. It is in moments like these that he is  grateful that he can rely on God. Whenever his church members are  afraid, they will gather with other families to pray about their  concerns. Pastor Lim reminds everyone that toxic fumes are not confined  to Chaoliao alone, other cities also face similar problems. He urges  Christians to rise up, be good stewards, and do their part in protecting  the environment.

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