＂Green Development＂ and Construction of ＂Zero Carbon Island＂
China xiaokang. com exclusive feature
Text | "Xiaokang" China Xiaokang.com reporter Yuan Shuai
On the premise of protecting the natural environment, island construction should seek the balanced development of multiple sustainable development goals, so as to realize the benign interaction between island construction and ecological protection and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of mankind and the healthy coexistence of the natural environment.
With the continuous advancement of ecological civilization construction, the concept of "zero carbon island" is becoming more and more popular. As the first "zero carbon island" of renewable energy in Shanghai, the first batch of implementation projects in hengsha island, Chongming District, Shanghai have also achieved grid-connected power generation; The Hainan Provincial Party Committee, the provincial government and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development decided to use three years (2022-2024) to jointly establish a zero-carbon demonstration zone in Dongyu Island, Boao, to create a zero-carbon demonstration model, and to show China’s green and low-carbon development concept, technology and practice to the world; The new energy passenger ship project of Dachen Island in Taizhou, the first batch of low (zero) carbon pilot towns in Zhejiang Province, has been demonstrated by experts and is expected to be completed by the end of the year and put into operation before the peak season next year. At present, Dachen Island can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45.6 tons per year by eliminating fuel vehicles and promoting full electrification of public transportation … However, how to effectively build a "zero-carbon island" to prevent it from being named after others is a problem that both local governments and project builders should consider.
Biodiversity can not be ignored is an ancient but very new discipline, and its importance can not be ignored. Image source /hellorf
Do a good job in biodiversity survey
Ensure synergy between island construction and climate objectives
"Island construction cannot ignore biodiversity, otherwise it will not succeed in the end." Zhou Jinfeng, vice-chairman and secretary-general of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (referred to as "Green Society"), bluntly said that island construction should seek the balanced development of multiple sustainable development goals on the premise of protecting the natural environment, and biodiversity investigation and protection is very important for island construction, with special attention to the synergy between green development and biodiversity. This means reducing the negative impact of development activities on the ecosystem, and actively considering the protection and restoration of biodiversity in the construction process. By comprehensively considering these factors, we can realize the benign interaction between island construction and ecological protection, and lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of mankind and the healthy coexistence of the natural environment.
Taking Hainan’s "Haihua Island" real estate development project as an example, Zhou Jinfeng analyzed that although the project was beautiful in design, it destroyed coral habitats from the perspective of biodiversity. In the end, after the project was heavily constructed, it had to spend a lot of money to demolish the building to make up for the ecological loss. Therefore, Zhou Jinfeng emphasized that the specialization work brought by the current industrial civilization is the greatness of industrial civilization, but it is also the regret and defect that needs to be avoided in the era of ecological civilization. We must pay attention to "integration" and "systematicness".
From the perspective of ecological civilization construction, how to build a "zero-carbon island" project, Zhou Jinfeng suggested that a biodiversity survey be conducted. "Without the basic data of local biodiversity, any so-called low-carbon or zero-carbon construction is inappropriate. Ecological goals, biodiversity goals and the guidance of ecological civilization are the inevitable requirements of this era, and one sustainable development goal cannot be sacrificed to achieve another goal. For example, in Shanghai Nanhui Dongtan, large-scale afforestation was carried out in places unsuitable for tree planting for the purpose of land greening and’ double carbon’, which actually destroyed biodiversity. Under the persistent appeals of the Green Club and local environmental volunteers, the central environmental protection inspector finally stopped this practice. Because the original goal of the project is wrong, it lacks a high degree of top-level design and comprehensive consideration. " Zhou Jinfeng bluntly said.
Therefore, it is very important to investigate and protect the biodiversity of islands. The reason for this is that the biodiversity survey provides key information to help people understand the species and ecosystems that exist on the island. Protecting biodiversity is a key measure to ensure the health and stability of the island ecosystem. It helps to maintain the ecological balance of the island, protect endangered species and habitats, and promote sustainable development and green economy.
Islands are usually rich in wind resources. Take Dachen Island as an example, the annual effective wind speed hours reach 7000 hours. At present, there are 34 wind turbines on the island, with an annual power generation of about 60 million kWh, which can reduce 45,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, equivalent to saving 18,000 tons of standard coal. At the same time, 80% of power generation on the island is used to feed back the land power grid. In this regard, Zhou Jinfeng reminded that people often think that "wind power" is green energy, but I am afraid it may not be. If not designed properly, it will be counterproductive and become an energy system that destroys the environment. In the construction of islands and the design of energy systems, special attention should be paid to biodiversity protection. The construction of energy system usually includes offshore wind power and photoelectric technology, which are widely used in island areas. However, while promoting the development of renewable energy, the impact on marine ecosystem and biodiversity cannot be ignored. For example, when building offshore wind farms, it is necessary to reasonably choose the layout of wind turbines and infrastructure construction to reduce the interference to the migration paths of birds, bats and marine migratory species. In addition, the construction of photovoltaic system should also avoid damaging the marine ecosystem, such as avoiding setting photovoltaic panels in coral reef areas to protect corals and their ecological functions.
"Only by comprehensively considering the needs of biodiversity and island construction and formulating appropriate planning and management strategies can we ensure the mutual promotion and synergy between island development and biodiversity protection. This is not only conducive to the livelihood and well-being of island residents, but also helps to protect the unique island ecosystem and leave a valuable natural heritage for future generations. " Zhou Jinfeng told reporters of Xiaokang magazine and China Xiaokang.com.
Focus on the protection of coastal wetlands
In all the work, Zhou Jinfeng found that many people’s understanding and knowledge of biodiversity is still relatively limited, even for highly educated doctors, including some life colleges and forestry majors. It is not that the higher the education, the deeper the understanding. He emphasized that biodiversity is an ancient but very new discipline, and its importance cannot be ignored.
"The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) points out that human activities and overuse are one of the important factors leading to the rapid loss of biodiversity. In view of the island construction, people’s task is not to completely ban the development, but to minimize the negative impact on the environment and ecology, and to minimize the damage and negative impact on the natural environment while realizing the sustainable development of mankind. In the process of island construction and development, the restoration and protection of the surrounding ecological environment should be considered at the same time. For example, in the process of island development, full consideration should be given to the protection and restoration of the surrounding coastal wetlands. According to the definition of the Convention on Wetlands, all waters with a water depth of less than 6 meters at low tide belong to the category of wetlands. These wetlands, including coastal marshes, mangroves, lakes and river deltas, are unique and rich ecosystems. They provide habitats, breeding grounds and food resources for many species. The wetland ecosystem has a high degree of biodiversity, is the habitat of many rare and endangered species, and is also an important site for migratory birds. " Zhou Jinfeng said.
Zhou Jinfeng pointed out that the wetlands around the island are not only a treasure house of biodiversity, but also have important ecological functions. They can buffer the impact of wind and waves in coastal areas and reduce the erosion impact of storm surges and waves on islands. Wetlands can also absorb and store a lot of carbon, which plays a positive role in climate regulation and mitigation of climate change. In addition, wetlands provide abundant fishery resources and support the livelihood and economic development of local residents.
In addition, the coastal wetlands around the island are also important resources for sustainable tourism, such as the development of tourism in Hainan. Zhou Jinfeng said that the "Global Responsible Tourism Award" is the highest honor in sustainable tourism and responsible tourism in the world, and there is no winner from China at present. It is necessary to build Hainan into a new location for the London World Tourism Fair, push China’s ecological civilization tourism to the world, and expand the world tourism fair to Hainan.
Zhou Jinfeng emphasized, "Generally speaking, building ecological islands and protecting coastal wetlands will not only help to maintain biodiversity, but also improve the environmental quality of islands, enhance their ability to resist natural disasters, and promote sustainable development and ecotourism. This requires that these factors should be seriously considered in the planning and design of green projects of new energy sources such as offshore wind power. In island construction, ecology, low carbon and economic development should be brought into the unified planning and decision-making process. Through reasonable ecological design and scientific management, the synergy between green development and biodiversity can be realized, laying a solid foundation for future island development, ecological health and human settlements. "
("Xiaokang" China Xiaokang. com exclusive feature)
This article was published in the next issue of Xiaokang in July 2023.