Page 4 - Hualien Sustainable Living Bilingual Magazine

Words from the Mayor What’s the first thing that travelers do when they set foot in Hualien? Oftentimes, they take a deep breath. Sandwiched between the Central Mountain Range and the vast Pacific Ocean, it seems only natural for Hualien to have fresher air than western Taiwan, but In 2015, the United Nations published the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which comprise 17 specific targets and actions to improve human life. And in Hualien, on the other side of the world from the UN, individuals and groups and corporations are leading by example, implementing sustainable actions in their respective fields of expertise and making “natural”should not be taken for granted. Modern civilization is being challenged by issues such as climate change, pollution, and damage to land and marine environments by human activity. As responsible members of the world, we can no longer simply“enjoy nature”. Instead, we must shoulder the responsibility of finding solutions to resolve the endless challenges facing the world. How do we ensure these gifts from nature are used in a sustainable way? How do we provide our children and grandchildren with a future they can look forward to? “sustainability”a part of everyday life. 1