Air Clean Taiwan (ACT) is a
civil organization founded in 2011 by Dr. Yeh Guang-Perng, a gynecologist at
Changhua Christian Hospital. ACT (literally translated as “Action Coalition for
Healthy Air in Taiwan”) was formed by members of the Changhua Medical Alliance
(CMA) in response to the growing number of people suffering from air
pollution-related illnesses in Taiwan.
In 2016, ACT became a formally-registered national organization,
with the majority of its board members being medical practitioners. They are
passionate about their belief that all people deserve to breathe clean air. ACT
has been working to bring awareness about air pollution to the public through
community education, social media campaigns, and marches across multiple cities
in Taiwan. They have actively encouraged the Taiwan Authority to be more
transparent about pollution data and fought to persuade all levels of
government to commit to clean environmental initiatives through petitions,
letter-writing campaigns, press releases, and protests.
ACT relies on the expertise of medical, public health, environmental
science, and legal experts to make policy decisions and recommendations.
Whether serving on the ACT board, acting as advisory scientists, or leading
local chapters, many ACT members are available for speaking engagements, media
interviews, and expert testimony.
News and Press Releases
Read current news, statements, and updates
from Air Clean Taiwan:
“Protesters urge
Yunlin to not extend FPCC permits,” Taipei Times (Jun. 11, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/06/11/2003672327
“Groups march in central Taiwan to protest
air pollution,” Focus Taiwan (Jun. 10, 2017) - http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201706100021.aspx
“Groups to rally for 100% renewable energy
policy,” Focus Taiwan (Jun. 6, 2017) - http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201706060026.aspx
“Medical
professionals rally for participation in WHA,” Taipei Times (May 22, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/05/22/200367103
“Protesters call on Yunlin not to renew
coal licenses,” Taipei Times (May 13, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/05/13/2003670496
“Cabinet’s air pollution controls lack
focus: groups,” Taipei News (Apr. 15, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/04/15/2003668760
“Kaohsiung and
Taichung rallies call for clean air,” Taipei Times (Feb. 20, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2017/02/20/2003665321
“Photo of the Day: Anti-air pollution
protests in central and southern Taiwan
- Protesters call for the government to
return clear skies back to them,” Taiwan News (Feb. 20, 2017) - http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3099951
“Thousands Show Up for Air Pollution
Protest in Taiwan,” The News Lens, Feb. 21 (2017) - https://international.thenewslens.com/article/62010
“Thousands Protest Against Air Pollution in
TaiChung and KaoHsiung,” PTS News Network (Feb. 20, 2017) - http://news.pts.org.tw/article/350063
“Kinmen's air quality has improved most,”
PTS News Network (Feb. 15, 2017) - http://news.pts.org.tw/article/349576
“Groups question tests on students’
pollutant levels - EXPERT FOR RENT? The professor who conducted the
examinations has had several studies commissioned by Formosa Petrochemical
Corp, an advocate said,” Taipei Times (Feb. 8, 2017) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/02/08/2003664576
2016
“Central regions
demand national action on air pollution,” Taipei Times (Dec. 20, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/12/20/2003661572
“Environmentalists criticize newly adopted
air quality standards as too lax,” Formosa News (2016/12/19) - https://youtu.be/5IA6lDlXsGI
; http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/Read.aspx?sno=9D3279205B0CA341A11A119B51FEE712
“Should We be Concerned about Surgical
Smoke in the Operating Room?” Dr. Guang-Perng Yeh, Keynote Speaker, 17th
Asia-Pacific Association for Gynecologic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive
Therapy Annual Congress & 2016 TAMIG Annual Congress (November 4-6, 2016) -
https://www.tamig.org/apage2016/guest/
“Workers of Changhua plant to stage third
protest today,” China Post (Oct. 14, 2016) - http://annx.asianews.network/content/workers-changhua-plant-stage-third-protest-today-30419
“Thousands rally against power plant in
Changhua - DISCONTENT: Protesters demanded that the county stand firm on its
emission requirements despite pressure from Formosa Chemicals and Fibre Corp,”
Taipei Times (Sept. 19, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/09/19/2003655443
“Environmentalists protest against
coal-powered plant in Changhua,” Focus Taiwan (Sept. 18, 2016) - http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aSOC/201609180014.aspx
“Only Taitung offers clean air in EPA’s latest evaluation,” Taipei
Times (Aug. 5, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/08/05/2003652495
“Formosa Plastics
appeals against strengthened emissions tests aimed at Changhua factory,”
Formosa English News (July 15, 2016) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgEuYlCrjOc
; http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/Read.aspx?sno=0426FF67FECF5EB9DEDFCA89CDDE1A13
“FEATURE: Temples go ‘green’ to battle
pollution - SUBSTITUTE: The Nan Yao Temple is playing firecracker CDs instead
of setting off the real thing and requesting worshipers to clap their hands to
make smoke-free noise,” Taipei Times (May 17, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/05/17/2003646475
“Deities caught in Taiwan's dirty war,” The
Standard (May 13, 2016) - http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=169259&fc=13
“Taiwan Temples Forsake Tradition for
Environmental Responsibility,” (May 11, 2016) - https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/taiwan-temples-forsake-tradition-for-environmental-responsibility
“Religion goes green in Taiwan pollution
battle,” Daily Mail (May 9, 2016) - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3580358/Religion-goes-green-Taiwan-pollution-battle.html
“Environmentalists urge devotees to reduce
pollution,” Taipei Times (Mar. 17, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/03/17/2003641791
“Clean air alliance releases pollution
level ‘yearbook’ - Chronicles of Quality: EPA data from 2012 to last year were
analyzed using PM2.5 measurements …” Taipei Times (Jan. 6, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2016/01/11/2003636945
“Only clean air in the nation is in
Hualien, Taitung - PAPER TIGER? Criticized for not doing more to curb
pollution, the EPA said it had established more than 200 sets of regulations on
traffic, industrial emissions,” Taipei Times (Jan. 7, 2016) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/01/07/2003636609
“1226 National anti-air pollution demo –
related reports,” PeoPo (Jan. 5, 2016) -https://www.peopo.org/news/296919
2015
“Green groups
march for phase out of fossil fuels,” China Post (Dec. 27, 2015) - http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2015/12/27/454546/green-groups.htm
“Mask the Presidential Hall: Taiwanese walk
for reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission and Air Pollution!”, PeoPo (Dec. 27, 2015) -
https://www.peopo.org/news/295965
“Hundreds rally in Taipei for right to
cleaner air”, Taipei Times (Dec. 27, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/12/27/2003635777/1
“Air pollution awareness growing,” Taipei
Times (Dec. 26, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2015/12/26/2003635676
“Protesters call for government efforts
against air pollution,” Focus Taiwan (Dec. 26, 2015) - http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201512260031.aspx
“Activists urge government action to reduce
pollution,” Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network, (Dec. 24,
2015) - http://www.aecen.org/node/1985
“Deadly Air Pollution In Taiwan Makes Daily
Breathing A Luxury,” Taiwan Church News (Dec. 23, 2015) - http://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentID=C2015122300009&strDesc=&strSiteID=&strPub=&strCTID=&strASP=enNews_tcn
“Air pollution
hits critical levels - ‘TOO GENEROUS’:The EPA’s standards aimed at limiting the
emission of harmful gases are only a fraction of international levels, a
professor said,” Taipei Times (Dec. 19, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/12/19/2003635162
“Doctors gather to urge air pollution
legislation as poor air quality persists,” China Post (Dec. 7, 2015) - http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2015/12/07/452854/doctors-gather.htm
“Lung Cancer Cases Increasing in Taiwan and
Medical Community Calls On People to Demonstrate against Air Pollution,” The
News Lens (Dec. 7, 2015) - https://international.thenewslens.com/article/32127
“Pediatricians call for solutions to air
pollution issues,” Taiwan News (Dec. 6, 2015) - http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/2847744
“Protests target Taichung science park and
TSMC -SHAM SORRY: Environmentalist Yeh Guang-peng gave a mock apology on behalf
of Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung, saying that Lin had not fulfilled a clean-air
vow,” Taipei Times (Nov. 29, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/29/2003633603
“Taipei to propose plans for reducing air
pollution: Ko,” Taiwan News (Nov. 15, 2015) - http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/2836688
“Campaigners
appeal for air quality improvements”, Taipei Times (Nov. 1, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/11/01/2003631434
“Fine particulate matter is a hidden killer that affects everyone,”
Formosa News (July 26, 2015) - http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/read.aspx?sno=7E04868284C38F002C0E7097A246E6A0
“People of central Taiwan left waiting for
the government to fight air pollution,” FTV News (July 19, 2015) - http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/Read.aspx?sno=B0839E1EA6FED25ED6EA9456D5AE3175
“Public Health Leadership and
Entrepreneurship” Discussion Meeting (1): NGO and Public Health, College of
Public Health, National Taiwan University (Jun. 11, 2015) - http://coph.ntu.edu.tw/en/news/Featured_Stories/%E2%80%9CPublic-Health-Leadership-and-Entrepreneurship%E2%80%9D-Discussion-Meeting-1-NGO-and-Public-Health-46711066
- Dr. Guang-Peng Yeh stood for Action Coalition for Healthy Air in Taiwan. He
introduced the air pollution issues and the Anti-Kuokuang Petrochemical Project
Movement.
“Nationwide rallies decry air pollution - FACELESS: College students
accused the Environmental Protection Administration of ignoring the concerns of
the public regarding the nation’s deteriorating air quality ”, Taipei Times
(Jun. 7, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2015/06/07/2003620107
“Groups demand air quality action,” Taipei
Times (Apr. 17, 2015) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/04/17/2003616142
2014
“Air quality worst
among ‘Tigers,’” Taipei Times (May 13, 2014) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/05/13/2003590245
2013
“Dirty air ‘harms
infants, children,’” Taipei Times (Apr. 3, 2013) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/04/03/2003558688
2012
“Taiwan
outsourcing Pollution to Malaysia? - After protest stalls giant petrochemical
in Taiwan, plans are to build it in Malaysia,” Asia Sentinel (July 27, 2012) -http://www.asiasentinel.com/econ-business/taiwan-outsourcing-pollution-to-malaysia/
“EPA holds hearing on inclusion of PM2.5 in
air quality standards,” Central News Agency (Mar. 2012) - http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1857535
2011
“Oil refinery snub
marks arrival of Taiwan's environmental movement,” The Christian Science
Monitor (Apr. 26, 2011) - http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0426/Oil-refinery-snub-marks-arrival-of-Taiwan-s-environmental-movement
“Taiwan slams brake on $20 bn petrochemical
project,” Phys. Org. (Apr. 22, 2011) - https://phys.org/news/2011-04-taiwan-slams-bn-petrochemical.html
“After nine hours, still no verdict on
Kuokuang’s EIA,” Taipei Times (Apr. 22, 2011) - http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/04/22/2003501382
“Petrochemical plant continues to plead its
case despite environmental concerns,” Formosa News (Apr. 21, 2011) - http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/read.aspx?sno=7C6DCDDF85ADAD15FEE06AB7EE6F7063
“Anti-Kuokuang activists heckle Ma,” China
Post (Apr. 4, 2011) - http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/04/04/297272/p1/anti-kuokuang-activists.htm
“Protesters shout down president when he
declines to oppose petrochemical project,” Formosa News (Apr. 3, 2011) - http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/Read.aspx?sno=D6DF1978C986A11E2794394EFE22FC46
“Protesters say Kuokuang project would
damage wetlands, pollute air,” Formosa News
(Apr. 3, 2011) - http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/read.aspx?sno=AF6B74326E07A4A2C2BEC63BB39EA5FF
More news and press releases in Chinese:
1. The Effects of PM2.5 Air Pollution on Health: “Hold down PM2.5, Keep
your Good Health” Symposium (Aug. 19, 2012) – http://youtu.be/sYXivZD-kq4?list=PLCA2A7FD2B0F611F6
2. “The Effects of Fine-Particulates Air Pollution on Health and the
Countermeasures” Symposium (Dec. 25, 2011) -
Publications:
“PM2.5 &
Health” (in Mandarin), Medical Alliance for Public Affairs, Changhua, Taiwan
(March 2011) - http://www.slideshare.net/zoayzoay/2-pm-2597x210
https://youtu.be/LWBVGaJuXsU [video (13:19)]
Songs & films to encourage people to fight
for clean air (in Taiwanese and Mandarin):
