About this blog series:
We believe that doing justice is key to understanding the gospel, especially to areas of life that society can often dismiss. As such, we want to hear from members of our congregation and their efforts in bringing God’s Kingdom on earth. For this blogpost we interviewed Chris Yang about environmental justice.
What area or aspect of justice are you involved in?
I am involved with environmental justice, specifically marine conservation. In January, I started working full time with A Plastic Ocean Foundation (APO), a Hong Kong NGO which, in addition to having produced an award-winning documentary, also runs many educational and social programs in Hong Kong for the underprivileged in Northwest New Territories. Our goal is to change everyone’s plastic use habits.
Why should God’s people take action? What does Scripture say about it?
Creation care is a very biblical concept. In Genesis 1, God created the heavens and the earth, and the first creatures he created were sea animals. In verse 26, it’s specifically written, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea…’” According to the UN, over 11 million tons of plastic waste is leaked into our oceans each year; this plastic is killing marine habitats. Yearly, over a million seabirds and 100,000 mammals are killed by plastic debris. Rather than caring for our marine animals, man is killing them through plastic leaked into the ocean.
How did God lead you to it, and what inspired you to get involved?
I moved to Hong Kong around eight years ago to start a career in solar renewable energy. I thought this career would allow me to make an environmental impact through my work. But over time, it was not moving the needle. I found that those around me in the industry were too focused on financial gain and creating environmental impact came in a very far second.
It has been quite sad to constantly see plastic waste in our environment. Even though we have many street sweepers in this city, I see surgical face masks, beverage cartons, and cigarette butts on the ground. Left there, these will fall into our sewers and be swept into the ocean. In Hong Kong, the plastic recycling rate is only 8%, this is well below the already low 18% global average.
During the pandemic, without the ability to travel and through the encouragement from my wife Jenn, I started to volunteer with APO to help them with some commercial trading projects. Towards the end of 2021, a managerial position opened up and I asked God if I should take this leap into the public sector, and here I am.
How has God impacted you through it?
I’m still quite new to the role, but God has given me a chance to see how NGO’s work and the passion people have towards environmental and social causes. My wife has been working and directly supporting NGOs her entire career, so the transition has been eased by her experience and advice. God has shown me personally that His Kingdom is paramount, and Kingdom work is very fulfilling. I can read and meditate on scripture with a deeper understanding and desire to serve God. Recently, I have been meditating on Psalm 46, in verse 4 it says, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God”. Looking at the current state of the rivers in the world, there is no gladness. So, man must work to restore these arteries of life.
What encouragement would you have for Watermark members to get involved?
Our goal is for people to change their plastic use habits, especially reducing plastic use wherever possible. The best way to start is to get informed. Our documentary will be on Outdoor Channel Asia starting in June, and should be back on Netflix in July. For those currently in Hong Kong, take some time to visit the Green@Community stores to learn which recyclables are accepted and in which condition. For example, beverage cartons and disposable coffee cups can be recycled if they are cut open and flattened.
My main role at APO is to help develop corporate partnerships, this includes educational sessions, recycling programs at offices, team building activities, etc. If your organization is interested to find out more, please reach me at christopher.yang@aplasticocean.foundation