Chang Kow-lung explained

Chang Kow-lung
Native Name Lang:zh-tw
Order:Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration
Term Start:8 June 2005
Term End:20 May 2007
Successor:Winston Dang
Nationality:Taiwanese
Alma Mater:Yale University

Chang Kow-lung (; born 1938) is a Taiwanese environmentalist who served as the Minister of the Environmental Protection Administration between 2005 and 2007.

Education and activism

Chang graduated from Yale University in 1968 with a Ph.D. in physics. He then taught at National Taiwan University starting in 1976 and participated in Taiwan's environmental movement beginning in the 1980s. In 1988, Chang founded a magazine, New Environment. Shortly afterwards, in 1990, he launched the Taiwan Environmental Protection Union. That year, he became a secretary in the Taipei City Government, where he worked for ten years. In 2000, Chang was named vice minister of examinations.[1] [2]

A noted anti-nuclear activist,[3] Chang has served as spokesman for the Nuke-4 Referendum Initiative Association.[4]

Environmental Protection Administration

Premier Frank Hsieh appointed Chang Kow-lung head of the Environmental Protection Administration on 8 June 2005.[5] That August, Chang announced a three-year plan to clean up the polluted Tamsui River.[6] The next month, Chang ordered sanitation companies to stop gathering kitchen waste to use as a component in pig feed, after discussions with the Council of Agriculture.[7] He also worked to pass laws regarding greenhouse gas emissions,[8] [9] [10] later starting a global warming awareness initiative.[11] Chang supported implementation of an ecotax for Taiwanese factories in 2006.[12] However, the next year, environmentalist Robin Winkler claimed that the EPA favored industry over the environment.[13] Chang then tried to sue Winkler for slandering the EPA.[14] Chang resigned his position in May 2007,[15] and was replaced by Winston Dang in June.[16]

Notes and References

  1. News: Shan. Shelley. Newsmaker: EPA chief Chang Kow-lung goes out fighting. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 22 May 2007.
  2. News: Chuang. Jimmy. SEF boss aims for 'permanent peace'. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 4 June 2005.
  3. News: Chiu. Yu-Tzu. Group to discuss Fourth Nuclear Power Plant plan. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 16 June 2000.
  4. News: Chiu. Yu-Tzu. Anti-nuclear group appeals to new premier. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 2 February 2005.
  5. News: Hsieh confirms new officials. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 9 June 2005.
  6. News: EPA drafts NT$1bn, three-year Tamsui River clean-up plan. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 23 August 2005.
  7. News: Collection of kitchen waste for pig feed to stop. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 9 September 2005.
  8. News: Make laws: conference. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 7 November 2005.
  9. News: Shan. Shelley. Feature: More needs to be done on climate change: activists. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 27 November 2006.
  10. News: Shan. Shelley. UK's climate review has a message for Taiwan too. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 4 November 2006.
  11. News: Shan. Shelley. EPA starts global warming campaign to educate the public. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 10 April 2007.
  12. News: EPA boss backs 'eco-tax'. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 10 March 2006.
  13. News: Shan. Shelley. EPA threatens to file suit over 'slanderous' remarks. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 19 May 2007.
  14. News: Oung. Angelica. EPA has to stop project, alliance says. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 25 May 2007.
  15. News: Shan. Shelley. Environmentalists want stronger green policies. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 21 May 2007.
  16. News: Premier confirms promotion. 16 February 2017. Taipei Times. 8 June 2007.