2025 Summer 深度環保對話—新竹愛心小隊專訪廖子齊議員 Deep Environmental Dialogue — Hsinchu Love Action’s Exclusive Interview with Councilor Liao Ziqi

2025年6月24日，由新竹愛心小隊主辦的環保議題專訪活動於今日下午4點至5點30分舉行，邀請到新竹市香山區議員廖子齊接受學生代表Christine Tsao、Angie Lo、Henry Chang 的專題訪談。

On June 24, 2025, the environmental issues interview event organized by the Hsinchu Caring Team was held from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. The event invited Hsinchu City Xiangshan District Councilor Chih-Chi Liao to participate in a special interview with student representatives Christine Tsao, Angie Lo, and Henry Chang.

在本次專訪中，我們與新竹市議員廖子齊對談，深入了解他如何走上環保之路，並從地方治理的角度，分享推動環境政策的挑戰與收穫。這場對話不僅是一次經驗的交流，更讓人思考地方與個人在環境行動中的角色與責任。

In this interview, we spoke with Hsinchu City Councilor Liao Tzu-Chi to gain insight into his path toward environmental advocacy. From grassroots experience to policy implementation, he shared the practical challenges and lessons learned in local governance. The conversation revealed not only personal motivation but also broader questions about our role in environmental change.

起點：從生活經驗中萌芽的環保意識

The Beginning: Environmental Awareness Rooted in Experience

廖議員提到，小時候曾親歷「香山綠牡蠣事件」與工廠的空氣污染，這些經驗讓他意識到，環境污染不是抽象名詞，而是直接影響居民生活品質的現實問題。之後，他讀到《環保一年不會死》這本書，開始實踐生活中的環保行動——從減塑、分類到反思日常消費。

「環保不一定要很大，很多時候是從一件一件小事開始。」

Councilor Liao recalled childhood memories of the "Green Oyster Incident" in Xiangshan and serious air pollution caused by factories. These events made it clear to him that environmental issues are not abstract—they directly affect quality of life.

Later, reading a book titled One Year of Environmental Protection Won’t Kill You inspired him to take small, consistent actions, such as reducing plastic use and improving waste sorting. "Environmental protection doesn’t have to be grand—it often starts with small things."

地方實務：政策推動與現實挑戰

Policy and Practice: Turning Advocacy into Action

談及當前環境政策的實務困境，廖議員坦言：「地方政府對環保議題的關注往往取決於是否有直接的壓力或民意關注。」在他的努力下，新竹市推動了包括乾淨水公投、香山濕地保育法、設立保育中心、循環杯等多項措施，讓環保議題不再只是倡議，而是具體落實的政策。

他指出，飲用水安全、垃圾減量與地方環保制度的不完備，仍是目前新竹面臨的重要挑戰。而環保工作，往往需要長期的投入與群體的推動，才能真正產生改變。

When discussing current environmental challenges in Hsinchu, Councilor Liao was frank: "Local governments often only prioritize environmental issues when there’s direct pressure or public outcry."

Despite this, he has worked to implement several initiatives, including the Clean Water Referendum, the Wetlands Conservation Act for Xiangshan, the establishment of a conservation center, and the promotion of reusable cup systems. These efforts show how environmental concerns can evolve from abstract ideals into actionable policies.

He emphasized that safe drinking water, waste reduction, and incomplete local systems are ongoing concerns in Hsinchu. Addressing them requires long-term commitment and collective effort.

環境教育：讓人「有感」才是關鍵

Environmental Education: Making People Feel the Urgency

廖議員認為，環保推廣的關鍵在於「如何讓人有感」。他直言，台灣在氣候變遷議題上關注度仍低，而教育系統對永續發展的培養多停留在知識層面，缺乏行動力與思辨歷程的引導。

「學生知道什麼是塑膠微粒、知道 SDGs，但知道和參與，是兩回事。」他強調，環境教育應強化批判思維與參與實踐的連結，才能真正內化為生活態度。

"The key to environmental promotion," he noted, "is making people feel its relevance." He pointed out that awareness of climate change remains low in Taiwan, even though the country is especially vulnerable as an island nation.

He also criticized the education system, saying it often focuses on knowledge rather than engagement. "Students may know what microplastics are or what the SDGs are, but knowing isn’t the same as participating."

He advocated for integrating critical thinking and real-world application into sustainability education to help transform awareness into meaningful action.

公民參與：從陳情到實際改變

Civic Engagement: From Complaints to Real Improvements

身為民代，他分享最多民眾陳情來自異味問題，尤其是養豬業者在夜間或雨天非法排放所造成的臭味擾民。他持續向環保單位反映，並要求實地稽查，逐步推動改善。

除了陳情回應外，他也關注民眾行為的轉變。例如環保杯、環保袋的普及，讓人們在日常生活中開始實踐環保。他說：「只要有行動，就會開始改變。」

As a public servant, Councilor Liao receives frequent complaints about odor pollution, particularly from pig farms that release waste during rainy nights. He consistently coordinates with environmental inspectors to investigate and follow up.

Beyond handling complaints, he’s encouraged shifts in daily behavior, such as using reusable cups and bags. "Action creates change," he remarked. "And once people feel it, they continue."

最深刻的經驗：污染事件與立法推動

Most Memorable Case: Pollution and Policy Change

對他來說，最深刻的事件發生在議員任職前。他曾接獲通報，某偏鄉溪流突然變紅。深入調查後，發現污染源來自一家上市公司棄置廢棄物。他積極與環保局合作，成功追查來源並要求妥善處理，最終讓污染現場恢復原貌，也獲得地方居民的高度肯定。

此外，他參與推動的「乾淨水公投」，原本並未受到市府支持，卻在公民三階段努力下最終通過，顯示了地方民意與公民參與的力量，也讓他堅信地方政策可以從下而上被推動。

One of the most impactful events he encountered happened before taking office. A river in a rural area suddenly turned red. Upon investigation, it was discovered that an industrial company had dumped waste illegally.

He worked with the Environmental Protection Bureau to trace the source, ultimately requiring the company to remove and properly handle the waste. The event left a lasting impression and reinforced his determination to pursue environmental accountability.

He also helped lead the Clean Water Referendum. Though initially unsupported by city officials, the initiative passed after three rounds of public action, showcasing the power of civic participation in pushing policy from the ground up.

給年輕人的建議：參與不能中斷

Advice to the Youth: Don’t Let Participation Break Off

訪談尾聲，廖議員反過來向學生提問，想知道目前年輕人最關注的環保議題。當學生提到淨灘時，他回應：「淨灘本身無法解決根本問題，但它是一個讓人意識到環境議題的起點。」

他也談到學校種植計畫、共學合作社的經驗，並強調：「地方與國際其實是有連結的。」他提醒，環保行動不應只是口號，更需要制度設計與教育思維的配合，讓年輕人的參與不至於中斷或失聯。

As the conversation drew to a close, Councilor Liao asked students what environmental issues they cared about. When someone mentioned beach cleanups, he responded, "Beach cleanups don’t solve the core of ocean pollution, but they raise awareness—and that matters."

He also shared experiences with school gardening programs and community co-ops, emphasizing that local and global actions are interconnected. "Sustainability isn’t just about slogans. It needs thoughtful design, educational systems, and ongoing youth involvement."

這場專訪不僅讓我們看見一位地方民代在環境議題上的積極實踐，也提醒我們，真正的永續，不只是制度的進步，更來自於日常中一點一滴的選擇與堅持。

This interview offered a close look at how one councilor transformed personal concern into public action. It reminds us that genuine sustainability is built not only on policy frameworks but also on daily choices and collective perseverance.