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
Please read the more recent news/updates from Air Clean Taiwan on our facebook.
 
2022
 

Environmentalists present three demands”, Taipei Times, (Aug. 16, 2022) –

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/08/16/2003783616

- "TSMC has applied for a phase 6 expansion plan for its facility in Taichung to build a 2-nanometer fab, which is to undergo a second phase of environmental impact assessment next month after being required to submit more documents, Air Clean Taiwan executive secretary Chao Hui-lin (趙慧琳) said.

“We represent many mothers with their families in Taichung, and we support TSMC’s new plan, as the company is the ‘silicon shield’ protecting our nation. However, at the same time, we also want zero carbon emissions to protect our city and our children’s future,” Chao said at a rally in front of the Taichung City Government."

TSMC Expands Factory at Central Taiwan Science Park 台積電中科擴廠 環團憂耗電.空汙問題”, Public Television Service, (Aug. 8, 2022) –

https://news.pts.org.tw/article/596210?fbclid=IwAR22nByah19CYaEtf4e3WQINnobV0bowxzh1LixLPvbRm7mVfKsrx2bYCvw

- "TSMC plans to expand a new plant in Taichung's Central Taiwan Science Park, but environmentalists worry that the power requirements of the new plant will mean very high levels of carbon emissions which can create health problems for the city's residents."

Lawmakers mull complete sanction on Russian fossil fuels”, Radio Taiwan International, (May. 31, 2022) –

https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2007625

- "Lawmakers are discussing whether Taiwan should completely sanction Russian fossil fuel imports. Taiwanese lawmakers and environmental activists met virtually with Ukrainian environmental lawyer Kostiantyn Krynytskyi on Tuesday to discuss Taiwan’s current energy imports.

Krynytskyi says that buying fossil fuels like coal and oil from Russia comes at the expense of innocent Ukrainian lives. He says that since the war in Ukraine began, Taiwan has become the second largest importer of Russian coal in the world, accounting for 10% of Russia’s exports. Krynytskyi says that Taiwan should completely sanction Russian fossil fuels because of the country’s war crimes in Ukraine. 

Environmental organizations in Taiwan are also protesting Russian fossil fuel imports. They say banning imports will help the country meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."

2021

 

Group walks for 30 hours to protest nuclear power - SYMBOLIC MARCH: The demonstrators represented the number of boroughs that would be evacuated if there were a disaster at the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant”, Taipei Times (Dec. 6, 2021) –
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/12/06/2003769106

- “Separately yesterday, a group rallied in front of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, urging people to vote “yes” for the referendum question on whether a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project should be relocated to protect algal reefs off Taoyuan’s Guanyin District. They called for the government to review the nation’s energy policy rather than resort to “emotionally blackmailing the public with fears of a power shortage.”

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Groups rebut minister’s LNG claims in debate”, Taipei Times (Nov. 15, 2021) –
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/11/15/2003767903

- “Chien Chien-wen, a member of the Changhua Medical Alliance for Public Affairs, said that by focusing on natural gas, the government was not effectively tackling the industrial causes of poor air quality in southern Taiwan. … Air Clean Taiwan chairman Yeh Guang-perng said that despite the concerns about air pollution caused by burning coal, which reportedly contributes to the deaths of 7.8 million people annually, natural gas is not a clean energy source and not a good alternative to coal.”
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“Subsidence worsening in Yunlin due to drought”, Formosa News (May 5, 2021) -
https://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/read.aspx?sno=E6421D0C7DAE295600C4A405D15F4F61

“Climate groups call for cleaner Kaohsiung air - DIFFERENT PRIORITIES: Residents of Kaohsiung prefer breathable air over holiday fireworks displays, a spokesman of South Taiwan Air Clear said”, Taipei Times (Apr. 5, 2021) -
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/04/05/2003755115
- “The groups demanded that the coal-fired Singda Power Plant (
興達) in Kaohsiung be closed; China Steel Corp, the nation's biggest steelmaker, close one blast furnace; the threshold for air pollution emergency response measures be lowered … The average life expectancy of Kaohsiung residents is the lowest among the nations six special municipalities, South Taiwan Air Clear spokesman Lee Chien-cheng (李建誠) said.

- “Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mais (陳其邁) … pledged that no new coal-fired power generators would be installed in the city and echoed the groups’ demand that the Singda Power Plant be retired by 2025.”

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2020
 
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LibertyTimes 20200808 3254334 2 1r
(Photo source: Liberty Times, August 8, 2020)
 
"Photos of the Day/Rally for Clean Air", Focus Taiwan (August 8, 2020)  
Members of environmental groups surround themselves with plants in Taichung Saturday before a march calling for action to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The city in central Taiwan is home to the nation's largest coal-fired power plant. 
20200808 FocusTaiwan Rally for Clean Air ENP0001lr
 
Mayor Lin Shixian had declared a Climate Emergency in Changhua City and committed to organizing a committee to help push deep cuts in greenhouse emissions on August 8, 2020. Changhua City becomes the first city in Taiwan to declare a Climate Emergency and getting ready to set aggressive zero-carbon goals.  - Liberty Times (in Chinese)
LibertyTimes LIn Mayor3253857 1 1
 
"Father's Day Message", Taipei Times (July 25, 2020) 
- Members of Air Clean Taiwan and other environmental groups hold placards that read: "Plead on hehalf of roadside trees" and "Walk for father's health" at the Civic Square in TaiChung City yesterday, urging the public to participate in their rally against air pollution on August 8, Father's Day. The rally is scheduled to start at 3pm at TaiChung Civic Square and finish in front of the Executive Yuan's Central Taiwan Joint Services Center in TaiChung City. 
Fathers Day Message r 
 
PM2.5 could cause lung cancer, group says”, Taipei Times/Taiwan News (July 26, 2020)
"Groups announce air pollution protest", Taipei Times (July 10, 2020)
2019
 
Groups march to demand action against pollution”, Taipei Times (Dec. 30, 2019)
Environmental groups to march against air pollution”, Focus Taiwan (Dec. 25, 2019)
Air Clean group calls for stricter PM10 standards”, Taipei Times (Dec. 10, 2019)
“Scholars: Taiwan Should Relocate Its Capital”, Common Wealth (May 27, 2019) 
Groups, students call for climate strike on May 24 - TAKE ACTION NOW: Taiwanese, and billions of other people, could become climate refugees, the students said, urging everyone to reduce their carbon footprint”, Taipei Times (May 6, 2019) 
 
2018
 
Protesters dispute Taichung air quality claims”, Taipei Times (Nov. 19, 2018)
Protesters march against government energy policy”, Taipei Times (Nov. 4, 2018)
Premier urged to scrap CPC gas terminal project”, Taipei Times (Oct. 3, 2018)
Higher than Usual Lung Cancer Incidence in Taiwanese Non-smokers”, Taiwan Business TOPICS (Mar. 14, 2018)
Move the EPA to central Taiwan: lawmakers”, Taipei Times (Jan. 19, 2018)
Air pollution surged last year: ACT”, Taipei Times (Jan. 5, 2018)
 
2017
 
THE NEW ANTI-AIR POLLUTION MOVEMENT: SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION IN TAIWAN”, Ming-sho Ho, Taiwan Insight (Dec. 23, 2017)
Thousands march for rights to breathe clean air”, Focus Taiwan (Dec. 17, 2017)
Thousands march demanding clean air”, Taipei Times (Dec. 17, 2017)
Taiwan Protesters Gear Up to Kibosh Coal”, The News Lens (Dec. 15, 2017)
Groups, lawmakers urge steps to combat pollution”, Taipei Times (Nov. 17, 2017) 
Effects of coal reduction ‘limited’”, Taipei Times (Nov. 13, 2017)
Facing Up to a Hot, Dirty 10 Years”, Common Wealth (Sept. 22, 2017)
 
Protesters urge Yunlin to not extend FPCC permits,” Taipei Times (Jun. 11, 2017) - 
Groups march in central Taiwan to protest air pollution,” Focus Taiwan (Jun. 10, 2017) - 
Groups to rally for 100% renewable energy policy,”Focus Taiwan (Jun. 6, 2017) - 
Medical professionals rally for participation in WHA,” Taipei Times (May 22, 2017) - 
“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
“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:
 
Symposiums organized by the ACT of Taiwan (in Mandarin):
 
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)]

"A Pilot Survey of Potentially Hazardous Trace Elements in the Aquatic Environment Near a Coastal Coal-Fired Power Plant in Taiwan",  Victor C Kok, Paul R Winn, Yi-Jer Hsieh, Jien-Wen Chien, Jer-Ming Yang and Guang-Perng Yeh, Environmental Health Insights, Vol. 13: 1-11 (2019).
 
Songs & films to encourage people to fight for clean air (in Taiwanese and Mandarin):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1qcG22eOtneml1ZllgTdn5wUXeN_J2cF

Coal-Free Taiwan Special Series (on YouTube in Chinese)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1qcG22eOtnd8rs4DtUh6CzZ2SLw7Y6If