As global temperatures continue to rise, Hong Kong is likely to experience fewer but more intense storms in the future, according to Lam Chiu-ying, a former director of the Hong Kong Observatory. Speaking on a radio program yesterday, Lam emphasized the urgent need for the city to bolster its preparedness for increasingly severe typhoons.
Lam reported that global average monthly temperatures have shattered records for the past 14 months, raising alarms about the future of Hong Kong’s climate. He noted that the Earth’s temperature has increased by 1.64 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution, a trend that he warned could lead to increasingly uncomfortable summers in the region.
“Starting July last year, we meteorologists have been alarmed by the monthly temperature spikes,” Lam remarked. “While we previously saw a gradual rise of less than a degree over the decades, the last year alone has seen a shocking increase of 0.4 to 0.5 degrees.”
This rapid temperature rise is a clear indicator of climate change, Lam stated, predicting that Hong Kong’s summers will become progressively hotter. He reminisced about the past when wearing light sweaters during the Mid-Autumn Festival was common. “Nowadays, I even see people in tank tops—it’s a visible sign of climate change,” he said.
The former observatory director highlighted that urban development, particularly the extensive use of concrete, exacerbates the heat, making summer conditions especially harsh for those living in densely populated areas. He pointed out that vulnerable populations, such as residents of subdivided units and outdoor workers, will bear the brunt of these rising temperatures.
In addition to increased heat, Lam warned of more frequent extreme weather events. “While the number of typhoons impacting Hong Kong may slightly decrease, their intensity is expected to rise,” he explained. He urged residents to prepare for storms as powerful as Typhoon Hato and Typhoon Mangkhut, which wreaked havoc in the region.
Lam also raised concerns about rising sea levels, noting that what was once considered a rare high tide event may become an annual occurrence by the end of the century. “We need to monitor not just the winds and rain but also the encroaching sea,” he cautioned.
Reflecting on the global climate crisis, Lam described climate change as the “most unfair thing,” highlighting the disparity between developed countries that contribute the most greenhouse gas emissions and developing nations that suffer the consequences. He urged Hongkongers to consider their role in environmental degradation and the need for collective responsibility.
Lam concluded by pointing out that many developed nations have not provided sufficient support to developing countries to help reduce emissions, thereby undermining global efforts to combat climate change.
As Hong Kong braces for a future marked by intense storms and scorching summers, the call for enhanced readiness and proactive measures has never been more pressing.
