Is the world ready for climate change?

We are finally escaping from the broiling heat as we enter the fall season. With climate disasters happening one after another, this summer may perhaps be the strongest evidence that climate change is no longer just a looming threat.

Deadly heatwaves swept through the northern hemisphere, hitting India and Europe to China and more.[1]A UK airport had to suspend flights when the runway buckled from the extreme heat.[2]China—also suffering from a record-breaking drought—lost hydropower and stopped shipping as Yangtze River fell to historical lows.[3]

Luton Airport runway melts due to extreme heat (Image source: Today Times)

The Yangtze River is at record low levels since 1865 (Image source: SCMP)

Following the heatwave, heavier than normal monsoon rains and melting glaciers led to one of the deadliest floods in history for Pakistan.[4]One-third of the country drowned, killing over 1,500, displacing 33 million people, and causing at least US$30 billion in damages.[5]

Devastating floods in Pakistan (Image source: Inside Climate News)

Climate change is here, but are we prepared for the consequences?

In a survey commissioned by the World Economic Forum, people from 34 countries were interviewed on their perceived climate impact on their communities.[6] People seem to have become more cognisant of climate change—as more than half said they are already severely affected by climate change. Further, over 70% believed that it will have a severe impact on their community in the coming decade.

Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum (Image source: Ipsos)

Yet curiously, despite being a victim of extreme weather events in recent years, people living in China are among those surveyed that are the least likely to think they will be severely affected in the future—second only to Malaysians.

Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum (Image source: Ipsos)

Climate awareness may be improving, but it is clear that the world still is not taking the threat of climate change seriously enough. In fact, the UN secretary-general warned that the global climate response is falling short of what we need to limit global warming to 1.5°C;[7]it is also unfair to the climate-vulnerable communities that were not big emitters.

Like many other urban cities, Hong Kong has long benefited from burning fossil fuels. It is now time to take the lead on climate action and cut emissions. For example, we can decarbonise Hong Kong’s electricity by investing and developing renewable energy in the region. We can reduce energy consumption by mandating better building design practices and moving away from car dependency. And we can also capture carbon by protecting and enhancing natural carbon sinks like forests and mangroves.

The low-carbon transition is not just about limiting the impacts of climate change and getting out of the gravest crisis humanity has ever faced; it is also about protecting the environment with more sustainable lifestyles, improving our health and wellbeing with cleaner air, and creating equality with greener jobs.