News and Views

Climate Change and Hong Kong Ecology

With climate changing, there are changes underway, including in Hong Kong’s ecosystems, that indicate there is an urgent need for action.

As World Warms Hong Kong Remains Climate Unready

So here we are. The heating is on. No longer are we at a stage of predicting global warming may occur, with experts cautiously saying this or that weather event just might be attributable to climate change, in turn due…

Fewer Ferries, More Dolphins Near Southwest Lantau

WWF calls for urgent ferry traffic mitigation measures before cross-border traffic resumes Hong Kong, 21 July 2022 – Acoustic and visual monitoring conducted by WWF-Hong Kong (WWF) has revealed dramatic increases in Chinese white dolphin occurrences and more diverse dolphin behaviours since…

Typhoon Chaba set for landfall west of Hong Kong

Chaba has recently intensified to typhoon strength. Has a large eye on radar images, with rainbands across wide area – inc passing over Hong Kong (though rain here not so intense just now). The track is not as much to…

Severe Tropical Storm Chaba Nearing Hong Kong

The tropical cyclone now named Chaba has intensified to Severe Tropical Storm strength – intensifying rather more and faster than forecast; perhaps another storm development influenced by climate change. Looks set to make landfall as a typhoon; and T8 signal…

Maybe Stormy Weather for Hong Kong as July 2022 Begins

In past few days, computer forecast models have indicated a chance of stormy weather developing over the South China Sea near Hong Kong at the beginning of July. Updating on evening of 29 June. The T1 signal is in effect,…

Threats and changes to Hong Kong insect populations

While there's no apocalypse now in Hong Kong's insect world, threats and changes are cause for concern - including for us humans

AFCD launches Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched the Hong Kong Biodiversity Information Hub (HKBIH) (bih.gov.hk) today (1 March 2022) aiming to foster a better understanding of local biodiversity by members of the public. The HKBIH is a one-stop website…

Impressions of Yi O, Lantau: From Shock and Anger, to Affinity and Hope

Yi O, by a small bay of the same name south of Tai O on Lantau, was for some decades an abandoned area. As in much of Hong Kong’s less accessible New Territories, making a living through farming was tough,…

Country Parks – the Best Idea Hong Kong Ever Had

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A “few clear-sighted men” promoted Hong Kong country parks against a background of apathy and vested interest.

LNG Terminal

Stephen IP GBS JP,Secretary for Economic Developmentand Labour Bureau, RE: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Receiving Terminal and AssociatedFacilities As part of the PublicConsultation towards the aforementioned project, I would be grateful if theGovernment would for the record consider my…

Severe Typhoon Mangkhut highlights perils of massive reclamation by Lantau

Typhoon Mangkhut helped show “storm surge” is a threat to modern cities, not just something for the history books.

Typhoon Jebi a Warning for East Lantau Metropolis aka Lantau Tomorrow Vision

To anyone concerned about plans for Lantau Tomorrow Vision, the clobbering of Kansai by T Jebi should indicate it's a Really Bad Idea.

Rural Visitor Numbers Surging

Some places in the countryside can be crowded nowadays, perhaps with queues waiting to start on trails.

Mad Lantau Metropolis Plans Should be Scuppered by Storm Surge Threat

A consideration of science suggests the reclamation plans, including for East Lantau Metropolis are foolhardy, even irresponsible.

Shek Kwu Chau Incinerator Dodgy Dealings and Outrageous Claims

Government Policy Not Followed; Waste Not Reduced - as Incineration Made Priority

Hong Kong Marine Refuse is Throwaway Society Issue

Powerpoint presentation I gave at Inter-departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines - Engagement Session with Community Groups meeting.

As Hong Kong Sizzles the World Keeps Warming

While climate change may have long seemed an issue for hardcore, tree-hugging environmentalists, concerns are spreading.

Baby birds suffer from Hong Kong police procedure

HK police procedure can't cope properly with baby birds from fallen nest.

Bad Science and Hong Kong’ Rubbish Strategy

There has been considerable brouhaha over Hong Kong’s waste strategy, especially plans to expand three landfills plus build an incinerator on an artificial island by Shek Kwu Chau – which passed two votes in the Legislative Council, but were then…

Science and Hong Kong country parks and the three not so wise men

It seems country parks are under threat, through village housing in enclaves, and the government may see land as ripe for development.

Cape Town could teach Hong Kong about tourism

I’m fascinated to look around Cape Town, partly as I’ve found it mentioned in a report on cities and biodiversity, according to which ecotourism is among the significant benefits Cape Town derives from the natural environment.

Sai Kung Threatened Beauty Spots

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Four of the best Sai Kung rural gems to explore, where you might support small local businesses and hope developers stay away.

Typhoon Haiyan Lessons for Hong Kong

Typhoon Haiyan was among the strongest storms on record, and devastated a swathe of the Philippines. A storm surge was most damaging; and surges have hit Hong Kong.

Protecting biodiversity should involve all Hong Kong people

BSAP seems barely a blip in the history of HK conservation, an acronym for a document that meant little at the time, and next to nothing now.

Mai Po Marshes to 2013 – 30 Years of the Magnificent Yet Threatened Wetland

Mai Po Marshes has become one of the world’s greatest wetland reserves – and a place I’ve come to know well over the years. Indeed, Mai Po was a key factor that enticed me to come and live in Hong…

Native flora could make West Kowloon cultural park a showcase for biodiversity

There's a tremendous opportunity to showcase Hong Kong biodiversity in West Kowloon cultural park.

Biodiversity Strategy Seems the Last Best Hope for Wild Hong Kong

A government plan to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity could offer the last best hope for Hong Kong's wildlife.

依我看來，政府必須首先結束對焚化爐的偏執

那麼，我們應該怎麼辦？依我看來，政府必須首先結束對焚化爐的偏執。如果我們不興建焚化爐，香港不會突然滿佈垃圾；大失所望的，就只有對數以十億計預算虎視耽耽的大小公司。 So what should we do? In my view, the government must first end its obsession with incinerators. If we don’t build incinerators, Hong Kong won’t suddenly be filled with garbage; the only ones who will be disappointed are the…

Hong Kong Plan B waste strategy adopts zero waste and plasma arc to avoid dump and burn

Hong Kong government aims to dump and burn waste, and has no Plan B. Instead, it should develop a strategy that will energise Hong Kong by targeting zero waste to landfills and incinerators. I’m among the opponents to the Shek…

Biodiversity and Hong Kong city parks

I was recently among a small group of people from Living Cheung Chau and the Association for a Beautiful Hong Kong who visited an urban park in north Cheung Chau together with a team from the Leisure and Cultural Services…

Here’s to the crazy ones – striving for a better world

what does it mean to be a crazy environmentalist? Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but can tell of some of the things I’ve done in the past month

Air filters and masks little help vs severe air pollution

Can you do anything to protect yourself against air pollution? Answer: you can try, but the best way is to have cleaner air; or even move!

Why is Environmental Protection Department like an incinerator salesman?

The Environmental Protection Department is extremely biased in favour of the Shek Kwu Chau incinerator, and seems unable to admit drawbacks with incinerators or really consider alternatives.

A Brief History of Hong Kong Sustainability Innovation

I recently received an email asking about the track record of innovation in sustainability in Hong Kong. “Sorry, can’t be too helpful here I think,” I replied. “Our track record of innovation in sustainability is probably terrible.” But the email did…