Building your city's climate resilience, now | Natalie Chung | TEDxTinHauWomen

Summary

This script narrates a Hong Kong-based ecotourism entrepreneur's eye-opening experience in Antarctica, witnessing the effects of climate change firsthand. It highlights the urgency of climate resilience, especially for coastal cities like Hong Kong, which faces increasing threats from extreme weather and rising sea levels. The speaker advocates for community engagement, smarter consumer choices, and embracing nature-based solutions to combat climate change, showcasing examples of Hong Kong's efforts towards becoming a sponge city and implementing green infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Climate change is accelerating, with Antarctica experiencing record low sea ice and the potential for significant environmental impacts by the end of the century.
• 🔔 The speaker's personal wake-up call to climate change occurred in Antarctica in 2023, witnessing the dramatic collapse of an iceberg and its effects.
• 🌍 The role of the ocean in climate change mitigation and resilience building is crucial, with the speaker participating in an Antarctic climate expedition to explore this.
• 🐟 Hong Kong, being a major hub for fish farming, is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as extreme weather events.
• 🏙️ Urban areas like Hong Kong, with high-rise buildings and advanced technology, are not immune to climate change and must prepare for its effects.
• 🌧️ Recent extreme weather events, including super typhoons and record-breaking rainfall, highlight Hong Kong's vulnerability to climate change.
• ⚠️ Hong Kong is at risk due to its coastal location, subtropical climate, and high risk of landslides, with potential for flooding by 2100.
• 🌳 The importance of nature-based solutions, such as planting trees and protecting coastal ecosystems, is emphasized for carbon storage and climate adaptation.
• 💧 The ocean's role in climate regulation is significant, absorbing 25% of carbon emissions and helping to stabilize land temperatures.
• 🏞️ Hong Kong is implementing 'blue-green' infrastructure, integrating water elements with green spaces to create a sponge city effect for flood mitigation.
• 🌱 The speaker advocates for community engagement and learning from indigenous and coastal communities for traditional knowledge in climate adaptation.

Q & A

What was the speaker's wakeup call regarding climate change?

The speaker's wakeup call was when they were in Antarctica in early 2023 and witnessed a massive chunk of an iceberg collapse, triggering a mini tsunami.

What is the current situation of sea ice in Antarctica?

Antarctica is hitting a record low in sea ice, with a significant decrease observed during the Antarctic climate expedition.

Who led the Antarctic climate expedition mentioned in the script?

The Antarctic climate expedition was led by pioneering women marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.

What role does the ocean play in mitigating climate change?

The ocean plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing 25% of carbon emissions and helping to stabilize the Earth's average temperature.

How is Hong Kong affected by climate change?

Hong Kong is affected by climate change through more extreme weather events, including the heaviest hourly rainfall since records began in 1884 and the impact of super typhoons.

What are the risk factors that make Hong Kong vulnerable to climate change?

Hong Kong's vulnerability to climate change is due to its coastal location, subtropical climate, and high risk of landslides.

What is the potential impact of global temperature rise on Hong Kong by 2100?

With the potential global temperature rise and rising sea levels, parts of Hong Kong could be completely flooded by 2100.

What is an example of blue-green infrastructure mentioned in the script?

An example of blue-green infrastructure is the revitalization of the Kaiak River, which includes elements like rivers, wetlands, and green spaces like trees and parks to absorb and purify rainwater and wastewater.

What is the significance of the Sereer Carbon Building in terms of climate adaptation?

The Sereer Carbon Building is significant as it features rooftop solar panels, artificial wetlands, and water harvesting and recycling systems, demonstrating an integration of engineering solutions for climate adaptation.

What is the role of wetlands in nature-based adaptation to climate change?

Wetlands play a crucial role in nature-based adaptation by protecting coastlines from erosion, buffering against higher sea levels and waves, and acting as natural carbon sinks.

What are the three actions suggested by the speaker for individuals to contribute to climate resilience?

The three actions suggested are: 1) Rebranding our perception of the ocean as a living marine organism, 2) Being smarter consumers by choosing sustainable seafood options, and 3) Learning from and engaging with indigenous and coastal communities to apply traditional knowledge in modern contexts.