How Hong Kong can survive rising seas – see CWR’s New 8-Factsheet Survival Guide
CWR releases a new 8-Factsheet Survival Guide to help Hong Kong navigate and survive rising seas, which pose multiple existential threats to the region. The HKSAR is behind other island financial hubs: New York and Singapore are using projected levels of rising seas for adaptation planning that are 4-6x HK’s!
If HK gets it wrong, up to 82% of the HKSAR’s revenue streams could be underwater. Plus, we could lose our homes, critical infrastructure and basic needs to permanent submersion unless we take proactive action to effect transformative “low-regret” adaptation for locked-in multi-metre sea level rise. Sadly, the poor will suffer more than the rich from coastal threats. But even the rich, high up in the Peak may not be safe as the entire HK Island could be stranded from rising seas.
Climate threats are accelerating. New York and Singapore have clearly thought these escalating risks through, and are planning adaptation for 2-3m of sea level rise (SLR) by 2100. So must Hong Kong re-examine its exposure to coastal threats and be climate ready – there is simply too much at stake if we get adaptation levels wrong! The SAR government must select the right levels to futureproof its revenues, protect homes and trade from going underwater, and secure basic needs as well as local connectivity routes as they are all low-lying.
“We’ve prepared this set of 8 factsheets so that Hong Kongers can “see” these risks for only then can we lean into them to see the opportunities” explained CWR’s Dr. Low. “Why can’t the Northern Metropolis be a state-of-the art futureproof coastal hub that is not just vibrant but resilient to rising seas and searing heatwaves? It could be a grand pilot that showcases transformative adaptation for other coastal cities in the world” he added.
Invest wisely in the future … arm yourself with knowledge from our 8-Factsheet Survival Guide for HK to survive rising seas – they are stuffed full of startling as well as alarming facts that are essential for this changing climate. Start to Re-IMAGINE HK now!
Access the factsheets below; see Press Release here or contact us.