Some perspective on climate change, please - South China Morning Post

Some perspective on climate change, please | South China Morning Post

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. I refer to “Stronger typhoons to batter Hong Kong” on the front page on August 6, which appears online with the far less alarmist headline, “ Are Hong Kong’s typhoons becoming stronger? Expect longer, more unpredictable storms, Observatory chief says ”. In either case, the Hong Kong Observatory’s data does not appear to support the predictions of its chief. My analysis of typhoon numbers over the last 22 years using the observatory’s data shows a slight decline for Hong Kong and the Western North Pacific compared to the long-term average – in other words, typhoons seem to have become less frequent. One must ask: what does the observatory’s director base his predictions on? If his predictions are based on modelling, what are the assumptions in the models? A 2001 study of 1,000 years’ worth of typhoon data in Guangdong – gleaned from fang zhi or semi-official local gazettes – found that two periods with the most frequent typhoon strikes (1660-1680 and 1850-1880) “coincide with two of the coldest and driest periods in northern and central China during the Little Ice Age”. It’s interesting that China – perhaps unique in the world – can access climate data over such a long period. It brings perspective to the prevailing narrative that all has gone to hell since we humans industrialised the economy and warmed the world. None of this is to deny that we ought to be making every effort to decarbonise. But we do need to be honest about the effects of climate change and not exaggerate them at every turn. That only leads to panicked reactions, which I believe we are seeing in many countries in the West. By contrast, China is prioritising energy security in pursuing decarbonisation of the economy – no net zero for China any time soon. Peter Forsythe, Discovery Bay 3 suggestions for protecting whales and pink dolphins I refer to the article, “Is death of Bryde’s whale a wake-up call for Hong Kong? Mammal’s demise prompts urgent appeals for action to protect marine wildlife, curb gawkers” ( August 5 ), as well as related letters. I agree that the government needs to take action to prevent another tragedy. At least three things could be done. First, the authorities should review the existing laws to see if they offer adequate protection for cetaceans appearing in Hong Kong waters. Currently, the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance prohibits the wilful disturbance of protected wild animals. But the ordinance would not seem to apply to those gawkers whose primary intent was to see the whale. Another ordinance worth looking into would be the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance , which the government already plans to amend to deter people from releasing animals into habitats where they are likely to suffer. Second, a cooperation mechanism between government departments should be set up. Even with relevant laws in place, officers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department might find it difficult to confront offenders and implement the laws. Police officers, as well as officers from the Marine Department, will need to help enforce the laws, especially in cases involving the dangerous use of vessels. Third, the government does not seem to have enough experts to deal with such incidents. It must work with experts from Ocean Park and universities – those who really know about cetaceans – to understand why the whale would end up in Hong Kong waters and not leave. If the whale was simply lost in local waters, a solution must be found before the next one appears, regarding how to guide such animals back to where they belong. These three suggestions are not just for protection of whales, which are rare visitors to Hong Kong waters, but also other cetaceans including pink dolphins , which are iconic to Hongkongers but rarely seen in local waters nowadays. Anson Chan, Guangzhou