0: Logistics on Final Assessment Items: Quick

Q&A
Q: What topic should I pick? From within or
outside of the in-lecture ones? Can I have one
consistent theme across all three items? Can I have
multiple topics covered in one assessment item?
A: Up to you.
Q: What should the final reflection paper be upon?
A: What you think should be our response to
Climate Change at Hong Kong for 2100.
Q: Can we see some collage/video examples?
A: Will be shown and discussed at your
respective tutorials.
Q: How do I make videos? Any templates that can
be leveraged?
A: The quality of message delivery is valued
above the quality of the video itself, i.e. script is
more important than your visuals.
Examples that might make the video-making
easier for you:
Voice-over on still images with some/no
background music.
 Clips from
documentaries/movies/promotional videos
stitched together by slogans & scripts.
Q: Do we need to include references for either of
the three items?
A: Only for collage and videos materials as a
separate item on moodle. Practice
acknkowledgement of IP rights.
1: Introduction to Climate Refugees
Definition of Climate Refugees:
Individuals or groups compelled to leave their
habitual areas due to drastic changes in their
environment directly attributed to climate
change.
Factors contributing to displacement:
environmental degradation, escalating sea
levels, and extreme weather phenomena.
Known Environmental Catalysts:
Environmental Degradation: Land erosion and
loss of arable land, as seen in the Sahel region
of Africa, leading to decreased food security.
Sea-Level Rise: Low-lying island nations like
Kiribati facing existential threats, with some
communities already relocating.
Extreme Weather: Increasing frequency and
severity of hurricanes and typhoons, such as
Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, displacing
thousands.
1.1 Introduction to Climate Refugees (Conti’d)
Global Statistics:
As of 2020, the UNHCR reports over 80 million
forcibly displaced people worldwide, a number
that includes refugees, internally displaced
persons, and asylum-seekers.
Projections suggest a dramatic increase in
climate refugees, potentially reaching 1.2
billion by 2050 due to intensifying climate
impacts.
Scope of Discussion:
The issue sits at the crossroads of climate
change science, migration policies, and socio-
political dynamics, necessitating a
multidisciplinary approach to solutions.
Local Perspectives: Coastal cities like Jakarta
facing subsidence and flooding, amplifying
urban migration pressures. What does this mean
for HK?
Global Perspectives: The Arctic’s indigenous
communities witnessing rapid environmental
changes, affecting traditional lifestyles and
leading to relocation.
2: Climate Change and Displacement Drivers
Direct Environmental Impacts:
Desertification:
desert landscapes expansion,
e.g. encroachment of the Sahara Desert
diminishing arable land and affecting
agricultural livelihoods.
Glacial Melt: Regions dependent on glacial
water sources like Andes, facing water scarcity
as glaciers recede.
Rising Sea Levels: The gradual inundation of
coastal areas, exemplified by the gradual
submergence of parts of Bangladesh, displacing
communities.
Socio-economic Consequences:
Agricultural Disruption:
Changing rainfall patterns and droughts,
e.g. East Africa
impacting food production and livelihoods.
Economic Instability:
loss of homes and infrastructure, as seen in
the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the
 Philippines
economic downturns and displacement.
Resource Competition: Scarcity of water and
other vital resources.
Conflict and Destabilization:
Resource Conflicts: Competition over
dwindling natural resources, like water in the
Middle East
Climate-Induced Migration and Conflict:
Movements of populations clashes with
existing communities over resources.
Destabilization and Displacement: where
climate stressors contribute to political
instability, e.g. Syria
3: The Concept of Climate Refugees
Legal and Conceptual Challenges:
Non-recognition in International Law: Not
recognized in the 1951 Refugee Convention,
legal gap.
Definitional Ambiguities: lines between
voluntary and forced migration blurred,
complicating legal definitions.
Human Rights and Ethical Considerations:
Right to a Safe Environment:
Recognition that safe and stable
environment as a fundamental human right
in line with discussions around the UN’s
Human Rights Council.
Protection Gaps: Identifying the need for
international frameworks that specifically
address and protect individuals displaced by
environmental changes.
Emerging Debates and Solutions:
Expanding Legal Definitions: Amending
existing conventions or creating new
frameworks to include climate refugees,
e.g. Global Compact on Refugees.
National and Regional Policies
Ethical Imperatives: The moral obligation of
the international community, especially high-
emitters.
4: Global Projections and Trends
Rising Numbers of Climate Refugees:
Projections suggest escalating displacement,
with climate change as a key driver.
World Bank’s “Groundswell” report predicts up
to 216 million people could be displaced by
2050:
86 million in Sub-Saharan Africa,
49 million in East Asia & Pacific,
40 million in South Asian and
38 million in North & Latin America due to
climate impacts.
Provided policy recommendations:
Reducing global emissions and making
every effort to meet the temperature goals
of the Paris Agreement.
Embedding internal climate migration in
far-sighted green, resilient, and inclusive
development planning.
Preparing for each phase of migration, so
that internal climate migration as an
adaptation strategy can result in positive
development outcomes.
Investing in better understanding of the
drivers of internal climate migration to
inform well-targeted policies.
Slide 4.1: Hotspots of Global Projections
Geographical Hotspots:
Sub-Saharan Africa:
Vulnerable due to a combination of high
exposure to climate impacts and low
adaptive capacity.
Countries like Nigeria and Sudan are
already witnessing internal displacement
due to desertification and flooding.
South Asia:
Densely populated regions, including
coastal areas of India and Bangladesh
at significant risk from cyclones, flooding,
and sea-level rise
Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
Nations such as Fiji, Maldives, and Tuvalu
face existential threats from sea-level rise
Impact on Urbanization:
Migration to Cities: e.g. Dhaka (Bangladesh)
Larger cities experiencing significant
influxes of climate migrants
exacerbating urban challenges such as
 housing and infrastructure.
Urban Vulnerability: e.g. Miami and Jakarta
Coastal cities’ own climate risks + sea-level
rise and flooding,
interplay between migration and urban
resilience.
5: Socio-economic Impacts of Climate
Migration
Effects on Origin Communities:
Economic Strains:
Agricultural productivity lost in rural areas
can lead to reduced incomes and increased
poverty
e.g. Ethiopian communities affected by
recurring droughts.
Demographic Shifts:
The out-migration of working-age
individuals leaves behind an aging
population,
social fabric and community support
systems changed
parts of rural Latin America/northeastern
China.
Challenges for Host Communities:
Resource Pressure:
Influxes of migrants can strain local
resources and services
evident in cities like Beirut as significant
 population increase due to refugees from
neighboring conflict zones.
Integration and Social Cohesion:
integrating migrants into new communities
while maintaining social cohesion
asylum crisis and social welfare: Murder of
Marrisa Shen (2017)
5.1 Socio-economic Impacts of Climate
Migration (Cont’d)
Global Inequality Dynamics:
Disproportionate Impacts:
Paradox that smallest emitters are usually
the most impacted by climate change.
exacerbating global inequalities.
Adaptation and Mitigation Disparities:
Wealthier nations’ moral responsibility
better equipped with resources for
adaptation and mitigation
need for equitable climate finance
mechanisms, as discussed at UNFCCC COP
meetings.
6: Case Study: Venice - Sinking City and Rising
Waters
Venice’s Unique Vulnerability:
cultural and historical heritage at risk due to
climate change.
experiences regular flooding, known as “Acqua
Alta”: sea-level rise & sinking foundations.
Engineering interventions like the MOSE
project (Modulo Sperimentale
Elettromeccanico), a system of mobile barriers
designed to protect Venice from flooding,
underscore the complex interplay between
human ingenuity and natural forces.
This Flood Barrier Could S…
7: Case Study: Japan - Earthquakes, Typhoons,
and Sea-Level Rise
Japan’s Compound Risks:
geographical location makes it prone to natural
disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and
typhoons
being intensified by climate change effects
earthquake often followed by tsunami as
tectonic plates movement allows large
amounts of water at seabed displaced and
amplified by Japanese coastal lines
Historical events like the 2011 Tōhoku
earthquake and tsunami highlight the
catastrophic potential of these natural
disasters.
2024 Noto earthquake.
Adaptive Strategies and Resilience:
Japan’s comprehensive disaster risk
management strategies
advanced early warning systems and stringent
building codes,
combining technology, policy, and community
preparedness to enhance resilience against
climate-induced disasters.
8: The Role of Developed Countries
Historical Carbon Emissions:
Cumulative Contributions:
ID the biggest emitters (historically)
e.g. The U.S. and the EU
among the highest CO2 emitters over
the past century
their contribution to climate changes
disproportionately affect less developed
regions.
Responsibility and Aid:
Climate Finance: Green Climate Fund for
developing countries
Technology Transfer: access to green
technologies for developing countries to avoid
the high-emitting path.
Policy and Advocacy:
International Agreements: the Paris
Agreement
Advocacy for Climate Refugees: platforms like
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees).
9: Nationalism and Border Policies
Tightening Borders:
Physical Barriers: U.S.-Mexico border aiming at
controlling immigration
Policy Shifts: stricter immigration policy in
response to rising nationalism.
Political Rhetoric:
framing migrants as a security threat
Balancing Acts:
Security vs. Humanitarianism
International Collaboration: cooperative
approaches to migration
can they respect national sovereignty while
addressing global humanitarian
responsibilities.
10: Urban Challenges and Opportunities
Migration Magnets:
Economic Attraction: Cities often attract
climate migrants seeking employment and
better living conditions, exacerbating urban
sprawl and slum development.
Infrastructure Strain: Rapid urbanization
challenges city planners to provide adequate
housing, utilities, and services, as seen in mega-
cities like Lagos and Dhaka.
Adaptive Urban Planning:
Resilient Infrastructure: Developing flood
defenses, green spaces, and sustainable
transportation to make cities more resilient to
climate impacts and migration influxes.
Inclusive Policies: Implementing policies that
ensure climate migrants have access to
employment, healthcare, and education,
fostering social cohesion.
Innovation Hubs:
Creative Solutions: Cities as testbeds for
innovative solutions
smart infrastructure
 community-based resilience projects.
Public-Private Partnerships:
collaborations between city governments,
businesses, and NGOs
address the multifaceted challenges posed
by climate migration.
11: Economic Implications of Climate Migration
Labor Market Dynamics:
Job Competition:
Potential for increased competition for jobs
in host regions
particularly in low-skill sectors, can lead to
social tensions.
Skills Integration:
Opportunities to harness the diverse skills
and perspectives of migrants can drive
innovation and
filling critical labor gaps in sectors like
technology and healthcare.
Contribution to Host Economies:
Entrepreneurship:
economic diversity through
entrepreneurship
e.g. migrant-led startups revitalizing local
economies.
Cultural Exchange: new cultures and ideas into
host that improves social frabric
Remittance Flows:
 Economic Support: Remittances sent by
climate migrants back to their home
Investment in Resilience: funds directed
towards climate adaptation measures
Certainly, here’s an additional slide focusing on the
climate refugee issue in the context of Hong Kong:
HK Context
12.1: Climate Refugees - The Hong Kong
Context
Geographical Vulnerability:
susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme
weather events
risks to its dense population and infrastructure.
Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018 showcased the
city’s vulnerability to severe weather
significant damage and
raising concerns about future climate
resilience.
Socio-economic Challenges:
stark income inequality
significant portion of the population living in
poverty
could be exacerbated by climate-related
disruptions.
The high concentration of millionaires
juxtaposed with a poverty rate of 23.6%
presents unique challenges
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Policies:
city currently hosts about 13,000 asylum
seekers and refugees
one of the world’s most unaffordable real
estate markets
Policy Stance: non-refoulement policy offers
protection
no path to permanent residency, aka no long-
term stability of refugees and asylum seekers.
12.2 Climate Refugee in Hong Kong (Cont’d)
Adaptation and Resilience Strategies:
Urban Planning: Enhance flood defenses and
climate-proof infrastructures
Community Support:
Strengthening social services and
support networks for low-income and
displaced individuals to mitigate the socio-
economic impacts of climate events.
Role in Global Dialogue:
HK has potential to influence global climate
finance and
support climate refugees through policy
advocacy and international collaboration.
Engaging in regional cooperation mechanisms
within Asia to
address climate-induced displacement
collectively,
sharing resources, and best practices.
 13.1 Progressive (Pro-Climate Change Action)
Responses:
1. Urban Resilience and Infrastructure:
Expert/KOL: “To combat rising sea levels
threatening Hong Kong’s coastal areas, we
must invest in resilient infrastructure, such as
enhanced flood barriers and sustainable urban
planning, to protect vulnerable communities.”
General Public (Engineer/Urban Planner): “In
our projects, considering climate resilience is
no longer optional; it’s a necessity to safeguard
our city’s future.”
2. Renewable Energy Transition:
Expert/KOL: “Hong Kong’s reliance on fossil
fuels not only contributes to global emissions
but also puts our city at risk. Transitioning to
renewable energy sources can reduce our
carbon footprint and lead to a cleaner,
sustainable future.”
General Public (Energy Sector Professional):
“Exploring renewable energy options, like solar
panels on our buildings, could significantly
reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”
3. Community and Policy Engagement:
Expert/KOL: “Policymakers in Hong Kong must
listen to scientific consensus on climate change
and enact policies that prioritize sustainability
and support for climate refugees.”
General Public (Educator/Activist): “Educating
our students and communities about climate
change and advocating for sustainable
practices is crucial for driving policy change.”
 13.2 Conservative (Skeptical of Climate
Change Action) Responses:
1. Economic Implications:
Expert/KOL: “While we recognize the need for
environmental conservation, we must also
consider the economic impact. Sudden shifts in
policy could disrupt Hong Kong’s economy,
affecting jobs and livelihoods.”
General Public (Business Owner): “Adopting
green practices is important, but we need to
balance this with the economic realities of
running a business in one of the world’s most
competitive markets.”
2. Technological Innovation and Adaptation:
Expert/KOL: “Rather than drastic policy
changes, we should invest in technological
innovations that allow us to adapt to changing
climates while maintaining economic growth.”
General Public (Tech Professional):
“Innovations in technology can offer solutions
to climate challenges without the need for
overbearing regulations that stifle economic
activity.”
3. Questioning Climate Refugee Projections:
Expert/KOL: “The projections of climate
refugees are based on models with various
assumptions. We need to critically assess these
predictions and consider more balanced
approaches to urban planning and
development.”
13.3.1 Talking Points for General Public within
Professions:
Policymakers (Bureaucrats):
Adaptive Policy Frameworks:
“We are tasked with developing policies that
not only address current climate challenges but
are also adaptable to future uncertainties. This
includes creating flexible frameworks for land
use, urban planning, and disaster preparedness
that can evolve as conditions change.”
Balancing Development and Conservation:
“Finding the right balance between economic
development and environmental conservation
is crucial. In Hong Kong, this means making
tough decisions about land allocation,
balancing the needs for housing and
infrastructure with the imperative to preserve
green spaces and coastal areas.”
International Cooperation and Commitments:
“As part of the global community, Hong Kong
must align its policies with international
climate commitments. This involves
participating in global agreements, sharing best
practices, and ensuring our local policies reflect
these broader commitments.”
13.3.2 Talking Points for General Public within
Professions:
Farmers/Fishermen:
Climate Impact on Livelihoods:
“Changes in weather patterns, such as
unexpected storms or prolonged dry spells,
directly affect our crops and fisheries. We need
access to reliable weather information and
support for adapting our traditional practices
to these new challenges.”
Sustainable Practices and Innovation:
“Adopting sustainable farming and fishing
practices is essential for the long term. This
could mean exploring new methods like vertical
farming or sustainable aquaculture to reduce
environmental impact and ensure food
security.”
Support and Training:
“We need more support from the government
and NGOs in terms of training and resources to
adapt to climate change. This includes learning
about new, resilient crop varieties or fishing
practices that can help mitigate the impacts of
climate change on our livelihoods.”
13.3.3 Talking Points for General Public within
Professions:
Logistics Sector Professionals:
Supply Chain Resilience:
“Climate change poses significant risks to
supply chains, from disrupted transportation
routes due to extreme weather to delays
caused by natural disasters. Building resilience
into our logistics networks is key to
maintaining the flow of goods and services.”
Green Logistics Solutions:
“Incorporating green logistics solutions, such as
fuel-efficient transportation modes and eco-
friendly packaging, can significantly reduce the
carbon footprint of our industry. It’s not just
good for the planet; it’s increasingly a demand
from our customers.”
Policy and Infrastructure Support:
“We need clear policies and infrastructure
support from the government to facilitate the
transition to greener logistics. This includes
incentives for adopting electric vehicles,
improving port facilities for efficiency, and
investing in technologies that minimize
environmental impact.”
13.3.4 Example Talking Points for General
Public within Professions:
Essential Worker/Healthcare Professional: “The
health impacts of climate change, from respiratory
problems due to poor air quality to new infectious
diseases, require us to rethink public health
strategies in Hong Kong.”
Financial Sector Professional: “The financial
industry in Hong Kong has a pivotal role in
supporting sustainable investments and divesting
from industries harmful to the environment,
aligning profit with planet.”
Hospitality and Tourism Worker: “Sustainable
tourism can help preserve Hong Kong’s natural
beauty for future generations, ensuring our
industry remains vibrant and responsible.”
Retail Sector Employee: “Adopting sustainable
practices in our retail operations, from reducing
waste to sourcing ethically, can help mitigate
climate change impacts and appeal to
environmentally conscious consumers.”