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Benjamin Horton

The latest news and top stories on Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong. He conducts research into sea-level change, developing quantitative models and leading international teams. Formerly Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, he has published over 270 peer-reviewed articles and received numerous accolades including the Plinius Medal. His expertise extends to climate change and its impacts, advocating for low-energy technologies such as passive cooling to mitigate extreme heat, particularly for residents in high-density urban environments. He also served as a Review Editor for the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report.

Local media in China's northwestern Ningxia Hui autonomous region are celebrating an unusual rainfall surge in the hope of "climate dividends". Photo: Handout

Science

Is China’s climate returning to golden age of Tang dynasty? Experts warn of trap

Higher rainfall across arid Ningxia has invited comparison to prosperous Tang dynasty ‘warm period’, but scientists offer a note of caution.

3 Aug 2026 - 5:05PMvideocam

Science

Exclusive | Asia’s top climate scientist warns of ‘humanitarian disasters’ as Earth teeters

13 Jul 2026 - 10:46AMvideocam

Hong Kong-UK spying row

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

8 May 2026 - 10:47PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

22 Mar 2026 - 6:58PM

Workers operate machinery at an iron ore stockyard at the port in Rugao, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

The US is shifting THAAD to the Middle East. What does that mean for China?

Analysts warn of a regional capability gap in the wake of US redeployment of anti-missile system to the Middle East.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong weather

El Nino could cost Hong Kong US$300 billion and shorten life expectancy: study

El Nino phenomenon is ‘persistent driver of health and economic loss’, not just a short-term weather anomaly, study finds.

9 Jan 2026 - 11:55PM

US-China relations

US public backs active role in global affairs, including Taiwan defence: poll

A poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute suggests the American public’s view of global affairs is out of sync with Donald Trump’s approach.

6 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Donald Trump’s administration is focusing more on the Americas compared with previous administrations. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

US ends arms embargo, but can it pry Cambodia away from China on defence?

Beijing has ramped up military ties with Phnom Penh, but now Washington is trying to ‘encroach’ on China’s sphere of influence, analysts say.

16 Nov 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

Science

How the ‘green paradox’ is driving Trump to fossil fuels and China to renewables

Ambitious transformation of country’s energy consumption and urban planning makes economic sense too, analysts say.

23 Oct 2025 - 8:48AMvideocam

Super Typhoon Ragasa

Lessons from Ragasa lashing Hong Kong’s coastal areas must be learned: experts

City does not have special building regulations to guard against waves and floods, but planners have many ways to improve protection, they say.

25 Sep 2025 - 8:08PMvideocam

Workers mop up at the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel. Photo: Jelly Tse

Science

Super Typhoon Ragasa: scientists warn climate change leads to stronger storms

Rising ocean temperatures are feared to be driving an increase in extreme weather events in the Pacific.

24 Sep 2025 - 5:56PMvideocam

Ragasa was the second category 10 typhoon in Hong Kong this year. Photo: Karma Lo

US-China relations

What a major US military drill without an aircraft carrier means for China

Departure from past practice with Japan and South Korea prompts some analysts to suggest Washington wants to boost its dealings with Beijing.

21 Sep 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong environmental issues

Is Hong Kong safe from tsunamis after waves from Russian quake caused ‘anomaly’?

The Post looks at why tsunami threats are low in Hong Kong, what experts say about such events, and how you can keep yourself safe.

1 Aug 2025 - 12:10AM

Education in Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong students must remember grades aren’t everything

Readers discuss the true priorities of school education, climate fixes for the city’s vulnerable, and how to get seriously tough on illegal parking.

16 Jul 2025 - 11:30AM

Primary Six pupils receive their school allocation results on the campus of Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) on July 8. Photo: Nora Tam

Benjamin Horton

Is China’s climate returning to golden age of Tang dynasty? Experts warn of trap

Higher rainfall across arid Ningxia has invited comparison to prosperous Tang dynasty ‘warm period’, but scientists offer a note of caution.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Asia’s top climate scientist warns of ‘humanitarian disasters’ as Earth teeters

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

China will stockpile critical resources and boost energy supply security

Beijing boosts economic self-reliance and long-term stability as a matter of ‘national security’ while Middle East conflicts continue.

The US is shifting THAAD to the Middle East. What does that mean for China?

Analysts warn of a regional capability gap in the wake of US redeployment of anti-missile system to the Middle East.

El Nino could cost Hong Kong US$300 billion and shorten life expectancy: study

El Nino phenomenon is ‘persistent driver of health and economic loss’, not just a short-term weather anomaly, study finds.

US public backs active role in global affairs, including Taiwan defence: poll

A poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute suggests the American public’s view of global affairs is out of sync with Donald Trump’s approach.

US ends arms embargo, but can it pry Cambodia away from China on defence?

Beijing has ramped up military ties with Phnom Penh, but now Washington is trying to ‘encroach’ on China’s sphere of influence, analysts say.

How the ‘green paradox’ is driving Trump to fossil fuels and China to renewables

Ambitious transformation of country’s energy consumption and urban planning makes economic sense too, analysts say.

Lessons from Ragasa lashing Hong Kong’s coastal areas must be learned: experts

City does not have special building regulations to guard against waves and floods, but planners have many ways to improve protection, they say.

Super Typhoon Ragasa: scientists warn climate change leads to stronger storms

Rising ocean temperatures are feared to be driving an increase in extreme weather events in the Pacific.

What a major US military drill without an aircraft carrier means for China

Departure from past practice with Japan and South Korea prompts some analysts to suggest Washington wants to boost its dealings with Beijing.

Is Hong Kong safe from tsunamis after waves from Russian quake caused ‘anomaly’?

The Post looks at why tsunami threats are low in Hong Kong, what experts say about such events, and how you can keep yourself safe.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | Hong Kong students must remember grades aren’t everything

Readers discuss the true priorities of school education, climate fixes for the city’s vulnerable, and how to get seriously tough on illegal parking.

Exclusive | Asia’s top climate scientist warns of ‘humanitarian disasters’ as Earth teeters

Letters | Hong Kong students must remember grades aren’t everything