Your Voice: Floods, wildfires prove we cannot deny effects of climate change; health hazards of Paris’ bedbug problem (long letters)

Just days into September, Hong Kong had already been hit by two natural disasters – Typhoon Saola on the 1st followed by the black rainstorm on the 8th. And exactly one month later, Typhoon Koinu. But this is nothing new, right? As a coastal city, typhoons and rainstorms occur here every summer. Yet this time, the impacts were catastrophic. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the hourly rainfall on Friday was the highest recorded since 1884.

On September 8, I woke up to images and videos of flooded streets, malls and MTR stations that were circulating on social media. At first, I was rather sceptical and found it hard to believe such a disaster was unfolding in the very same city I was in. The scenes looked like they were straight out of a fictional disaster film, like The Day After Tomorrow.

This, unfortunately, is nothing out of the ordinary. Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1880s, human activities like the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have led to climate change, creating long-term shifts in temperature and weather. In recent years, the number of natural disasters has been on the rise.

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Last year in Pakistan, floods from monsoon rains and melting glaciers led to nearly 1,500 deaths and economic losses that reached HK$118 billion. On the other side of the planet, in Hawaii, a series of wildfires swept through the island of Maui in August this year, taking nearly 100 lives. These are just two of the many recent catastrophic natural disasters.

Yet the phenomenon of denying climate change is rapidly rising across the planet. Just two months ago, politicians from the US Republican Party gathered for a debate and fought bitterly over various issues. But when the candidates were asked to raise their hand if they believed in climate change, none did. Many Republican politicians, including former president Donald Trump, often use their influence to spread misinformation about the ongoing climate crisis. And it works. According to a poll conducted by Marist College, 70 per cent of Republicans see climate change as either a minor threat or as no threat at all.

However, collective climate change denial is not unique to the Republicans. Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro used his power to dismantle the country’s climate agencies and environmental laws that protected the Amazon rainforest. India, as one of the world’s biggest polluters, also has a trend of climate denial. ExxonMobil, a major corporation in the petroleum industry, is also known for its scepticism towards the US government’s climate actions.

But enough is enough. There is an overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that leaves us in no doubt: climate change is real. It is literally unfolding in front of our eyes, slowly destroying our planet. Yet, some leaders are ignoring the evidence to pursue their own interests. Such influence brings sympathisers who blindly follow their lead, further perpetuating misinformation.

This not only undermines our efforts to combat climate change, but also jeopardises the survival of our ecosystem and the future of the next generation. It is crucial for all of us, as the perpetrators of this crisis, to acknowledge reality and work together to take immediate steps to mitigate the effects of climate change. We cannot afford to let ignorance stand in the way of our fight for survival.

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Veronica Ng Jun-hing, St Mary’s Canossian College

I am writing to express my concern about the bed bug situation in Paris. Despite being known as the epitome of elegance, culture and charm, the city is now grappling with a growing bed bug infestation that demands immediate attention from the authorities and the public alike.

Bed bugs – notorious insects that feed on human blood and have developed resistance to several insecticides – are hard to eradicate. These resilient creatures thrive in areas with high human traffic, such as hotels, hostels and holiday rentals, which are essential for Paris’s tourism industry.

This infestation poses a health hazard to tourists and residents. Bed bug bites can cause allergic reactions, skin infections and sleep deprivation, leaving victims physically and mentally exhausted. With Paris being world-renowned for its hospitality and tourism industry, this issue could tarnish the city’s reputation and deter visitors from its beautiful attractions if proper steps are not taken.

First, it is essential that the city’s authorities launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate the public on bed bug prevention, identification and eradication methods. This campaign should target residents and the service industry, ensuring everyone is aware of the steps to mitigate the spread of these parasites. Public service announcements, brochures and workshops addressing this issue should be available in multiple languages to cater to the diverse demographic of visitors and residents.

Furthermore, authorities must enforce regular inspections of hotels, hostels and holiday rentals. Stringent regulations need to be put in place to ensure these establishments maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. With continuous monitoring and swift action against any infestations, the city can prevent the spread of bed bugs to tourists and effectively handle any incidents.

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Equally important is increased coordination between different sectors of the city, including tourism departments, health agencies and pest control companies. Collaboration is key to overcoming this challenge and formulating a unified strategy for addressing bed bug infestations. Cross-departmental meetings, regular updates and information exchange will help create the synergy essential for an effective solution.

Lastly, it is imperative for the city, in partnership with scientific research institutions, to invest in new and advanced methods of controlling bed bug populations. This could involve exploring innovative technologies, such as heat treatment or biological controls, and conducting studies to understand the genetic make-up and behaviours of these pests. Continuous research and innovation are necessary to effectively combat this infestation.

Paris prides itself on being a global capital of culture, heritage and hospitality. It is crucial that we address this bed bug infestation promptly and comprehensively to preserve the city’s reputation and ensure the well-being of its residents and visitors.