Beyond the Storm: A Climate Expert’s Vision for Actionable Climate Adaptation Solutions

Landslides, flash floods, and fallen trees—these are just some of the alarming sights accompanying the summer typhoon seasons in Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the city has witnessed a distressing surge in extreme rainfall, characterized by intensity levels that surpass the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal. This trend serves as a stark reminder of the growing impact of global warming on our daily lives and safety. The question resonates: how can we better prepare for nature’s fury in the future?

Professor CHEN Fei, a climate expert who joined HKUST’s Division of Environment and Sustainability as the Associate Head in 2024, aims to find a way out. With over 28 years of experience at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research and a current role with the United Nations (UN)’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO), he is on a mission to develop an innovative multi-hazard prediction and early warning system to help cities in the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia brace for extreme weather.

“Hong Kong is no stranger to rainstorms. Its robust economic infrastructure and dense population make it an ideal testbed for innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme weather and enhance megacity climate resilience in southeast Asia,” he said thoughtfully. “Here, we can create a model that other cities, like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, can learn from.”

Cross-sector Collaboration

The early warning system envisioned by Prof. Chen will harness artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance forecasting capabilities. Yet, it is not merely about issuing warning signals, it is about fostering cross-sector collaboration by pooling the resources and expertise of government, researchers, and non-profit organizations.

In this collaborative model, researchers will partner with the government to continuously develop and refine the early warning system. On the community level, non-profit organizations will reach out to citizens in affected areas, providing effective assistance to vulnerable groups in need. “Non-profits possess well-established community networks within communities, and more importantly, the trust of the citizens,” he explained.

In the long run, Prof. Chen aims to build a robust modelling system and database, allowing the system to forecast weather across various time scales, from immediate or minute-by-minute predictions to long-range outlooks spanning decades. 

From Exploring to Inspiring with Actionable Science

Over a year ago, Prof. Chen made a life-altering decision to uproot his life in the US and relocate to Hong Kong with his family. While he has held numerous prestigious roles in international organizations, including co-chairing the new Urban Prediction Project of WMO’s World Weather Research Programme, the transition to teaching and conducting research at a university was an entirely new venture for him.

Reflecting on his very first lectures, he beamed with delight. “I used to focus on research and collaborate with leaders and scholars from around the world, but teaching has been a brand-new experience. It required me to familiarize myself with the University’s education systems and prepare materials for my students,” he recalled with a warm smile. “The classes offer precious opportunities to interact with the next generation. The future is theirs to compose.”

When asked about the inspirations behind this significant shift, his answer is refreshingly simple: “I want to engage in actionable science.” Over the years, he has observed a substantial gap between researchers and end users—policy makers, citizens and other stakeholders—and that undermines the real impact of research outcomes. “Our university encourages knowledge transfer, so I want to create relevant climate datasets that are accessible to all users, ultimately benefitting our society. Otherwise, what’s the purpose of science if it cannot serve the community?” Prof. Chen asserted with passion.

Intrigued by the Interdisciplinary Culture

As a faculty member at HKUST’s Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), Prof. Chen is captivated by its vibrant interdisciplinary culture. He enjoys strolling through the corridors, stopping by his colleagues’ offices for small talks that sometimes spark new ideas. “At AIS, experts from different fields are close at hand, and every conversation may offer fresh perspectives,” he shared, excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the University’s many AI professionals to refine his early warning system.

As a passionate advocate for sustainability, he also appreciates HKUST’s initiative of “Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab”, which supports the University community in applying their novel ideas on campus to promote sustainable development.

“It’s incredible to see the variety of creative projects unfolding here, from AI ambassadors and vertical gardens to facial recognition for enhancing library services. The University feels like a microcosm of a smart city in the making,” he remarked, casting a glance at his watch. “Oh, I am about to leave for my next class.” He quickly tidied up his teaching materials, bidding farewell as he walked briskly out of his office.

The campus was bathed in sunshine under a clear blue sky—what a perfect day for Prof. Chen to have some inspiring discussions with eager young minds, ready to explore new ideas at the intersection of climate science and technology!