*********************************************************
The rate at which Hong Kong is warming up is increasing. Perhaps more alarming, it is predicted by some scientists that winter will become non-existent in Hong Kong by 2050. Consequently, Hong Kong's climate is a topic of increasing public concern.
To help the public learn more about the temperature in Hong Kong's urban areas, a new exhibition from Hong Kong Science Museum's Science News Corner titled "Monitoring Hong Kong's Urban Heat Island" will run from tomorrow (June 28) to December 31. The exhibition will show findings on Hong Kong's "urban heat island effect" and make predictions about the city's future temperature, as well as on global warming trends.
An opening ceremony for the exhibition was held today (June 27). Officiating guests included the Professor and Associate Head, Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and Expert Advisor to Hong Kong Science Museum, Professor Yeung Yau-yuen; Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Edwin Lai; Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK Poly U), Professor Xiao-li Ding; Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, HK Poly U, Professor Janet Nichol; and Museum Director of Hong Kong Science Museum, Ms Karen Sit.
Changes have been detected in Hong Kong's climate due to global warming and urbanisation. In urban centres, the densely packed buildings trap much of the solar energy and heat generated from human activities. As a consequence, the temperature difference between a city centre and the peripheral rural area can be huge, creating what has become known as the urban heat island effect.
The researchers at HK PolyU's Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics have been monitoring Hong Kong's urban heat island effect using satellite and aerial images for over 10 years so as to map out the city's temperatures and heat emissions. Thermal satellite images from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Terra and Landsat satellites as well as the Chinese satellite HJ1B, captured on hot summer days and nights, give an overview of temperatures across Hong Kong. Helicopter-borne thermography was carried out by the researchers in August 2013 to provide more detailed thermal information on streets and buildings, helping them to build 3-dimensional thermal models. These models can help indicate how different building design, materials and planning practices affect the formation of heat island.
The exhibition introduces the findings of Professor Janet Nichol and her project team – the Remote Sensing Research Group.
Ends/Friday, June 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:00
NNNN
