HKBU Survey Finds Over 3 in 4 Hong Kongers View Climate Change "Fake News" as a Significant Threat
HKBU Fact Check Hosts Exhibition to Raise Public's Science Information Literacy
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 May 2025 - Climate change remains a pressing global issue, but misinformation obscures public understanding. A survey conducted by HKBU Fact Check under Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) showed that over 3 in 4 (over 75%) of the respondents in Hong Kong consider climate change misinformation a "very serious" to "extremely serious" challenge, while nearly 25% of respondents hold misconceptions, for example, "cold waves disprove climate change," "climate change is purely a natural process and unrelated to human activity," and "(possessing) a sense of fatalism, with some believing that humanity has already missed the chance to address climate disasters and should continue burning fossil fuels."
Professor Stephanie Jean TSANG, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication, HKBU and Director of HKBU Fact Check, conducted an online survey with 1,600 local residents in Hong Kong at the end of last year. The survey found that when the term "global warming" is mentioned, Hong Kongers associate it with concepts such as the greenhouse effect, glacial melting, and sea-level rise. While these terms are frequently mentioned in the "climate change" discourse, they are not commonly experienced in Hong Kong, reflecting that public understanding of "climate change" is not derived from personal experiences from everyday lives but rather from information received through various channels.
Professor Tsang said: "Public understanding and stance on climate issues are significantly shaped by the information channels they access. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field of science communication to strengthen the analysis of mechanisms for misinformation dissemination and to thoroughly examine its potential impacts on public perception. In today's digital age, online platforms have become one of the primary contexts for the public to acquire scientific knowledge. This makes enhancing scientific information literacy and critical thinking skills a crucial component in fostering rational social discussion. This is exactly the core purpose of our exhibition, 'Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?'."
HKBU Fact Check's Exhibition "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?" Cultivates Information Literacy
To enhance the public's information literacy to discern climate change information and combat misinformation, HKBU Fact Check hosts a groundbreaking science information literacy exhibition titled "Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?" from now until 22 nd May. The exhibition deconstructs common public misconceptions about climate change and delves into the typical narrative traps of climate change misinformation, and shares tips to validate true facts with a fact-checking mindset and skills, offering various ways for the public to understand how to identify and debunk scientific misinformation.
The exhibition invites attendees to explore a range of topics, including the distinction between "weather" and "climate" and the implications of a "once-in-a-century" rainstorm. By adopting a transdisciplinary approach that integrates public health and environmental science, participants can deepen their understanding of the facts related to climate change. In addition, the exhibition showcases fact-checking cases by HKBU Fact Check, which address climate issues such as verifying changes in the status of Antarctic sea ice through satellite data and debunking data manipulation tactics prevalent in "climate hoax" theories.
Professor ZHONG Bu, Dean of the School of Communication at HKBU, said: "In an era where information is abundant yet often misleading, comprehensive information literacy education is crucial in combating the spread of misinformation. For the past five years, HKBU Fact Check, an independently operated unit of the School of Communication, has been at the forefront of this battle. Our commitment to truth empowers the public by providing free fact-checking services, enhanced by cutting-edge artificial intelligence to streamline our efforts. Together, we are not just fighting misinformation; we are fostering a more informed society."
HKBU Fact Check 'Is Climate Change a Genuine Phenomenon?' Exhibition Details:
Venue: Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, Lee Shau Kee Communication and Visual Arts Building, HKBU (5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong)
Date: 9th – 22nd May 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Free Admission - Registration Required)
Details: Please visit Website
Hashtag: #HKBU #HKBUFactCheck
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About HKBU Fact Check
HKBU Fact Check is independently operated by the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University. It is committed to enhancing public information literacy and fostering rational discussion on social issues through rigorous research and scientific methodologies. Over the past five years, HKBU Fact Check has published over 500 fact-check reports.
School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
PolyU startups showcase innovation and entrepreneurial achievements at London Tech Week 2025
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 June 2025 - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) took part in the world-renowned London Tech Week 2025 held from 9 to 11 June in London, UK, as the only participating university from Hong Kong. Four PolyU startups showcased their ground-breaking innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing technologies and healthcare solutions. The event attracted business leaders, industry experts and investors from around the world, providing the PolyU startups with valuable opportunities to explore potential collaborations and establish partnerships. PolyU is committed to translating cutting-edge research into impactful solutions that address real-world challenges. Below are introductions to the four PolyU startups. PolyU Startup Founder(s) Introduction Advantage Data Vision Limited Prof. Lawrence Wing Chi CHAN Associate Professor, Department of Health Technology and Informatics; and Director, Advantage Data Vision Limited The startup has leveraged massive real‑world, multi‑omics datasets and patented AI algorithms to create a cloud‑based platform that accurately predicts patients' response to cancer immunotherapy. The deep‑learning engine guides clinicians, optimises hospital resources, reduces adverse events and accelerates pharmaceutical trials through precise patient stratification and risk assessment, delivering tangible value worldwide. Light-weight Technologies Limited Prof. Jianguo LIN Chair Professor of Materials Technologies, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Co-founder and Chairman, Light-weight Technologies Limited Dr Qingsong WENG Research Associate, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Light-weight Technologies Limited The startup uses their globally unique light alloy manufacturing technologies, such as advanced hot stamping and extrusion techniques, with its self-developed smart industrial software and advanced simulation platform to produce ultra-thin, ultra-wide light alloy profiles and complex curved profiles that are unattainable with existing manufacturing processes. The startup provides high-strength, lightweight, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that enable energy saving and emission reduction for the automotive, aerospace, railway, marine, and other engineering sectors, gaining wide recognition from leading global OEMs. UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Prof. Jiannong CAO Dean, Graduate School; Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Professor in Data Science; Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing; Director, Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things; Director, University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics; and Co-founder and Chief Scientist, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited Dr Zhixuan LIANG PolyU GBA Postdoctoral Fellow; and Chief Executive Officer, UbiquiTech Innovations Limited The startup is committed to the intersection of robotics, AI and smart city solutions, with a view to developing cutting-edge autonomous robots designed to address complex challenges in modern urban and industrial environments. viAct Mr Gary Chun-kui NG Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, viAct Mr Hugo CHEUK Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, viAct viAct is a pioneer in AI monitoring technology dedicated to enhancing safety and efficiency in heavy industries such as construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing. The startup made it onto Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list in 2022. Its leading, globally deployed technology "Scenario-based Vision Intelligence", was showcased at renowned international events such as the World Economic Forum. At the event's panel discussion themed "Creating the Future from Campus: Why are University Spinouts so Important for Innovation?", Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), shared his insights into knowledge transfer, the nurturing of university spinouts, and the support and resources available to PolyU startups. Prof. Chao remarked, "Supported by PolyU's signature startup ecosystem, PolyVentures, our startups are spearheading translational innovations that generate long-lasting global societal impact. Our ecosystem not only provides invaluable development opportunities but also fosters the international growth of our entrepreneurs. I am delighted to see PolyU startups shine at London Tech Week, inspiring global audiences with their creativity and determination to make a difference." This year, the London Tech Week attracted over 45,000 participants from more than 90 countries, including startups, technology giants, investors and innovators. The event provided a platform for startups to engage in person with venture capitalists, corporate investors and angel investors; promote their solutions on dedicated stages; connect with industry leaders at the forefront of innovation; and gain valuable insights from successful entrepreneurs who have expanded globally. For more information, please visit the event website. Hashtag: #PolyU The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. PolyU
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
May 2025 second hottest ever, says EU climate monitor
Global heating continued as the new norm, with last month the second warmest May on record on land and in the oceans, according to the European Union's climate monitoring service. The planet's average surface temperature dipped below the threshold of 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, just shy of the record for May set last year, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The same held for the world's oceans. With a surface temperature of 20.79°C, last month was second only to May 2024, with some unprecedented warmth regionally. "Large areas in the northeast North Atlantic, which experienced a marine heatwave, had record surface temperatures for the month," Copernicus reported. "Most of the Mediterranean Sea was much warmer than average." . The increasingly dire state of the oceans is front-and-centre at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), which kicked off Monday in Nice, France. Ocean heatwaves are driving marine species to migrate, damaging ecosystems, and reducing the ability of ocean layers to mix, thus hindering the distribution of nutrients. Covering 70 per cent of the globe's surface, oceans redistribute heat and play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate. Surface water warmed by climate change drive increasingly powerful storms, causing new levels of destruction and flooding in their wake. Some parts of Europe, meanwhile, "experienced their lowest levels of precipitation and soil moisture since at least 1979," Copernicus noted. Britain has been in the grips of its most intense drought in decades, with Denmark and the Netherlands also suffering from a lack of rain. 'Brief respite' Earth's surface last month was 1.4°C above the preindustrial benchmark, defined as the average temperature from 1850 to 1900, before the massive use of fossil fuels caused the climate to dramatically warm. " May 2025 interrupts an unprecedentedly long sequence of months above 1.5°C," noted Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. All but one of the previous 22 months crossed this critical threshold, which marks the 2015 Paris Agreement's most ambitious target for capping global warming. "This may offer a brief respite for the planet, but we expect the 1.5°C threshold to be exceeded again in the near future due to the continued warming of the climate system," he added. Over the 12-month period June 2024 to May 2025, warming averaged 1.57°C compared to the 1850-1900 benchmark. The Paris treaty target, however, is pegged to a 20-year average, in order to account for the influence of natural variability. The UN's climate science advisory panel, the IPCC, has said there's a 50-percent change of breaching the 1.5°C barrier in line with these criteria between 2030 and 2035. Using this method of calculation, the world today has warmed by at least 1.3°C. The UN's World Meterological Organization (WMO), meanwhile, has said there's a 70 per cent chance the five-year period 2025-2029, on average, will exceed the 1.5°C limit. Scientists stress the importance of limiting global warming as soon and as much as possible because every fraction of a degree increases the risks of more deadly and destructive impacts, on land and in the sea. Limiting warming to 1.5°C rather than 2°C would significantly reduce the most catastrophic consequences, the IPCC concluded in a major report in 2018.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Hong Kong Hosts World's Largest ISSCR Stem Cell Gathering for the First Time
Some 2,400 stem cell and regenerative medicine pioneers convene to chart new frontiers, resulting from bidding efforts of Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors of the Hong Kong Tourism Board HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 June 2025 - Reputed to be a leading research and development (R&D) hub for medical sciences, Hong Kong hosts the world's largest and most significant gathering of stem cell research and regenerative medicine, the International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting. The event is brought to Hong Kong for the first time, thanks to the joint effort of three local universities – The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which are appointed organisations under the Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). The four-day meeting held on June 11-14 gathers more than 2,400 local and international experts in stem cell research and regenerative medicine from 58 countries and regions, from Asia to North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Mainland China. Pioneers share the latest advances in the field, with topics spanning the field of regenerative medicine including topics such as advances in cell therapies, fundamental discoveries, understanding disease processes and more. Dr Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said, "The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is a globally leading organisation in medical sciences and research, and its annual meeting is one of the world's most significant international academic conventions in medical science. Hong Kong is the first city chosen to host this annual event in Asia after a 13-year hiatus, underscoring the city's status as the 'World's Meeting Place'. I am grateful for the active participation of the Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors from the three local universities, who leveraged their influence and network during the bidding for the host of the event to make the event come true. We are also delighted to see that more professionals from a wider range of expertise are joining HKTB's league of Convention Ambassadors, and we believe their participation can help identify and contribute to the staging of more significant international events in Hong Kong." Valentina Greco, ISSCR President, remarked, "Hosting ISSCR 2025 in Hong Kong marks a defining moment for global stem cell science. As a vibrant research hub at the crossroads of Asia and the world, Hong Kong offers an ideal setting to connect diverse scientific communities, spark new collaborations, and accelerate innovation. The ISSCR is deeply grateful to the city of Hong Kong and to our generous co-sponsors – the University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – for their support and commitment to bringing The Global Stem Cell Event to this beautiful city. With the unwavering support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, these three leading universities, and inspired leadership from our 2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee, this meeting exemplifies the power of partnership and shared vision. We are proud to return to Asia for the first time in more than a decade at a time when our collective progress in stem cell research and regenerative medicine and to advancing therapies that have life altering impact on patients depends on the exchange of bold ideas across borders." The extensive programme features plenary sessions, concurrent tracks, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. Contributing to the success of the event, the HKTB has provided comprehensive support, from arranging reconnaissance to venue sourcing, bid proposal, network support and more. Hong Kong Convention Ambassador Programme Aligns a Record Lineup of 180 Industry Leaders HKCAs have been instrumental in winning the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting for Hong Kong. Launched in 2020 by the HKTB as a strategic initiative, the HKCA programme recruits high-level representatives of Hong Kong's eight universities, chambers of commerce, professional organisations, public bodies, industrial entities and professional societies to act as ambassadors for Hong Kong's convention sector. With their professional influence and networks, HKCAs have led efforts to bring in events ranging from medical sciences to innovation and technology (I&T), financial services, aviation, transportation and more. The close collaboration between HKCAs and the HKTB has proven effective in promoting Hong Kong as a premier hub for world-class conventions. As an alliance of distinguished local and Mainland leaders in business, medicine, professional services, I&T and other fields, the HKCA programme has been growing from strength to strength, with 72 new members in the latest record-sized cohort for the 2025-2026 term, taking the total to about 180, some 30% more than the previous cohort. Among the 76 international events for 2025 to 2027 lined up by the HKTB, with an estimated attendance of over 180,000 MICE visitor arrivals and 27 resulted from HKCAs' efforts. The events cover diverse fields ranging from I&T to aviation and medical sciences. Some are held in Hong Kong for the first time, including IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference held in March 2025, Routes World in September 2025 and World Cancer Congress 2026. The HKTB is committed to working closely with HKCAs to welcome more world-class events to Hong Kong, attracting high-yield overnight business visitors to the city and reinforcing the city's status as the world's meeting place. Large-scale conventions facilitated by Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors: Date Events (*first-ever in Hong Kong) Theme/Sector March 2025 IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference * Innovation & Technology May 2025 IEEE International Conference on Data Engineering Innovation & Technology Jun 2025 International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting* Medical sciences Sep 2025 Routes World* Aviation Dec 2025 The International Society of Sport Psychology 16 th World Congress Sports & Medical sciences 2026 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition Education 2026 17 th Asian Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Medical sciences 2026 Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Conference Philanthropy 2026 International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress Architecture 2026 Lions International Convention Social Services 2026 The Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly Sports 2026 The Council Meeting of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Intellectual property 2026 World Cancer Congress* Medical sciences 2027 International Association for Energy Economics Annual International Conference Economics 2027 Lions Clubs International Orient and Southeast Asian Lions Forum Social Services 2027 World Organization of Family Doctors Asia Pacific Regional Conference Medical sciences Hashtag: #HKTB The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Hong Kong Tourism Board
