Prof. Jung-Eun Chu Contributed to Global Discussions on Tropical Cyclone Risk at STCRCC
From 31 May to 4 June 2025, Prof. Jung-Eun Chu, Assistant Professor at the School of Energy and Environment (SEE), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), and climate scientist at CityUHK, attended the 9th Symposium on Tropical Cyclone Risk in a Changing Climate (STCRCC) in Florida, USA. The symposium, led by Prof. Jennifer Collins (Professor of Geosciences, University of South Florida), brought together leading scientists, social scientists, and industries to address the growing challenges of tropical cyclones in a warming world.
Unlike traditional conferences, this symposium emphasized collaborative discussions, fostering deeper exchanges on risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and adaptive responses to tropical cyclones. Since its inception in 2007, the symposium has produced three influential books, with the latest edition, “Advances in Hurricane Risk in a Changing Climate”, featuring a chapter co-authored by Prof. Chu.
Why Florida? Why Hong Kong?
Florida, like Hong Kong, is a hotspot for tropical cyclones, facing severe flooding, wind damage, and storm surges. Last year, Hurricane Milton and Helene caused catastrophic destruction, with economic losses exceeding USD 34 billion and USD 75 billion, respectively. The storm left lasting impacts–even tearing off the roof of the iconic Tropicana Field Stadium in St. Petersburg. With low-lying coastlines, both Florida and Hong Kong are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and intensifying storm surges, underscoring the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and adaptive policies.
Moving forward: Interdisciplinary Solutions
The symposium highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaborations in improving disaster preparedness and response. By integrating climate science, engineering, and social science, we can develop more effective strategies to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable communities. As tropical cyclones are expected to become stronger and more unpredictable, the insights gained from this symposium will help shape future research and policy–not just in the U.S., but also in Hong Kong and other cyclone-prone regions.
Stay tuned for more updates on our school’s contributions to climate resilience and sustainable solutions!
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