“This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her,” the late Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’. The voice of our wounded planet is no longer a distant echo—it is at our doorstep. The suffocating heat we feel each summer, the sudden violent storms, the withering trees, and the melting glaciers are signs that the climate crisis is not tomorrow’s concern. It is here, now.
In early August, Hong Kong experienced unprecedented rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and severe disruptions. According to Bloomberg, the city recorded more than 350 mm [13.8 inches] of rain—the heaviest August rainfall since 1884. Multiple black rainstorm warnings were issued as roads were submerged, landslides were triggered, and transportation and court proceedings were halted. Extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, present mounting challenges for our city’s leaders and residents alike.
Recent years have brought record-breaking temperatures, devastating floods, and destructive wildfires across the world. These are not isolated events; they are the symptoms of an ailing Earth. In Hong Kong, heat waves push our elderly into dangerous health conditions, outdoor workers toil in unbearable heat, and families in cramped flats without cooling struggle through sleepless nights. The climate emergency is also a social emergency—those with the least resources suffer the most.
Pope Francis reminded us that the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor are one. The climate crisis deepens existing inequalities. Those without shade, without insulation, without the luxury of escaping the heat—or in this case, the floods—carry a burden far heavier than the rest. Climate justice means recognising this reality and acting so that no one is left behind.
It is tempting to believe that our small actions cannot make a difference. But Laudato Si’ calls us to a “new and universal solidarity,” where the well-being of all creation is at the heart of our choices. This solidarity begins with courage—courage to speak out, courage to change habits, courage to demand policies that protect the environment and the vulnerable.
We need public transport systems that reduce emissions, urban planning that increases green spaces, renewable energy that is accessible to all, and agricultural practices that restore rather than exploit. As citizens, we can advocate for these changes; as Catholics, we must root our advocacy in love for God’s creation.
Parishes can lead by example: installing solar panels, reducing waste at events, planting trees, and supporting education on ecological spirituality. Families can make conscious choices—using less energy, reducing single-use plastics, and passing on a love for creation to the next generation. Each act, however small, is a seed of hope.
The choice is ours, but the time is short. Let us light the wick of change now—for our neighbours, for our children, and for our common home. In the words of Laudato Si’, “May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.” jose, CMF
