Hong Kong has faced some of the harshest weather conditions recently. Super Typhoon Ragasa hit in late September, marking the second time this year that a No. 10 typhoon warning was issued. This storm was labeled the strongest tropical cyclone of 2024 when it approached the region. Just a month earlier, on August 5, a black rainstorm lasted over 11 hours, leading to severe flooding. Interestingly, October was recorded as the hottest month since 1884.
These extreme weather events are part of a bigger global picture. The World Meteorological Organization noted a staggering 151 “unprecedented” extreme weather events in 2024, making it one of the hottest years on record. From heatwaves to catastrophic storms, the impact has been felt worldwide.
But it’s not just the physical damage that concerns experts. Mental health is increasingly deteriorating due to these climate-related stresses. A study from Trinity College Dublin, published in The Journal of Climate Change and Health in March 2025, highlighted how chronic issues like food and water scarcity negatively affect mental well-being. Places like Madagascar, where the effects of climate change are extreme, report rising levels of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness among young people.
The connection between social media use and feelings of despair about climate change is also noteworthy. A study from the University at Buffalo, published in Climatic Change in November 2025, found that increased social media engagement leads to a rise in “climate doom.” This term refers to the belief that the effects of climate change are irreversible, further affecting mental health.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this complex issue, studies like those mentioned provide valuable insights. Further research is essential to understand the ongoing and future implications of climate change on mental health.
For more on climate change and its effects on health, check out resources from the World Health Organization.
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mental health, climate anxiety, heat stress, cognitive impairment, extreme heat, global warming, climate doom, hopelessness, Kevin Tam Kim-pong, Henry Ng Kin-shing, United States, American Psychologist, Washington, Susan Clayton, University of Hong Kong, Climate change, College of Wooster, The Lancet, Eco-anxiety, Ohio, Health Science Reports, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
