Climate Change
The world is now facing a problem about climate change, which is a main environmental issue that creates many other problems. These problems are affecting the urban areas. This essay will list three of these problems like the rise of sea level, the rise of temperature, and abnormal weather that are caused by change in climate in urban places. This essay will also evaluate the mitigation efficiencies as well as the adaptation when it comes to resolving this problem. Mitigation means different actions that reduces the effects of greenhouse gases. On the other hand, adaptation means reduction of the exposure of climate change. Adaptation also builds flexibility in order to address the effects of climate change (UNEP, n.d.). This essay will summarize three problems created by climate change in many urban areas and assess how adaptation and mitigation can be effective ways in solving these issues.
The rise of the sea level, extreme weather, and the urban heat island endangers the urban areas. Initially, the increase of sea level can create flooding to many coastal places and even endangers them to experience storm. One example of a city that is in danger of flooding or storm is Copenhagen, which is likely to experience flood as the level of the sea rises (Braw, 2013, p.89). Another problem is the urban heat island. By creating a solar energy in urban fabrics starting sunrise until sunset, while spreading heat from sunset until sunrise. Other sources of heat such as heaters and air conditioners are adding more heat that has been previously produced (Walsh et al., 2011, p.76). Additionally, the need of urban designs as well as the cooling effects of green areas can also lead to heat island. Moreover, another problem that contribute to the climate change is the infrastructure that was damaged due to extreme weather. Many factors destructed many infrastructures in many countries around the world, such as storms, fires, drought, tropical cyclones, and even landslides (Walsh et al., 2011, p.76). For instance, Dhaka City have experienced river flooding in 1998, which cost hundreds of million dollars just to rebuild the city’s infrastructure (Hunt & Watkiss, 2011, p.33).
The problem of climate change can be addressed using mitigating methods that are ideal for limiting the issue in the long term. The mitigating factors include renewable source of energy, proper urban planning, and reduction of emissions from vehicles. Furthermore, the greenhouse gases can be reduced through utilization of renewable sources of energy. The increasing attention and demand for sustainability in many cities have increased the dependence on renewable energy. The dependence on renewable energy can create beneficial effects on the climate change across the urban regions. For example, Nagpur, India developed a five-year business plan in identifying energy’s major uses (UNDP, 2012, p.133). The engines of the vehicles are the greatest contributors of both air pollution and GHG emissions. There are laws that can be used in order to keep the streets free from being overcrowded and improve the public transportation so as to mitigate these issues about environmental problems. For example, strict laws is being used in Singapore, which also made the streets free from traffic congestion. It also encourages many individuals to use public transportation instead of their private vehicles, which reduced the level of pollution the area (UNDP, 2012, p.130). In addition, one of the cities in the Philippines, which is the city of Makati uses a green public transport. These vehicles use low polluted fuel as well as biofuel (UNDP, 2012, p.134). Generally, less vehicles on the road means there will be less carbon emissions and better air quality. Some of the mitigating approach is the urban planning, which aims to create a sustainable city. Two of the ideal examples of cities that are eco-friendly due to urban planning are Singapore and Tianjin Eco-City in China. Majority of the new buildings in these cities are green buildings. Meaning, they have some forms of green features. This is similar in Tianjin China where it can be viewed as a sustainable city due to the designs of its urban areas. Urban planning is an ideal method of solving climate change problem because Green Buildings reduce GHG emissions.
Climate change effects can be tackled through adaptation methods that are likely ideal to reduce the impacts for s short-term basis. The adaptation that deals with this problem includes green buildings, sustainable infrastructure, and even a better systems to detect strong storms. The increase in sea water level along coastal cities is a continuous threat. On the other hand, building green infrastructures will reduce the dangers of rising sea water level. To provide an example of how it helps in addressing the problem, this essay presents Copenhagen as an example. This city took their steps in building a green infrastructure as one of the options in addressing possible flooding and severe storms. This includes building cambered streets, which capture water and flow it directly to the harbor. On the other hand, smaller streets are planted with trees in order to reduce the possibility of flooding and can address the potential risks of sea water level rise (Bra, 2013, p.89-90).
Another adaptation approach is the system of storm weather and sustainable buildings. This is the creation of stronger infrastructure to protect the city from severe weather, such as strong typhoons. For instance, the city of Bangkok in Thailand built an embankment and efficient drainage systems, which protect Bangkok from flooding (UNDP, 2012, p.128). Even though this types of infrastructure will protect many cities from the threat of flooding, building these protective systems costs large amount of money and only small areas are covered. To lessen the urban heat island problem, green buildings must be promoted. For example, a skyscraper in Guangzhou, China (UNDP, 2012, p.136). Greening the urban area is very useful in solving climate change problem.
In conclusion, the identified three major problems are due to climate change. Whereas, adaptation tackles these problems and mitigation will decrease the risks brought by climate change because it also avoids GHG emissions from happening and therefore creates a long-term solution to the problem.
References
Braw, E. (2013). Tackling climate change: Copenhagen's sustainable city design. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/tackling-climate-change-copenhagen-sustainable-city-design [Accessed 13 Aug. 2016].
