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- Permanent Link:
- http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/FI13042127/00001
Notes
- Summary:
- The primary premise of this report is that cities lie at the center of climate change, its causes, potentially disastrous effects, and most importantly, possible solutions. It outlines 12 steps that mayors and city leaders can take in order to ensure that action at the local level is aligned with national and international climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The document’s first point of emphasis is that climate change is real, it is occurring right now, and is a product of human activity. Scientists have already documented a one degree Celsius rise in the earth’s average surface temperature over the last hundred years, and predict anywhere from 2 to 4 degrees of warming over the next century. In this context, the document calls on city’s to place priority on identifying their risks. In some cities, climate change may result in longer and more severe drought conditions, but in most cases it will mean increase risks related to rising sea levels, larger and more frequent floods, and more destructive cyclones, since many of the largest and fastest growing cities are in coastal zones. The document outlines two main lines of action that can be taken to address the threat presented, adaptation and mitigation. It particularly champions the immediate implementation of ‘no regrets’ policies, which not only improve resilience to climate change but also bring about added benefits. These include actions that increase green spaces, improve drainage systems, identify green sources of energy, ensure more energy efficient buildings, improve public transportation, etc. Actions to limit our contribution to climate change and to adjust to its future impacts requires that city leaders move away from narrow short-term political calculations. It involves taking into account the potentially devastating impacts on cities if climate change related risks are not addressed now. Though we still have the opportunity to stabilize global temperatures, this opportunity may be fast waning. The longer governments delay taking action, the higher the costs associated with climate change will be as moving communities from rising waters, rebuilding cities destroyed by floods or devastating storms, and other dramatic actions become inevitably necessary. Climate change policy thus requires responsibility and vision on the part of decision-makers at all levels. Integrating climate change policy into local economic development and poverty reduction strategies may be the key forward, as initiatives are directly tied to the everyday concerns of communities. ( English,English )
- Subject:
- Climate Change
- Citation/Reference:
- Strachey, A. (2011). Local leadership for climate change action. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).
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