Last summer, Wales saw record breaking temperatures. The heatwave conditions lasted for much of the warm season and the city experienced roads melting and reservoirs drying up. The rainfall was almost half the average for a Welsh summer. 

New research has shown that Wales could see similar conditions become the norm due to climate change. Experts say that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase everyday life could be severely affected. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb, summer temperatures could soar up even rapidly and sea levels could rise up to 1.15 meters by 2100. 

The UK is now to expect hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters. 

What to Expect

Temperature

The size of the temperature increase depends on the region, with the largest increases affecting the south. But for all regions, the amount of warming is highly dependent on their emissions scenario. Wales is more likely to see higher average temperatures during the winter. Winter temperature increases are typically smaller than those projected in the summer. By the mid-century, hotter summers could become common -at around a 50% chance. 

Rainfall

It is likely that most parts of Wales will experience reduced rainfall in the summer under both high and low scenarios. Small increases are possible, but unlikely. A low emissions future could see summers become 33% drier to 3% wetter. A high emission prediction could see summers 56% drier and 2% wetter. 

Sea Levels

The Environment Secretary said that in the UK: “Climate change will manifest itself most acutely when it comes to water -the intense rainfall of the winter, the arid heat of the summer and rising sea levels will be how we experience climate change most immediately in our everyday lives.” In the past, record wet winters have caused flooding and heatwaves have led to wildfires and damage to agriculture. The Met Office say that a rise in sea level is the main factor likely to change flood risk across the UK in the future. The best case emission scenario would see an increase of around 30 millimeters in Cardiff, but the worst case could see a rise of more than 1.1 meter at the turn of the century. Cardiff can expect an increase of water levels as well as a greater risk of coastal flooding. 

Young activists are willing the sacrifice their education in order to get action. Recently this past month, many students have missed school to participate in a strike protest against climate change. Hundreds left school and took part in the global climate strike day wanting to end fossil fuels. Wales has declared a climate emergency and has set ambitious low emissions targets but protests are still wanting more action. 

Grandparents joined their grandchildren in the climate change demonstrations

The impact of climate change is evident. In Wales, 23% of the coastline is being eroded because of rising sea water. This is also risking the possible loss of 1 in 14 of the wildlife species. 

The UK plans to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2015. Wales has developed plans to tackle climate change by reducing up to 80% of its carbon emissions by 2050.

References:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/what-weather-like-wales-decades-15473138

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49758065

San Diego Fighting Climate Change

San Diego is one of the cities that is getting hit with coastal climate control. San Diego is facing many challenges. Their sea levels are rising, causing pollution in the oceans. There are water shortages and floods constantly. This is because there at 16% fewer rainy days, but there is 8% more rain during storms causing floods. Once the sea levels rise, it takes any chemicals that humans waste causing pollution to our oceans. San Diego is dealing with many heat spells. Which then turn into wildfires. The population seems to be in issue in San Diego due to its popularity in attractions. San Diego is starting to see a high demand for housing, that does not yet exist. Additionally, there are many greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the air from cars and trucks polluting the area.

Changes/Solutions

• Abandon suburban developments in favor of building denser urban communities
  • Very expensive, only 76% out of reach for families making <%95,000
  • Widening highways
  • Large master plan communities far from urban job centers
• Housing built around transits
  • New rail lines around commuter corridors
• By 2035 San Diego hopes to use renewable resources for 100% of the city’s electricity

San Diego Action Plan

The city of San Diego has taken multiple steps in the right direction to combat their climate change problems. In 2006, Former Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave an executive order to establish a statewide goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but 2050.

This started the statewide multiyear reduction program where San Diego was taking lead in tackling California’s climate change.

Safety as a Priority

Some things that the city of San Diego have identified actions that will contribute to the City’s future prosperity and quality of life include:

1. Furthering San Diego’s leadership in clean technology industries: renewable energy, information technology, manufacturing, and waste management.
2. Creating the “City of Villages” come to life with walkable and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, while also revitalizing neighborhoods. All while retaining their individual character.
3. Promoting active transportation and rapid transit systems to help improve the accessibility of the vulnerable in the city such as children, elderly, people with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged.
4. Fostering programs to create well-paying jobs. Implementation of the CAP will increase the demand for high growth “green” industries.
5. “Building communities that are resilient to climate change through the identification of vulnerabilities and the corresponding implementation of adaptation measures. These measures are intended to protect public health and safety; secure and maintain water supplies and services; protect and maintain urban infrastructure and community services; protect environmental quality; maintain open space, parks, and recreation; support coastal management and protection; promote urban forest management and local food production; improve building and occupant readiness; and enhance community education, knowledge and collaboration.”

San Diego has come up with 5 Strategies to reduce greenhouse emissions:

1. 1. 1. 1. ENERGY & WATER EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
         2. CLEAN & RENEWABLE ENERGY
         3. BICYCLING, WALKING, TRANSIT, & LAND USE
         4. ZERO WASTE: GAS A& WASTE MANAGEMENT
         5. CLIMATE RESILIENCY

Art and Design in the Solution

There are many things that Art and Design professionals are doing for the city of San Diego. There are several groups in San Diego that have many different types of professionals working together to combat climate change. For example, planners are working with designers to create a climate-friendly city. This involves urban design planners, engineers, and landscape architects to create a space that will not only be resilient but also look aesthetically pleasing.

Below are two groups that focus on the community needs, inform San Diego about Climate Change, and host climate change events:

• Climate Kids
  • This is a program that educates kids on climate change and is very active in SD
  • Explore Outdoors- Field trips to Cabrillo National Monument, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego Zoo, Batiquitos Lagoon
  • Climate artwork shop where art is displayed at the Art of Change art show
  • Hands-on Science lesson with regional scientists and experts from various disciplines; regional research projects
• San Diego 350
  • Global Climate Walkout
  • Art Climate Walkout- kids, adults, elders make signs to carry for the walkout
  • South Bay Eco Justice on Tap
  • Addressing Climate Crisis through Meditation and Action

Sources

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/story/2019-06-22/climate-change-california-affordable-housing-crisis

https://sandiego350.org/

https://www.climatekids.org/san-diego

https://www.climatesciencealliance.org/buildingresilience

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/final_july_2016_cap.pdf

What’s At Hand & The Most Recent Catastrophe

The current and even predicted climate changes within the borders of New Orleans have slowly become a new normal for the city.  Whether you believe the changes are due to human interaction or not, the effects have become undeniable. If no action is taken against these detrimental effects, then the city could quite possibly be washed away by 2050.  The fourth to make landfall and most recent storm to hit Louisiana, Hurricane Berry, established an entirely new threat to the City of New Orleans. This is not because it contained conditions never seen in previous storms, but because of the preexisting circumstances surrounding the city.  

                                                      Today Vs. Tomorrow?

Cause & Effect

Increasingly vast amounts of snowmelt within the Great Plains followed by above-normal rainfall has led to an increase in height to the Mississippi River.  Following this, at least 70 percent of the coastal salt marshes that protect New Orleans from the impact of storms could easily be emerged by rising sea levels.  Let alone, there is still the fact of many portions within the city being eight feet below sea level.  All of these factors come into even more extreme accounts once a storm begins to develop near the city simply because it is now nowhere near as tolerable to future storm detriments.  Before we dive into what the youth have to offer and have already contributed to these issues, I would like to brief on what has already been implemented.

What’s Currently Being Done To Help?

The largest implication for the city’s coast has been The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.  This program articulates clear and concise statements of priorities necessary for reconstructing the coast of Louisiana.  Up to the present day, CPRA has developed a 2012, 2017, and 2023 coastal master plan along with a yearly annual plan.  Each plan carefully produces a new strategy for preserving the coast which includes creating marshes, flood-proofing buildings, restoring shoreline ridges, and more.  Looking specifically within the borders of New Orleans; Hydraulic Restoration, Sediment Diversion, and Structural Protection have all been main implications added by the CPRA.

Now that we have a better understanding of what is being done on a larger scale, let’s look a bit deeper as to how much is being done on a small scale.

Community Engagement: All Ages

This past June within the town of Seventh Ward, New Orleans several children of the community had noticed portions of their elementary playground was flooding.  This was then brought up to their parents wondering if there were solutions to the issue at hand. Thus brought forth the creation of a community-driven organization called Healthy Community Services.  The organization alleviates flooding as a neighborhood to provide locals the chance to make a small difference in their environmental status and to become apart of something. Not only does this give back to the community but it teaches all ages about bioswales, rain gardens, urban stall water flooding, coastal land loss, sea-level rise, and more.  

To learn more about Healthy Community Services visit; https://www.hcsnola.org/

More Must Be Done!

As good as this may sound, it is really the only organization within the city limits of New Orleans working against climate change that has had true involvement with children.  Although, it was the children who brought up the idea of the rain garden after learning about them in class. It seems as if the issues of climate change and it’s solutions have been expressed within the classroom, but not much has been offered for them to easily partake in outside of the classroom.  About the only other involvement in the fight against it was the meager group of students who had gathered a few blocks from Lusher Middle – High School to protest the urgency to stop climate change. There are too many many young individuals who know of the issues but don’t have the right kind of accessibility to help, there is too much opportunity at hand.

Sources:

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2019/07/12/the-battle-of-new-orleans-climate-change-edition/https://www.markey.senate.gov/GlobalWarming/impactzones/neworleans.htmlhttps://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2019/09/10/louisiana-official-state-adapting-to-new-normal-of-climate-change/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bjvb84/new-orleans-has-to-work-fast-to-avoid-washing-away-by-2050https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Barry_(2019)https://coastal.la.gov/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-promise/2019/06/new-orleans-backyard-flooding-gardens/https://www.desmogblog.com/2019/03/15/new-orleans-student-global-climate-strike-schools

Climate Change in Miami

Miami’s population has been steadily rising, regardless of the rising sea level.  Since 2016, the population has risen from 441,003 to 473,914 for an increase of  around 7.5% in 3 years.  Around 75% white, the second largest demographic in Miami is black or African American (18% of population).

The average age in Miami is 40 years old (39.1 for males, 40.9 for females).  The ratio between women and men is fairly close to 1 (223,998 females:219,009 males).  With 17.9% of the population under the age of 18, 6.2% under 5, around 1 in every 5 people are classified as children.  This is the fifth of the population that will have the most time on this planet and have to deal with the long term effects of climate change.  Educating the youth on why and how climate change takes place is a crucial step in slowing down climate change.  Although this in an important thing to do, Miami has little youth interaction when it comes to developing ways to make the city more climate change resilient.

Efforts to Mitigate Rising Sea Levels

Problem: Flooded Roads

The main issue that Miami has been struggling dealing with climate change is the issue of flooded roads.  This is a common occurrence, especially during the hurricane season and high tides. 

Recently, the city of Miami has created a team called the Blue Ribbon Panel on Flood Mitigation to head the climate change movement in Miami and help come up with solutions to the rising sea levels.  The main goal for this team was to “dry the street up”. One of the solutions that have been implemented to combat rising sea levels and regular flooding of the streets are

water pumps that transport the water from the streets back out into the ocean.  These pumps have had some issues with becoming backlogged and then basically working in the opposite direction, bringing water in from the ocean and dumping it on the street.This issue has been resolved by raising and expanding the pumps themselves, ensuring that the electrical boxes stay dry at all times. There are 60 new pump stations that are scheduled to be installed throughout Miami and Miami Beach over the next 3-5 years.

Another solution that is currently underway in Miami Beach is the raising of the roads in the Sunset Harbor and West Avenue neighborhoods.  This began in the Sunset Harbor neighborhood in February 2015 and was 70% completed as of April 2016. In most places, the street was raised 2+ feet.

Sources

• • https://www.miamirealestateguy.com/miami-beach-to-raise-west-avenue-1-to-2-feet-to-combat-rising-sea/
  • https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/miamicityflorida,miamidadecountyflorida/PST045218

  Why does climate change matter to Florida ?

” Florida is in the cross hairs of climate change, which is expected to bring not just more heat but also more   flooding, stronger hurricanes, more toxic algae blooms and other woes to the Sunshine State. ” – Tampa Bay Times (2019)

Tampa Bay is located  on the West Coast of Florida where there are risks of high sea level rises, natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Tampa Bay is also that is very prone to storm surges.

Issues with Sea Level Rise 

Currently in Florida the sea levels have rise 8 inches since 1950 and the speed of the rising water has only sped up. As of right now sea level is rising an inch every three years.

credits : sealevelrise.org 

In Florida the bed rock is limestone which acts like a sponge which a porous material that allows water to seem through it. The bed rock adds on to the effects caused by sea level rise.

                                    Credits : sealevelrise.org 

Current Situation                                                                               Possible Solution

Tampa Bay has not been directly hit by a major hurricane since 1921 where it  pushed in a flood of 11 feet and took eight lives. Back then the population of  Tampa was about 50,000 and now it is in 3.4 million. What would happen if a category 5 hurricane hit the bay? The results would be catastrophic.

Credits : Vox

Storm surges are something that will often hit Tampa Bay here are some maps/data of counties which get affected by storm surges: Link

What is being done about it ?

The city of Tampa Bay  which currently has a population of 3.1 million has begun steps in understanding climate     change and its causes. What can be done? and understanding to move towards a resilient future. Four in every       five people from Florida know about climate change and it’s affects.

The Tampa bay regional planning council (TBRPC)   an association of local governments and gubernatorial representatives has setup a up a number of programs which include: Decision Support, Economic Development, Emergency management, Environmental planing and Resiliency.

Cost-conscious Storm preparation                                                                                                                                                                                The cost-conscious Storm preparation  is essentially a checklist prepared by TBRPC and The Federal Emergency                                                     Management Agency (FEMA) to inform or make the citizens of Florida of what to prepare before a hurricane or                                                       tornado hits. The document also provides information specific to people from different counties and how to get                                                       access to that information.

TBRPC Emergency Management Program

The emergency management program is a program that is part of the official regional awareness program, where                                                    they inform the local community on how to protect themselves, protect their businesses, community protection                                                        and community involvement.

The TBRPC have also come up with an All Hazards disaster planning guide which include hazards, including   floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials, and terrorism which is freely available to anyone both in hard copies (specific locations) and soft copies on their website.

Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan 

“The Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan was  a document created  to address the challenges of response and recovery during a catastrophic event in the Tampa Bay area.” – Tampa Bay Catastrophic Plan

Hazard Mitigation

Each county in Tampa develops a Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) These plans are made or developed so as to                  reduce or eliminate risks involving natural or man-made hazards. These plans have to be made in agreement with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) which is a system for collaboration between local and state authorities that understands and encourages the urgency for pre-disater planing, mitigation, and finding funds for projects through grant opportunities by the Federal government.

Agency on Bay Management 

The Agency on Bay Management (ABM) is the committee for natural resources for the TBPRC  which mainly handles the community organization for the protection of the Tampa Bay estuary. The ABM is a compilation of people or individuals from various departments usch as recreation, commercial fisheries, industrial, regulatory, academic and scientific sectors, local, regional, state and federal governments that serves an open discussion panel where issues and opportunities about and for the estuary are discussed.

Bay Surroundings

Bay surroundings is the environmental news group of Tampa Bay. It is a website where one can find information on nature events, festivals and awareness. It is also where one can find articles, journals, books and lots more information on climate change, on going environmental issues.

Figure ground study of Tampa Bay, Florida. Source: Mapbox

  How is the youth integrated into the idea of battling climate change?

About 21.7% of the population is under the age of 18. In a city like Tampa with high risks of natural disasters and climate change, it is important to include the youth as it for their future that everyone is working for and for that exact reason the youth should be educated in climate change.

Tampa Bay Sierra Club 

The Tampa Bay Sierra Club consist of more than 2,700 supporters and members from the main counties all in the same goal of protecting the environment, identifying delicate spots in the environment and surroundings of Tampa.

“Our  mission is to enjoy, explore and protect the natural places in Florida, to teach others to understand and respect the fragile environment in which we live, and to practice and promote the responsible use of Florida’s ecosystems and resources. Our group aims to provide access, education and community support for citizens’ concerns of the environment in the Tampa Bay area.” – Sierra Club Tampa Bay

Youth Climate Strike 

“We, the youth of America, are striking because the science says we have just a few years to transform our energy system, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent the worst effects of climate change. We are striking because our world leaders have yet to acknowledge, prioritize, or properly address our climate crisis. We are striking because marginalized communities across our nation —especially communities of color, disabled communities, and low- income communities—  are already disproportionately impacted by climate change. We are striking because if the social order is disrupted by our refusal to attend school, then the system is forced to face the climate crisis and enact change. With our futures at stake, we call for radical legislative action to combat climate change and its countless detrimental effects on the American people. We are striking for the Green New Deal, for a fair and just transition to a 100% renewable economy, and for ending the creation of additional fossil fuel infrastructure. Additionally, we believe the climate crisis should be declared a national emergency because we are running out of time” – Youth Climate Strike

The climate of Kyoto

The climate of Kyoto if often very mind and humid during the spring and summer months. It is also rainy during the summertime because of its tropical location. The heat island effect contributes a lot to the temperature of the city. The maximum temperature that the city will reach it around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and rarely exceeded 100 degrees. The nights are often very high in humidity, and monsoon season adds to that value. The winters are mild with highs over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Their isn’t a lot of snow, just light flurries and cold rain.

The threats that climate change has on Kyoto

Kyoto is a coastal city on the west side of Japan has been around for 1200 years. The main problems that they encounter have to do hurricanes, and the aftereffects of flooding. Some other natural disasters that can happen there are typhoons and occasional earthquakes. Kyoto lies on two fault lines which is the Hanaore fault, and the Nara Basin Toen fault. When they have earthquakes, they are generally rather large ones because of the fact of the location of where the city sits.

Natural disaster public awareness

Japan is prone to natural disasters and has over the years created an advanced warning system that is quick and informs the public. A problem that the old warning system had was to make people think that taking shelter in any infrastructure was safe (false sense of security), but in reality they were not. With the new warning system is can figure out where the best locations are to seek shelter. The improvement of this system has saved countless lives and the social aspect of the communities. In areas severely treated by natural disasters, some of the communities don’t partake in drills to prepare for flooding and major storm events, so Japan is trying to figure out ways to reach out to them and convince those communities that it is in their best benefit to do so. The graph below shows how prepared Japan is for natural disasters compared to other countries.

What steps are the city of Kyoto taking to mitigate?

The City of Kyoto Is proud of its history with dealing with these events. The government is implementing green economy and a city-wide collaboration in dealing with climate change. The country of Japan has always given financial support to all the cities that are in it. Every year Japan puts 500,000 dollars to the IDNDR Trust Fund, and this is to help specifically for any type of natural disaster. The Japan Disaster Relief Program (JDR) is a team funded by the government to go out into major disaster areas to do primarily search and rescue missions. They service Kyoto when these natural occurrences happen. (sources of funding)

Other fundraisers helping in Kyoto include:

               Idro Japan (Accepts Volunteer and donates to the cause)

               It’s Not Just Mud (A volunteer service for disaster relief)

               Japanese Red Cross (Donates a good amount of money, and is always accepting volunteers)

               Japan National Council of Social Welfare (Shows a list of organizations that contribute money and volunteers)

               Donation for Western Japan Heavy Rain (Donations from Rakuten Points, credit card or bank transfers)

               AAR Japan (Has emergency response teams ready and accept donations)

               Yahoo! Japan (Collects donation which is sent directly to disaster relief programs)

               Peace Winds Japan ((Has a Campfire Account (similar to GoFundMe) that goes directly to relevant municipal government))

               Open Japan KEEN Matching Pay (Partnered with KEEN footwear to match all donations for a month. They already have volunteers on ground already)

               Janic (Provides a list of organizations for disaster relief)

How Is the city adapting infrastructures to respond to climate change?

Kyoto is considered a pilot study project for Cities Alive and has a section talking about how they are making their buildings more resilient. The city is working on improving their water supply, sewage, and Storm Water management assets to keep the city moving. The 100 Resilient Cities website, they mention that they have 66 projects lined up as of 2016 to improve buildings and create greener infrastructure to use the water to their advantage. The Kyoto Protocol implemented UNFCCC, which is an organization to combat greenhouse gas going into our atmosphere. They plan on being completely free of building and vehicle emissions by the year 2050. It will surely be a challenge, but something they would really like to see done.

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement signed by 128 nations around the world to help control climate change and their mission was to reduce greenhouse gasses by 5%. They are most concerned about the rising temperature and how it causes so many deaths worldwide from malaria, malnutrition, and diarrhea, which all together cause 3.5 million deaths a year from temperature and toxic rain changes. The Paris Agreement soon took place after this to continue this global challenge.

How are youth included?

The city is suffering from an aging population where there is a lack of middle age men and woman. So, it is up to the kids to figure out what they need in order to grow. Occasionally the planning committee has events for kids to participate by giving them ideas for what they can improve on. They strongly believe that the future lies with the kids. The Kyoto Protocol addresses this in its statement. They play a crucial role in helping improve the city with climate change in mind. The kids were asked to do a questionnaire-based pilot survey, and the scores were off the chart for what they knew about climate change. Among them; 66% were male, and 33.8% were females in different study areas. Now with these kids, in total 98.5% of the kids said through the survey that they believed climate change is real. Then 95.5% said human activities contribute to climate change as well. These are high numbers, and it means a whole lot that the kids are aware of this so that they can help make these good decisions and are educated enough on the matter. The youth are being educated all throughout their k-12 schooling, and it is a strong tool for combating destructive potential of climate change. The children can make a decision, and when they are older play a huge role in helping these changes come to life. With the declining age population that I said before, there are fewer people to support the economy, and to increase the power of reliance to overcome the climate issue. This was a recent issue that the Mayor, Daisaku Kadokawa addressed in March of 2019 at a climate change conference.

Threats that climate change poses in Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is working to become a climate-resilient city because they are understanding of the potential dangers that climate change poses on the coastal city and citizens within. Some large concerns include flooding due to rising sea level, intense rains, strong winds, higher temperatures and heat island effect, poor air quality, health effects, and much more. Together the city of Copenhagen and the community have worked together to develop a Climate Adaption Plan for a healthier, safer, climate-resilient city.

How? You may ask.

By 2025, Copenhagen is on planning to be completely carbon neutral by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80%-100%. This is no walk in the park for any city to achieve, but Copenhagen has put together a plan to see what they need to do to achieve this goal. After analyzing the extent of the threats and costs to counteract the threats, the stakeholders (including central government, Copenhagen Energy, CPH city and port development and Copenhagen metro) have created a plan of attack from cost to implementation to achieve a climate-resilient city.

Source of Image: Here

Economic Consequences of Flooding 

Due to climate change, the intensity of a 100 yr flood has increased by 40%. 100-year floods are now occurring every 20 years. This is leading to damage to infrastructure, business, private homes, etc. We are beginning to understand that although the cost of expanding storm sewers, implementing green infrastructure throughout the city, building sea walls, etc. may be very pricy, it can eventually provide a net saving from potential future flooding damages. Not are we only having to consider the flooding from rainwater but also sea level rise. A combination of these two is very threatening to many coastal cities around the world. As the global sea temperature is rising the seawater expands overall increasing the elevation of seawater. Copenhagens sea water level is expected to rise up t0 1 meter in the next 100 years. Copenhagen is also at great risk for storm surges that also cause major flooding within the city. The most powerful storm surges often come from the south of Copenhagen. A storm surge can occur during intense storms causing an abnormal rise in seawater level primarily from the storms wind pushing water onto shore. Another solution to this problem may be just to start building at higher elevations,  build up dikes, and heavily invest in green infrastructure to help control rainwater on-site putting less pressure on the storm sewer system.

Figure-ground Study of Copenhagen

As we begin to analyze some of the high-risk areas of flooding it becomes easy to see why that is. For example, a figure-ground study of the relationships of urban buildings to water access. In this particular area, you can see just how close the water already is to homes and businesses. These homes and businesses are especially prone to flooding due to the river and several canals weaving through the developed land. This area has been brought to attention and has begun a plan to address the potential flooding issue. A change in infrastructures such as dikes, dams, storm sewer expansion and regulation, raising building and road elevations, and green infrastructure have been addressed and talked about being implemented in and around this sight. The green space in the top right corner of the figure-ground study is also going to double as a stormwater collection site during intense storms. This will help ease the burden of the surrounding community. Just up north the river,  placement of a large dike is going to be established to help reduce the water level flowing into the city. In the meantime, before all the infrastructure gets updated/installed in the city simple acts of action being prepared such as sandbags, planning, warning systems, and protection of the metro system will have to do.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Global temperatures are rising and the city of Copenhagen is getting warmer due to urban heat island effect. The surface temperature of the city rises when the sun is shinning due to the absorption of heat on buildings, roads, roofs, etc. The albedo of an object gives us a rate at which an object can reflect or absorb light. light-colored objects reflect light and dark-colored objects absorb light. Believe it or not, we can control the urban heat island effect to a significant extent because we understand why it happens and what we can do to prevent it.

Through the power of green infrastructure, we can help prevent the urban heat island effect. One method of prevention is green roofs. Green roofs are a form of green infrastructure that prevents a building roof from absorbing heat but also cools the air around it. Overall, this helps reduce energy consumption.  Another form of prevention is green spaces in parking lots such as tree plantings and other vegetation, this helps evaporate cooling but also help reduce the heat absorbed on the paving due to the shade of the trees. The last example of prevention is pocket parks and large city parks.  Having open space for vegetation to grow in a big city can help purify the air as well as help cool down the surrounding area. parks are also perfect for reducing pollution, making communities safe, more sociable, and supports the ecology for the surrounding environment.

Poor Air Quality & Health Effects

Not only is the infrastructure of the city at risk due to climate change but also the citizen’s health. The air that we breath is starting to change due to air pollutants such as particulate matter, increase carbon dioxide and ground-level ozone. More cases of cardiovascular and respiratory effects,  disease, asthma attacks, difficulty breathing, etc. are being reported.  Air Quality Impacts can really cause issues in a city, as well as reduce visibility often causing traffic accidents. Growing up in a polluted city is very dangerous for children. This is why it is incredibly important for not only adults to take a stand but the children themselves.

How the Youth are Getting Involved with Climate Change 

Youth take a stand at the Copenhagen Climate Conference demanding actions to be taken so their future is not at stake. Over 1,000 kids from various countries around the world traveled to the Copenhagen climate conference to be heard. Often when it comes to large political decisions youth are not included what so ever because they are considered “too young to understand.” Well not here in Copenhagen. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, especially the youth that climate change will be greatly affecting in the future. listen to the young American activist, Brianna Cayo Cotter to see her perspectives and she shared at the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

https://youtu.be/ah-x4S8G2gc