A growing majority of the global population lives in urban areas, many of them coastal cities that are vulnerable to severe flooding and tropical storms. Leaders and citizens in these urban areas recognize the importance of continued protection of cities from man-made climate change. Here are a few ways that cities around the world are working to manage and mitigate climate change.
Changing Transportation
Transportation is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gases around the world, so larger cities are incentivizing more energy-efficient forms of travel such as bicycling and public transit. Cities like London and Paris have instituted low-emission zones and are working toward phasing out non-electric vehicles, and many European cities have plans for electric transit systems by 2020.
Energy-Efficient Buildings
Infrastructure is one of the biggest areas of influence that city leaders have. Smart heating and cooling systems, solar energy, and energy-efficient building practices and materials are all becoming increasingly common as cities aim to achieve emissions targets and Paris Agreement goals, most notably the 1.5°C Global Warming Target.
Green Spaces
From public parks to rooftop gardens, adding and expanding green spaces within cities not only cleans the air and helps to absorb greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduces the urban heat island effect. For example, the city of Vancouver recently mandated that all residents should live within a five minute walking distance away from a public park, and Singapore has reserved 250 acres for a future urban garden and encouraged the creation of high-rise terraces and gardens.
Managing and Reducing Waste
By now most people are familiar with the large islands of plastic refuse that have accumulated in the world’s oceans, a striking example of the ways in which human activity is causing a lasting impact on our environment. Cities all over the world, from New Delhi to Hamburg, have begun phasing out or outright banning single-use plastics like bags, straws, and bottles.
While many cities are starting small when adapting to climate change, the growing push for fighting climate change at the local level in urban centers all over the world has created a trend that many hope will have a bottom-up effect on policy at the federal level. At CREED LA, part of our mission is to ensure that the construction industry in LA supports projects that have positive impacts for the community and are sensitive to local and environmental impacts. To find out more about how CREED LA is committed to a better LA, visit us online or call (877) 810-7473 today.