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Climate change is a bigger threat to the planet than World War III, global recession, and pandemics. Because the economic recession will end with policies, and pandemics are cured by vaccines. But when the climate is not right, it will be impossible for the world to survive. So how can humans survive? let us dive into this topic more and understand Urban Resilience Strategies for Adapting to a Changing Climate.
Big leaders from all over the world are coming together and putting pressure on the government for a better climate, yet there is no change in it. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in our atmosphere have been increasing since 1950. Scientists say 95% of the increase in CO2 is due to human activities. We burn a lot of fossil fuels, which contain mostly coal and oil. Due to this, the lights of houses come on, factories run and vehicles also move. As a result, the level of CO2 has increased dramatically.
From 1950 to today, the human population has increased three times in just 70 years. And our food habits are becoming increasingly dependent on animal products such as meat and milk. More people mean more animals and more animals mean more methane gas. When methane gas enters the atmosphere, it becomes trapped there along with other gases; when sunlight enters the atmosphere through all of these gases, the Earth’s temperature rises, which is known as the Greenhouse Effect.
The issue is not that the temperature was rising, but rather that it was rising too quickly. This year has been considered the hottest in the past 10,000 years. According to the United Nations, the temperature has risen by only one degree since 1800. If it rises by 2 or 2.5 degrees by 2100, there will be no major concern. The danger is that it will rise by 2030. This means we only have a few years to control it.
Before talking about climate change and climate resilience, let us first know what climate is.
What is Climate by definition?
The long-term weather patterns of a specific location are known as climate. Weather can change from hour- hour, day-day and month-month or even year. The climate of a region is determined by its weather patterns, which are usually monitored for at least 30 years.
What climate change is?
The long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns are called climate change. The climate, which should be stable, is no longer stable due to natural and man-made reasons. The result of this is climate change. Climate change causes a variety of problems on our planet, making life more difficult for plants, animals, and even people. The impacts of climate change could harm our communities, food supplies, and lifestyles and be dangerous to our health and safety.
Now we will talk about how we can improve our climate and make human life more beautiful.
Urban Resilience Strategies for Adapting to a Changing Climate
Climate change adaptation research usually starts with evaluating the possible effects on people, ecosystems, and the environment. There are many adaptation strategies; By applying these strategies, we can mitigate the effects of climate change. There are four types of adaptation actions; these include infrastructure, institutional, behavioural and nature-based. Before talking about the adaptation actions, let us know what climate resilience is. In simple terms, climate resilience is all about ensuring our people and places are adapting and preparing for our changing climate.
1 – Climate-resilient Infrastructure:
Now we’ll look at the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure and how it can help us prepare for such challenges. In recent years, we have seen severe hurricanes and flooding as well as wildfires that have caused significant damage to our communities. Climate resilient infrastructure means developing and upgrading infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and adapt to a changing climate. These include roads, bridges and buildings. Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure not only protects our communities but also delivers economic benefits. It creates jobs and reduces maintenance costs in the long run.
These projects may require a significant investment, but they pay off in the long run. They save lives and reduce damage. Cities and communities are implementing green infrastructure solutions, like planting more trees and creating green spaces to absorb excess water and reduce urban heat. It helps to manage stormwater and lower temperatures in urban areas and makes our cities more climate resilient.
2 – Climate resilient Institutional adaptation:
The government has implemented several programs to reduce the threat of climate change. For example: Encourage community-driven solutions to climate change, Collaborate with resilient communities, Plan for a compact and efficient city, Increase the use of public transport, Reduce car use, Smarter use of roads, Encourage zero-emissions vehicles, Maintain 100% renewable electricity supply, Reduce emissions from gas, Reduce urban heat and improve liability, Reduce risk in a changing climate, Reduce waste generation, Protect local species and habitats, Sequester carbon in the landscape etc.
But climate resilience is not just the responsibility of governments and organizations. Individuals and communities also play a significant role by conserving water, reducing energy consumption, and supporting sustainable practices. We can change situations. By coming together, we can push climate-resilient policies and create a more sustainable future for everyone.
3-Climate resilient Behavioural and cultural adaptation:
Adaptation is heavily influenced by behavioural and cultural factors. Cultural adaptation is a shift at the population level or the transmission of behaviour that is beneficial in a changing environment. Researchers studied the climate of many crops to determine an ideal climate for all crops. But farmers have already changed their planting ways. Now they plant in a way those better matches changes in climate. However, the researchers found that cultural adaptation to climate change does not happen everywhere. In some areas, planted crops have become even less adapted to climate change. We can mitigate climate change if we focus more on this new cultural adaptation.
4-Climate resilient Nature-based adaptation:
The latest science shows that nature can provide the best protection against the impacts of climate change, including heat waves, drought and sea level rise. Now we can try to fight it with expensive projects like building sea walls, but we also have a cheaper solution, nature. For example; Planting mangrove forests defends against coastal flooding and storm surges. Mangroves also weaken the strength of the waves; and stop the shoreline from crumbling into the sea.
The heat wave is increasing rapidly. By installing an air conditioner, we will only keep the house cool, not our environment. But we have a solution; bringing nature into cities can help keep the temperature down. Trees release water through their leaves just like we cool down by sweating, and urban lakes and rivers also keep temperatures low, and using nature gives us additional benefits; green spaces filter toxic air pollution; they keep the environment beautiful.
By implementing all these adaptation techniques, we can reduce the risk of climate change. However, the need for adaptation varies from place to place. However, adaptation is most needed in developed countries, which are most prone to climate change.
