ID :
15347
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15347
The shortlink copeid
UN report warns city govts to combat effects climate change
New York, Aug 7 (PTI) With eight of the world's 10 most populous cities situated near rivers or seas and already witnessing hazards of flooding, a United Nations-backed report calls on governments to take urgent steps to protect their cities from adverse effects of climate change.
"Ultimately, the cities hardest hit by climate change will be the ones least
prepared," said Neeraj Prasad, the World Bank's Lead Environmental Specialist
for the region.
The report "Climate Resilient Cities" - jointly produced by the UN
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the World Bank and the
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) - also offers
suggestion for making cities more resilient to withstand the effects of the
disasters.
Global warming points towards more frequent and extreme weather events, the
administration must take action to protect their cities sooner rather than
later, the report urged.
It said that for every one metre rise in sea levels, there will be a
corresponding two percent drop in Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) due to the
decrease in fresh water, damage to agriculture and fisheries, disrupted tourism
and reduced energy security, among other consequences.
The surging concentration of people in cities also steps up their
susceptibility to climate-related damage, the report said.
The study cited East Asia as one of the world's most vulnerable areas. "We have
seen events like the 2004 tsunami, and recently Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and a
typhoon in the Philippines," said Jitendra J Shah, who coordinates the World
Bank's environmental programme in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.
The report calls on cities to strategise for consequences of climate change and
to mitigate future natural disasters. It calls for reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions.
Some measures the report recommends are simple, such as raising awareness of
global warming's impact, promoting the use of bicycles and increasing the use
of energy-efficient public transport vehicles.
Others measures entail legislation and increased investment, including
providing fossil fuel alternatives and improving public infrastructure.
"Every city is different," said Prasad. "There is no cookie-cutter solution to
climate change impacts. It's important that you are able to anticipate the
likely impact of climate change on your city and make the decision."
"Ultimately, the cities hardest hit by climate change will be the ones least
prepared," said Neeraj Prasad, the World Bank's Lead Environmental Specialist
for the region.
The report "Climate Resilient Cities" - jointly produced by the UN
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the World Bank and the
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) - also offers
suggestion for making cities more resilient to withstand the effects of the
disasters.
Global warming points towards more frequent and extreme weather events, the
administration must take action to protect their cities sooner rather than
later, the report urged.
It said that for every one metre rise in sea levels, there will be a
corresponding two percent drop in Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) due to the
decrease in fresh water, damage to agriculture and fisheries, disrupted tourism
and reduced energy security, among other consequences.
The surging concentration of people in cities also steps up their
susceptibility to climate-related damage, the report said.
The study cited East Asia as one of the world's most vulnerable areas. "We have
seen events like the 2004 tsunami, and recently Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and a
typhoon in the Philippines," said Jitendra J Shah, who coordinates the World
Bank's environmental programme in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.
The report calls on cities to strategise for consequences of climate change and
to mitigate future natural disasters. It calls for reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions.
Some measures the report recommends are simple, such as raising awareness of
global warming's impact, promoting the use of bicycles and increasing the use
of energy-efficient public transport vehicles.
Others measures entail legislation and increased investment, including
providing fossil fuel alternatives and improving public infrastructure.
"Every city is different," said Prasad. "There is no cookie-cutter solution to
climate change impacts. It's important that you are able to anticipate the
likely impact of climate change on your city and make the decision."
