Climate Change Responses Meant For One City Might Not Be As Effective In Another
2023 has been the hottest year on record. In fact, by using physical evidence like polar ice and tree rings to reconstruct temperature records, scientists have also shown that the previous year is likely to be the hottest in 125,000 years.
If greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels continue to build up in the atmosphere, scientists at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) note that the temperature shall keep rising, in addition to the risk of deadly droughts and heatwaves.
How is Europe planning to adapt?
2024 could be even hotter. Several cities across the globe susceptible to temperature surges have developed emergency response plans. But experts fear those steps might not be enough on a planet that is consistently breaking records and deepening inequalities.
Heat preparedness has improved over the years as forecasting has become more accurate. Meteorologists, journalists and government officials have also started spreading the word better. But what works in one city might not be as effective in another.
Is Europe prepared for an even-hotter future? Cities and countries across the continent have adopted measures to alert and protect the public. For instance, France launched a heat watch warning system after an extended heatwave in 2003 potentially killed 15,000 people.
Modernisation that considers extreme temperatures
In Paris, fears of a 50 degrees Celsius future have led the French capital to invest in green space. Meanwhile, Barcelona in Spain has floated another simple initiative: painting rooftops white to reflect the sun. The country has even adjusted working hours to protect employees.
Soaring temperatures have started to impact buildings, too. In London, for example, prolonged drought and heat are causing historic buildings to crack and tilt, underscoring the pressing need for modernisation that considers extreme temperatures.
