A three year study into how our cities will react to climate change has revealed some shocking truths.
The report shows that CO2 emissions need to be cut dramatically and that we will all have to prepare for more extremes in the weather. Newcastle University’s Dr Richard Dawson is one of the authors of the study and he warns that as the earth warms up we can expect more heat-waves, flooding and droughts.
The study used London as a model for how cities around the U.K. would have to adapt to the changes that will come with global warming. It said that we should all start to use greener forms of transportation, conserve water and prepare our homes for the heightened risk of flooding and other weather extremes.
It is predicted that London’s population will grow by 1 million by 2016 which will mean a dramatic increase in carbon emissions as we begin to consume even more energy. The report says that a whole array of measures need to be put in place to make sure that our cities can sustain such predicted increases in numbers.
Richard Dawson points out that it is easier and cheaper to get people to reduce their reliance on energy and transport than it is to increase supplies.
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