Climate Change and Energy
From Urban Earth
About Climate Change, Energy Solutions, and Cities
The 20th century saw the average temperature in the New York metropolitan region increase by 2oF, and the Arctic ice cap shrink at a rate that alarms most experts in the field. Scientific models indicate that this warming trend will continue in the 21st century. Even small changes in climate can alter the environmental baseline under which cities plan and operate. Cities are radical human alterations of the natural landscape, and with 50% of the world population now living in urban areas like New York City, the global urban community must analyze and adapt to the very climate change they are creating. The Climate Change and Cities Project, sponsored by the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities will examine natural climate conditions, current conditions as influenced by urban living and prospects for the future.
Climate change research generally focuses on one of two principles; adaptation (introducing coping systems and strategies in a city impacted by climate change), and mitigation (stopping the climate from changing). The CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities Climate Change and Energy Project focuses on adaptation strategies. Recognizing that overall change in the urban community can come slowly, the goal of this project is to analyze current adaptation strategies, such as green roofing and urban cooling centers, and introduce them to the urban community. With effective and proactive adaptation strategies in place, cities can stave off the potentially catastrophic economic and health impacts of global warming, while buying much needed time for successful mitigation strategies to be identified, tested, and implemented.
Project Champions:
- Prof. Allan Frei, Hunter College, Geography.
- Prof. William Solecki, Hunter College, Geography.
Project Activities
The Climate Change and Energy Project will investigate each of the following impacts within various urban forms;
- Environmental Health Risks
- Coastal Management
- Drinking Water Resources
- Energy Use
Each impact will then be applied to various urban forms, such as cities in developed versus developing nations. Strategies for adaptation and mitigation will be investigated and modeled within the various global urban forms.
With increased weather variability, it is also important to understand the vulnerability and resistance of individual cities to extreme weather events. Related to cities in less developed countries, this project will include an investigation of climate and economic development interactions. This project will also explore the impact of economic development on a country’s energy profile. As the developing world urbanizes, understanding the complex relationship between urban form, energy use, and economic growth will be necessary in order to develop strategies for adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. Furthermore, the project will examine the higher vulnerability and lower resistance of cities in developing countries to the effects of climate change.
Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our time. There is little doubt of cities growing vulnerability to this dangerous trend. The Climate Change program at the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities is dedicated to providing cities all over the world with the information and strategies they need to thrive in spite of the ongoing effects of climate change.
