Our ever lovable Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has warned that climate change could threaten our cosy way of life and our capitals status as a leading world city thus he wishes to implement a strategy to cope with it, including measures such as urban greening, flood risk management and cooler buildings. Johnsons’ strategy, – apparently the first of its type for a major world city – details the ways in which to deal with global warming. Implementing ‘urban greening’ of the city – using green spaces, green roofs and tree planting to absorb and retain rainwater – and reducing water usage is necessary to adapt London to the increased risks of flooding, droughts and heat waves which are expected to be brought about by global warming.
Some other measures of the strategy include; Improving flood risk management on the Thames tributaries where properties are at significant risk of flooding. Reducing the leakage from water mains. Introducing compulsory water metering in developments where it is practical, to aid homes in becoming more water efficient. Designing new buildings and adapting old ones to minimise the need for cooling facilities.
”We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change. But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future”, said Johnson.
The strategy also covered the problems London will have to deal with when facing Global warming, preparing to cope with the more frequent and extreme weather conditions and changes in the seasons, including warmer, wetter winters and hotter drier summers. Currently people can barely cope with a few days over 25C in July without it becoming a ‘heat wave’, or a couple of frosty mornings in January without general meltdown of the train service and declaration of a ‘cold snap’, however it seems we can ditch our exaggerated buzz terms and over reactions because things are going to get tougher weather wise.
”The strategy I am launching today outlines in detail the range of weather conditions facing London, which could both seriously threaten our quality of life – particularly that of the most vulnerable people – and endanger our pre-eminence as one of the world’s leading cities”, Johnson said.
It is not just London, but all major cities that are at risk, and this strategy – a legal requirement under the Greater London Authority Act – is putting London at the head of an unavoidable movement. The mayor feels that London is in a good position to take this stance on dealing with climate change, and is hopeful that it may open up ‘green’ jobs in the city.
The strategy outlines the main threats towards the city as flooding, drought and heat waves. Aprox 1.25 million people are at risk of flooding, along with almost half a million properties, 441 schools, 75 underground and DLR stations and 10 hospitals. The Thames region has lower water availability per person than Morocco, but there is larger consumption than the national average, and about 600m litres a day are lost through leaks. Alongside the water shortage, the summer’s hottest temperatures have been rising over the years.
