We can adapt to climate change, but we need to acknowledge it
‘Climate change is happening in both real and dramatic ways, but also in slow, pervasive ways. We can handle it, but we do need to acknowledge it. We are on a 50-year cycle, but we need to get going,’ [according to Aaron N. Durnbaugh, deputy commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment].
Laudably, Chicago, has recognized the dangers climate change presents, and, for its part, is taking action.
The windy city’s climate could resemble that of present-day Birmingham, Alabama before the end of the century — more than 70 days of temperatures above 90 degrees (more than 4 times the 20th century annual average) each year. The urban heat island effect could be extremely dangerous. In July of 1995, a Chicago heat wave with temperatures that reached 106°F, killed over 500 people in 5 days.
To prepare, several projects are underway, among them: repaving city streets and alleyways with a permeable material to allow extra rainwater to be absorbed and planting trees which thrive in a warmer climate to shade more areas of the city and absorb extra carbon.
While other cities are also taking action, the preparedness of a few is not enough. The continuity and economic successes of American communities and businesses depend on our recognition of climate change and taking action to do something about it.
Because only substantial greenhouse gas reductions will yield the desired effects — a slowing of climate change and its consequences, action must occur on a global scale. Instead, some states — like Arizona, which has backed out of its regional cap-and-trade agreement — are reversing — or trying to reverse — any positive steps towards greenhouse gas reductions (even despite its proven economic benefits).
Durnbaugh warns,
‘Cities adapt or they go away.’
For example, according to Swiss Re,
if the shore communities of four Gulf Coast states choose not to implement adaptation strategies, they could see annual climate-change related damages jump 65 percent a year to $23 billion by 2030.
To stem natural disasters spurred by a warming climate the United States needs to provide incentive for consumers and businesses to invest in a green American economy. The US need to be a global leader on this front, advancing the efforts to combat climate change in the international arena.
