Addressing Climate Change: An Urgent Perspective for the Future
Climate change represents and will continue to represent one of the most significant challenges humanity will face in the near future. Italy, located in the heart of the “Mediterranean hot spot”, is a tangible example of how climate change has immediate and serious impacts on the territory. Therefore, it is imperative to implement adaptation actions to mitigate the risks arising from these environmental transformations.
During 2023, Italy recorded 378 extreme weather events, marking a 22% increase compared to the previous year. Floods, landslides, storm surges, hailstorms and exceptional temperatures characterized the year, with peaks such as freezing temperatures in the Alps which reached the record altitude of 5,328 metres. “Floods” and “record temperatures” have become the most frequently repeated words, highlighting the growing severity of the climate emergency.
The urgency to intervene is clear. The devastating effects of climate change, widely documented by IPCC scientists, have also become tangible in Italy, one of the most vulnerable countries on the European continent. There is a need to take an integrated approach that considers both adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its root causes, including a paradigm shift towards a more circular economy.
A climate change adaptation plan for our cities is urgently needed to improve resilience and must incorporate a series of strategic measures designed to address the current and future impacts of climate change. This plan should aim to improve the city’s resilience and reduce vulnerabilities related to phenomena such as rising temperatures and intense rainfall.
To achieve these goals, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach involving a series of concrete strategies and actions. Among these, there is the importance of increasing the number of green spaces within cities, planting trees and creating parks to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve air quality.
Furthermore, it is essential to implement sustainable drainage solutions, promote the energy renovation of existing buildings, improve accessibility to public transport and promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. It is also crucial to implement warning and communication systems to warn the population in case of extreme climate events, allowing a timely and effective response.
In all of this, information and citizen involvement play a central role. It is essential to educate and engage residents on climate resilience, the impacts of climate change and how they can individually and collectively contribute to reducing vulnerabilities.
However, it is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Adaptation measures must be tailored to the specific characteristics of each city, its challenges and its available resources. A collaborative approach and long-term planning will be essential to ensure a more resilient city in the face of climate change.
Bottom line, the time for inaction is over. We need to act with urgency and determination to address the challenge of climate change, protecting our cities and our planet for future generations.
Foggia, 12/05/2024
President,
Leonardo Antonio Soldo
