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Climate change: How do cities adapt?

New Orleans: Cooperation with other cities on delt

Despite a flood protection system, hurricane Katrina devastated large parts of New Orleans, USA, in 2005. The number of heavy storms is increasing, while ground levels are sinking. 70 percent of the city which is situated on the Mississippi Delta is already below sea level. To fight the effects of climate change, New Orleans cooperates with other global cities located on river deltas.

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

Fukushima: A change of awareness?

Protective walls of up to 9 meters were too low. In 2011, the tsunami erased complete villages in north east Japan and damaged a nuclear power plant. Now people try to protect themselves with higher walls - if they can raise the money to construct them. Since many inhabitants have moved away, the crisis region lacks urgently needed tax revenues.

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

Sri Lanka: Prepared for future tsunamis

Local Singhalese people call them "tsunami runaways" - streets leading inland. Such roads have been erected along the coast since 2004 after 40,000 people were killed in the tsunami disaster. Today, an early warning system is in place and people are prepared. Many have emergency kits, park their car facing the streets to be able to leave quickly and always carry extra batteries for their mobiles.

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

Jakarta: Megacity on shaky ground

During high tide, large areas around the harbor of the Indonesian capital are flooded. 28 million people live in the metropolis and their number is increasing. They construct more buildings and pump up ground water, which leads to further sinking of ground levels. At the same time, sea levels are rising. The city tries to curb both in cooperation with other members of the "Delta Alliance".

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

Rotterdam: CO2 free energy

When a flood threatens, the Maeslant lock is tightly closed to protect Europe's biggest harbor and petrochemical industries - the economic heart of Rotterdam. The CO2 intensive industry finds its counterbalance in the "Rotterdam Climate Initiative." By promoting alternative energies and thermally efficient building material, the city wants to become the world capital of CO2 free energy.

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

London: Heatwaves, flooding and a strategy

London has a heat problem called the "Urban Heat-Island Effect". Tar and concrete store energy during daytime and emit it at night, meaning temperatures in the city are often eight degrees higher than in the surrounding countryside. The number of floods and storms is also on the increase. With its climate change adaptation strategy, London is preparing for all these scenarios.

Climate change: How do cities adapt?

Hamburg: A role model in Germany

A decrease of two million tonnes of CO2 per year – that's what the European Green Capital has achieved since 2007. Over the last 20 years, CO2 emissions have been cut by 40 percent. But Hamburg wants to go further, with advice on energy efficiency for citizens, funding for climate-friendly professions, the construction of a local transport network, as well as electric and hybrid cars.

Author: Mirjam Klaussner / ar | Editor : Helen Whittle