Housing more than half of the world’s population, cities generate 50 percent of the global waste and consume two-thirds of the world’s energy. Cities emit 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, putting them on the frontlines of climate shocks such as heatwaves, flooding, and health-related problems. Moreover, more than 80 percent of the annual global costs of adaptation to climate change are estimated to be borne by urban areas.
Resilience to Climate Change
Did you know that, even though cities represent less than 3% of the habitable surface of the planet, they account for 75% of global CO2 emissions? Although this may seem like a problem, it is actually a great opportunity, since cities, in addition to being the economic and social engine of our region, are called to lead the fight against climate change.
Nature-Based Solutions and Urban Green Infrastructure: how can they benefit cities in the region?
Nature-based solutions (NBS) are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing benefits for human well-being and biodiversity.
The incorporation of the urban greening infrastructures to cities and urban centers can bring numerous benefits that respond to the climatic threats they face, which include increases in temperature and heat islands, droughts, floods, erosive processes, and loss of biodiversity, among others.
Challenges exist when planning and designing urban green spaces, but we must learn to plan our cities to balance the health, environmental, and economic needs of our communities for the long term.
At Terapia Urbana, we are committed to helping improve the communities in which we live, work, and play – including how they are conceived, designed and created. Let’s talk!