Jul 8, 2009, 4:08 GMT
Washington - It's coming! Global warming is on its way, and US cities are getting ready for it!
That at least is the message of a new report being released early Wednesday that says US cities are bracing against the effects of climate change and developing plans to adapt.
New York for example has launched a special task force to to protect its infrastructure systems, according to the report released by the Carbon Disclosure Project, a British-based global organization of 475 private investors intent on getting companies to start measuring their carbon footprint as a business risk.
Chicago is developing plans to deal with extreme heat, extreme precipitation and ecosystem changes.
Flood and weather damage, shortages of food, water and energy, health risks and economic deterioration are all problems cities could face as the climate grows warmer.
But in addition to preparations to adapt to the warmer weather, the cities are also working to lower their own carbon emissions.
Atlanta has established an office of sustainability to promote water and energy conservation and reduce emissions.
Las Vegas has a hydrogen refueling station. Denver has more than 130 hybrid vehicles in its motor fleet.
Some strategies could even help the cities financially, the report said.
New York City estimates that it can save 'hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs in the coming decade' by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Several cities have seen the renewable energy industry create thousands of new jobs.
Broad efforts by the cities' governments to measure, disclose and regulate their carbon emissions can help lead businesses and residents to reduce their own emissions.
'Over 70 percent of total global emissions come from cities,' Paul Dickinson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, said in the report. 'If you dont measure these emissions, you cant manage them.'
The Carbon Disclosure Project co-sponsored the report with a group, Local Governments for Sustainability USA. The report was drawn from a questionnaire about climate change data and policies completed by 18 US cities in 2008.
The group's investors include heavy hitters like Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. In 2008, the combined investment muscle of the group was 41 trillion dollars, or one-third of the world's invested assets.
Their holdings have climbed to 55 trillion dollars this year, but it was not clear what percentage of total assets that represents.
The sustainability group represents 1,088 towns and counties all over the world that are working toward sustainable development.
Among the specific threats to US cities detailed in the report:
Las Vegas and West Palm Beach, Florida, for example, could both face water shortages due to climate change, and may need to tighten regulations on water consumption in coming years.
Midwestern cities noted the soil erosion, temperature changes and longer seasons could hurt farming and food production, and costal cities like Annapolis and New Orleans could face catastrophic damage from rising sea levels.
Rising summer temperatures could spread insect-born diseases and decreased air quality could worsen respiratory illnesses.
More detailed strategies for the cities to mitigate the effects of climate change are still in the planning stages, but Dickinson says that the cities' research and self-examination are an important first step.
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