Experts: temperatures rising in cities, need to act now

The topics of climate and climate change are becoming an increasingly important concern for the global community. What are the most damaging aspects, and how can countries and cities reduce their negative impact on nature, thereby halting climate change? What can be done about the steadily rising temperatures on the planet? This was the subject of the Climate Dialogues, which took place on 18 and 19 October 2022. One of the central debates was on Climate Adaptation: How Regions Adapt to Climate Risks.

Leading scientists, specialists and experts shared their observations and conclusions about what is currently happening in Russia, including the largest cities, what measures are being taken and what is yet to be done, and whether the measures being taken are effective.

“The EMERCOM Safety Passport is becoming one of the key documents for cities,” said Professor Valery Akimov, chief officer of the Russian EMERCOM’s (Federal Centre for Emergency Situations). Elena Akentyeva, Leading Researcher of the Main Geophysical Observatory named after A.I. Voyeikov, continued the topic of monitoring, describing Roshydromet’s climatic observations. In their reports, the company’s specialists assess risks to infrastructure, note indicators of temperature growth and changes in precipitation, and record dry periods. Based on the data obtained, Roshydromet staff make probabilistic forecasts for the coming years, indicating a further increase in temperatures in megacities.

The presentation by Ivan Serebritsky, Deputy Chairman of St. Petersburg Committee for Nature Use and Environmental Protection, was of a more applied nature. Serebritsky noted that in the near future the climate of St. Petersburg will become maritime, and some monuments of cultural heritage may be flooded. “The process is going faster than calculated,” Serebritsky noted. — And those risks that are considered moderately hazardous may soon become dangerous, and those that are dangerous may become catastrophic. This has to be taken into account. 10–15 years is not a long time. Not just to adapt, but at least to minimize". But all is not so hopeless. Serebritsky specified that losses of St. Petersburg may amount to trillions of rubles, and required investments for prevention of consequences of climate change — half a million rubles.

Alexey Kokorin, Director of Climate and Energy Programme of WWF-Russia, spoke about the impact of climate change on the behaviour of wild animals, such as polar bears, walrus and seals, and reindeer. His report described concrete actions to reduce the negative impact on both animals and people living in proximity to the animals’ habitat.

In her presentation Strategic Masterplan as a Tool for Climate Adaptation in Cities, Anastasia Nesterova, head of the Strelka project, said that new developments, increased use of cars, asphalt and emissions inevitably have an impact on the deterioration of the climatic situation in cities. What can be done for climate adaptation? Make improvements, create rain gardens, dry fountains, use green building technologies when building, and switch to environmentally friendly modes of transport. The expert believes that a strategic master plan is a comprehensive tool for urban transformation, capable of becoming a tool for dialogue with citizens, stakeholders and the professional community.

All the experts were unanimous in one thing: we must act now, and investments in prevention will reduce losses of cities and damage to public health.

Read more in the discussion “Adaptation strategies: how regions adapt to climate risks”.

Cover photo: iStock