Educational scenario
Urban areas and climate change
“We can’t keep urbanizing at the expense of environment.”
Today, more than half of humanity lives in cities, and it is expected that by 2030, almost 60 percent of the world's population will live in urban areas. Although cities occupy only 3% of the earth surface, they account for about 70% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Urbanization has worsened urban living conditions as a result of climate change. Western European regions are more urbanized, although rapid urbanization in Eastern Europe is expected in the coming decades. This puts pressure on urban infrastructure – housing, green spaces, electricity, water and sanitation – and can adversely affect quality of life. The destruction of open green spaces due to overconstruction in the cities also threatens public health, reducing opportunities for physical activity, recovery from stress as well as damages the urban ecosystems.
Our settlement
Assign to small groups of students to do research or organize visits to a history museum, municipality or environmental institution to gather information. Organize a presentation and discussion on:
- When did your settlement appear? What is the origin of its name?
- How has it evolved over time?
- What are its natural features and environmental conditions?
- What are the specific features of the economy, education and culture of your settlement?
- How do climate changes affect your settlement?
- Does the settlement have problems with water supply, water quality, waste and air pollution?
- Does your settlement have wastewater and drinking water treatment plants?
- Is public transport well organized?
- Is separate collection and recycling applied?
Make a summary of the results and present it. On a map, mark green urban areas, sewage treatment plants, transport centers - train station, bus station, port, airport and other important structures.
Make general assessment of how good a place to live is your settlement (for example on a scale of 1 to 10)? Discuss why and what your suggestions are for improving it. How do you imagine its future?
Share the collected information within the school society. Make a meeting with local government officials.
Moderately warm, warm or hot
Organize temperature measurement in different points of the settlement at the same time in spring or summer. Use an electronic thermometer. Read the temperature on the street lane, on the sidewalks, in the park, next to an apartment block, in the central square and in the main street, in sports or children playgrounds. Record the data in a table or a map.
Comment on the results obtained. Note the difference in temperatures at the various points. Share the study at school. Make posts.
Present the video "Urban Environment and Climate Change" to the class. Discuss:
- How does having more green spaces in Copenhagen help to overcome the problems with the heavy rains?
- How does rooftop vegetation in Toronto help cope with the heat?
- What methods are applied in Australia to overcome the scarce water resources problem?
- How do they cope with the torrential rains in Yokohama?
- How do they use the forest massifs in Mexico?
