Research Report of Sustainable Cities and Climate Change in Shanghai-China
Introduction
Climate change is one of the phenomena that have a significant impact on the sustainability of cities around the globe. The introduction of the new millennium has seen almost half of the world’s population scrambling to migrate to the cities. The act is not only a threat to the capacity such cities have to accommodate these people but also the ultimate effect it might have on the change of climate. The purpose of this report will be to examine shanghai city in china as a case study in examining problems associated with mega-cities and the contribution they have to climate change. Furthermore, the study will endeavour to give sustainable solutions to these problems that have over time bedevilled in Shanghai city.
Problems Associated with the Shanghai City
One of the issues that endanger the world’s population today is the mass movement of people in mega-cities, which is mostly linked to economic, social and environmental sustainability that is associated with urbanization (Castan and Bulkeley, 2013). Studies have shown that cities occupy nearly two percent of the world’s landmass. However, its climatic impact is primarily felt around the globe as a whole. Most cities across the world are located on coastlines, thus putting them at high risk of the dangers that might come with the ravaging impacts of change in the climate.
Additionally, in terms of energy consumption, cities account for two-thirds of the world’s energy, which is more than 70% of carbon dioxide (C02) global emissions (Huang e tal, 2016). For example, over the last three decades, China has experienced an enormous influx of its citizens in Shanghai. With an approximated area of square kilometres of 6340.5 and about 23million people living occupying this region, the city’s economic and urbanization expansion has been on the rise since the 1970s. Boasting, as a major city in east china, the cities located in the coastal religion, has attracted most rural dwellers in China. Besides, good infrastructure that boils down to governance, systems and services, investments, innovation and accessibility to resources has mostly contributed to urbanization.
The urban movement of the locals in the city has had a profound environmental impact that has witnessed in regional climate change, such as (Ilesanmi, 2010):
- Rise in global temperatures- the rise in temperatures has caused extreme weather patterns in the coastal areas, thus causing an increase in water bodies that are associated with floods.
- Tropical diseases- change of climate may be associated with increased temperatures that, in turn, causes diseases and droughts accompanied by storms.
- Gas emission- with a considerable expansion of the city, shanghai industrialization has been on the rise. Therefore, the emission of CO2 in the air has contributed to countries most respiratory diseases among the city dwellers.
- Increased energy demands: the influx of people in the city has similarly made it almost impossible for it to sustain people with the energy required, thus overstretching its volume capacity.
- Insufficient housing and sanitation: A large population in the city has contributed to the shortage of houses, which would ideally accommodate them. Besides, sanitation facilities and health care systems are not sustainable either. The
city’s management has therefore seen this trend as a significant factor contributing to china’s economic, social and environmental degradation. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Contributions to climate change
The UNEP policies assert that any urban setting should have specific sustainable development goals that contribute to climate change. For example the city of Shanghai is currently focusing on enhancing renewable energy provision while reducing vulnerability hence promoting energy efficiency. The national government, in conjunction with UNEP, has put in place measures to ensure that the city addresses the issue of industrialization explicitly, the focus is on the emission of healthy gases in the air. Besides, it has secured the climate justice system is not compromised in a bid to adequately execute fairness in terms of urban developments, services and infrastructure. Currently, the government of China has implemented several environmental policies in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions.
A typical example is seen in the control of coal consumption that attracts punitive punishment to those caught in contravention of the policy. The use of natural gas and electricity is eminent in shanghai. The illness that comes with air contamination emitted from the burning of coal will significantly be reduced. By 2030, china projects to have reduced its carbon below 2005 levels. The emissions level would be 12.8-14.3 GtCO2e, which implies 64% to 70%. It will be a good indicator of the contribution of climate change not only in Shanghai city but also in the entire country, thus enhancing sustainability in the country.
Sustainable solutions to shanghais exiting climate change
The sustainability of resources that plays a significant role in climate trends in Shanghai will be pegged on how the population of the city will be managed. A myriad of concerted efforts on regional, national and global fonts is undoubtedly required to achieve this goal. Cities around the globe should, therefore, be at the forefront in providing amicable solutions to the problem associated with climate change (Godfrey e tal, 2015). For instance, many cities in China, mainly, Shanghai have realized the need to use renewable energy sources as a way to reduce CO2 emissions in the air.
Moreover, use clean, the government has lauded modern production techniques in industrial operation with the imposition of incentives and regulations to reduce emission s in the air. The emissions of gases which contribute to over 70% of earth air contamination have also been cut, thus reducing pollution. In this regard, the city dwellers’ health improved due to fresh air being emitted in the air. The city inhabitants who are at high risk of contaminating diseases have also been covered through the introduction of foreign policies geared by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) that advocates for healthy environment sustainability. Indeed, the United Nations wing has assisted china and other local governments in raising awareness of the effects of climate change. The UNEP endeavours to initiate these concepts through cooperating with partners in organizing training and workshops geared towards impacting knowledge on city population capacity and the climate change it has to the inhabitants. Also, in collaboration with the World Bank and UN-Habitat, the wing facilitates the development of evaluation tools that helps cities address the issues regarding climate change. The alliance engages in supporting local and national governments in urban adaptation programs as well as mitigation of the processes. Being a member of the climate-neutral network that brings on board 19 cities and other varied organizations, UNEP’s main focus revolves around environmental impacts (Lamb, 2019). Therefore, having a sustainable and CO2 emission-free society is its objective.
Conclusion and recommendations
The report has delved into discussing issues of sustainable cities and climate change, focus pegged on Shanghai as a case study. The reasons behind the emergency of mega-cities like Shanghai is good infrastructure and accessibility to government resources. Regardless, shanghai, like any other city, is still grappling with carbon emissions that have resulted in a change in the climate. Solutions such as the introduction of policies and creating awareness of the effects are laudable. Besides, the use of modern techniques like natural gas and electricity will go a long way in combating carbon emissions, thus having a sustainable city.
References
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Ilesanmi, A. O. (2010). Urban sustainability in the context of Lagos mega-city. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 3(10), 240.
Lamb, W. (2019) Here’s how cities are tackling the risks of climate change. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/03/what-do-we-know-about-climate-change-mitigation-in-cities/
Rosenzweig, C. Solecki, W. Hammer, S.A. and Mehrotra, S. (2010). Cities leade the way in climate-change action. Nature, 467, pp 909-911. Retrieved from: https://www.nature.com/articles/467909a
UN Environment (n.d) Sustainable Cities. United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved from: https://www.unenvironment.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/regional-initiatives/supporting-resource-efficiency/sustainable-cities