45 least-developed countries have each prepared a National Adaption Programme of
Action. Meanwhile, the state of California has prepared a Climate Adaption Strategy,
while counties in Florida have formed a Regional Climate Change Compact to coordinate
adaptation and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, many commercial organisations
are reconsidering their business models to avoid the consequences and exploit the
opportunities.
in the USA, 40% of 2015 emissions could be abated, 86% of them at negative cost.
In Europe, where like the US, new plants are relatively few, 33% of emissions could be
abated, 94% at negative cost. In China, where new infrastructure is the norm, 60% of
current and planned emissions could be abated at zero or negative cost. Nationwide,
British retailers cut their 2015 carbon emissions by 6% against those of 2014,
contributing to a 19% reduction since 2005, much of it through the adaption to high-
efficiency LED lighting.
that conservation alone will not resolve the needs of a population rapidly approaching
nine billion. Happily, new innovations are filling the gap. One of the more exciting is
Atmospheric Water Generation, which works in much the same way as an air conditioner
emits water. The technology transforms outside air with humidity as low as 40% into clean
water, a unit no larger than a domestic coffee maker producing several gallons each day.
accelerated. Currently, in developed countries, the building stock is replaced at an
average rate of only 1% per annum. In the urban landscape, including open spaces and
transport corridors, the rate is even slower.
as crime. In northern Europe, for example, where house air conditioning is not the norm,
theft increases during the summer due to the tendency to leave windows open for fresh
air circulation.
know that flooding results in loss of life and injury. However, there are far more common
consequences like the breakdown of domestic harmony, economic and mental stress.
and inner courtyards will promote shade and open space and security for windows to be
safely left open. Houses on stilts with covered yards beneath will reduce the impact of
flooding.
economic recession dominates press headlines, editorial comment and social media.
`Crisis' is the favoured term of many journalists. Yet what we are seeing today may be
nothing compared with the potential migration of hundreds of thousands and probably
millions who will seek to escape the worsening environmental problems that will accrue to
communities unable or unwilling to foster climate change resilience and adapt to the new
reality of the human environment.