Cities, Vulnerability, and Climate Change

Climate change is increasingly been recognized as one of the most serious threats to human society and to the socioecological systems that are so valued by humans. Curbing the emission of greenhouse gases is certainly an urgent need if we are going to address the root cause of climate change. However, the existing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is already sufficient to cause extreme climate-related events, as well as other anomalies during the next few decades. Cities occupy the center stage of discussion about the mitigation of greenhouse gases and adapting to the expected impacts of climate change. Cities in Asia in particular are already witnessing the impacts of climate change–induced disasters such as flooding, water stresses in summer, intense rainfall-induced landslides, and strong typhoons. Cities in Asia have great potential to incorporate strategies for reducing the root causes of climate change by changing people’s lifestyles, increasing 3R’s, enhancing resource efficiency, and other actions. Cities also must create strategies to combat increasing climate change–induced crises. From the reduction of poverty to the creation of new employment opportunities, these initiatives require cities to innovate and act smartly by encompassing climate change impacts.