As a result of climate change, more and more people in cities are exposed to flooding, extreme temperatures, and water or food shortages.
The infrastructure of major cities can be damaged by landslides, flooding, or temperature events, with cascading effects throughout the city. Power outages can affect water pumping, traffic control, street lighting, and hospitals, schools, and homes.
It is primarily poorer and disadvantaged populations that are most at risk and least able to cope with the consequences. The combination of increasing vulnerability and increasing exposure means that more and more urban dwellers are at risk from climate change impacts.
To counteract this, the risks of climate change must be taken into account when planning cities and infrastructure. Reasons why this is often neglected include lack of understanding, conflicting priorities, lack of funding, or lack of access to appropriate technologies.
