1. READING RESPONSE OF READING AND VIDEOS (INCLUDING 3 QS FROM READINGS)
The videos and required reading on climate change, specifically the scientific basis on it and about extreme events, was interesting to read since I didn’t know the exact facts of what has been going on, only general ideas. The first video, Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, was a general video on climate change and how greenhouse gases have affected the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases have been created by human influences and the facts have shown that there is no denying this. Oceans are warming and sea levels are rising because of the melting of glaciers. With all these problems arising and more, we need to learn how to adapt to this and design for resilience and for the new climate that we will be living in. In Video 2, Overview of the IPCC Report of Extreme Events, experts discuss the climate and how to manage and reduce the risk of disasters. It is discussed how the combination of climate and society is how natural events become disasters because this is when society is unprepared for climate events. This made be think, if us being unprepared makes the event a disaster, than can you classify the events as a climate change disaster? Or is it the fact that we are just not prepared for the climate events that happen (but its not because of climate change)? Interesting to think about. In the reading, Climate Change and Cities: First Assessment Report of the Urban Climate Change Research Network, this reports builds the scientific basis and research to show a city’s vulnerability to climate hazards and how cities can change and steps that should be taken to act on the effects of climate change. The risk and vulnerability framework that has been determined is: climate hazards, vulnerabilities to the social, economic or physical characteristics, and adaptive capacity aspects that relate to the ability for a city to act. This framework seems extremely broad and not specific, which made me ask why so broad? Wouldn’t it help more to have a framework that’s more specific that cities can use as a checklist to go though and see if they are at risk for certain climate change events? Throughout this whole report, it describes urban climate, the impact and adaptations a city needs, the transportation system, water supply, and how the land effects climate change. It was surprising that according to 2004 data, transportation accounts for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions and in many cities it is higher. Why is it higher in cities? Shouldn’t it be lower since so many people walk, bike and take public transportation instead of driving their own cars? Yes there are more people per square mile in cities but so many people use sustainable ways of transportation.
2. QUESTIONS TO ASK SPEAKERS AT UN
- Why do you think that it has been so hard for many people to believe that climate change is a real thing when there are many scientific data and improved data showing it is?
- What tips would you give the US for becoming more sustainable in a short amount of time like how Denmark was able to accomplish this?
- Bikes have been a main transportation mode in Denmark, a wonderful way to get from place to place without contributing to climate change. With so many people biking, have designs been created to ensure the safety of bikers in Copenhagen? If so, how was this accomplished? Do you have ideas in ways that NYC biking can become safer and more effective like in Copenhagen?
3. PHOTOS OF NOTES AND QUESTIONS FROM TRIP TO UN
