Youth Adaptation Dialogue: Climate Resilient Cities
On the occasion of World Cities Day, the GCA Youth Adaptation Network is holding a dialogue to discuss how to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Event description:
Globally, climate-related and other difficulties and hazards, such as floods, droughts, sea level rise, heat-waves, landslides, and storms, are increasingly affecting cities. Coastal flooding is projected to affect at least 130 port cities, each with a population of over one million people – most of whom are young people. Cities are home to more than half of the world’s population and a hub for critical infrastructure and concentrated economic activities. If cities do not establish multi-hazard urban resilience to future shocks and stressors today, there will be a long-life impact on future generations and current generations in the near future. Currently, it is estimated that climate change related hazards and its cascading multi-hazards might cost cities worldwide USD 314 billion per year by 2030.
In many emerging economies, young people in urban centers are prone to living in informal settlements which increases their vulnerability to climate risks. They lack proper housing and access to basic amenities such as adequate sanitation, fresh and potable water, storm drainage systems, dependable energy, and efficient, inexpensive mobility to varied degrees. Because the informal settlements are in exposed, insecure places, they are particularly vulnerable to a variety of risks, including climate change.
On the occasion of World Cities Day and in line with the Global Youth Call to Action on Adaptation, the Global Centre on Adaptation´s Youth Adaptation Network recognizes the need to handle complex urban concerns in a comprehensive and integrated manner, in recognition of SDG 11; “make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable”. Thus, the Youth Adaptation Network is organizing the October session of Youth Adaptation Dialogue which will focus on Climate Resilient Cities, on Wednesday October 20th, 2021 at 15:00 – 16:00 CEST.
The main aim of this dialogue is to bring together stakeholders who are promoting the advocacy for comprehensive resilient city policies and innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis, urban poverty, and informal settlements, as well as providing resilient urban infrastructure and ensuring universal access to basic services. The dialogue will provide young people the opportunity to interact with global institutions championing resilient cities. The session will showcase young leaders who are taking advantage of the negative impacts of climate change and creating solutions that protect people and the planet.