Considerations regarding the adaptation of cities to thermal stress, effect of climate change

Lucia-Ana Varga,Emilia-Cornelia Dunca,Gheorghe Zaman

doi:10.1051/matecconf/202134203017

Lucia-Ana Varga, Emilia-Cornelia Dunca + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202134203017

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Abstract

The paper aims to contribute to increasing the level of knowledge about climate change and its impact on cities in western Romania. The existing legislative framework at European and national level on resilience and adaptation to climate change is presented. The necessary climatic information is identified in order to create a scenario regarding the thermal stress and the health risk of the inhabitants of Timişoara. The results are extrapolated to other cities in the west of the country. The data obtained from the use of climate models are processed in order to use them to establish the necessary adaptation measures in order to reduce the risk to the health of the population due to future thermal stress. The paper presents uncertainties and limitations, as well as conclusions and personal contributions.

Highlights

Climate change is already having an impact on ecosystems, on the economy and on the health of the population
At European Union level, the legislation provides for the adoption of courageous measures to reduce both greenhouse gases, which are responsible for climate change and adaptation measures
The European Parliament Resolution of 17 December 2020 on the EU Climate Change Adaptation Strategy recognizes that „there is further evidence that future climate change will increase the number of extreme events associated with climate change in many EU regions, as well as in third countries and will trigger invasions of carriers of infectious diseases, which could lead to the recurrence of previously eliminated infectious diseases in the EU” [1]

Summary

Legislative framework on resilience and adaptation to climate change

Climate change is already having an impact on ecosystems, on the economy and on the health of the population. Climate variables of special interest are those related to maximum and minimum temperatures, time periods of special interest: real-time (min-hour), day-season, yeardecades, dry, as well as information about climate projections for the future Using this information can facilitate the development of an integrated heat wave action plan to protect public health, especially of vulnerable groups - e.g. children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases, as an integral part of the Adaptation Strategy. It needs to identify needs and priorities for reducing health risks given that the risk of heat to health is expected to be high in the face of future global warming. 22-24, 2006, when the maximum temperatures were 35-36°C, more than 1,300 emergency calls were registered

Climate change scenarios in Timișoara

Conclusions