Climate

17 pages, 7344 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Water Sensitive Cities: An Integrated Approach to Enhance Urban Flood Resilience in Parma (Northern Italy)

by Arianna Dada, Christian Urich, Francesca Berteni, Michèle Pezzagno, Patrizia Piro and Giovanna Grossi

Climate 2021, 9(10), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100152 - 16 Oct 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4340

Abstract

Climate change is globally causing more intense meteorological phenomena. Our cities experience increased rainfall intensity, more intense heat waves, and prolonged droughts providing economic, social, health and environmental challenges. Combined with population growth and rapid urbanization, the increasing impact of climate change will [...] Read more.

Climate change is globally causing more intense meteorological phenomena. Our cities experience increased rainfall intensity, more intense heat waves, and prolonged droughts providing economic, social, health and environmental challenges. Combined with population growth and rapid urbanization, the increasing impact of climate change will make our cities more and more vulnerable, especially to urban flooding. In order to adapt our urban water systems to these challenges, the adoption of newly emerging water management strategies is required. The complexity and scale of this challenge calls for the integration of knowledge from different disciplines and collaborative approaches. The water sensitive cities principles provide guidance for developing new techniques, strategies, policies, and tools to improve the livability, sustainability, and resilience of cities. In this study, the DAnCE4Water modeling approach promoting the development of water sensitive cities was applied to Parma, an Italian town that has faced serious water issues in the last few years. The city, indeed, had to face the consequences of flooding several times, caused by the inadequacy of both the network of open channels and the sewerage network due to the urban expansion and climate change of the last 30 years. Through the model, the efficiency of decentralized technologies, such as green roofs and porous pavement, and their integration with the existing centralized combined sewer system was assessed under a range of urban development scenarios. The obtained results show that the adoption of an integrated approach, including soft engineering hydraulic strategies, consisting in the use of natural and sustainable solutions, can increase resilience to urban flooding. Further, the study shows that there is a critical need for strategic investment in solutions that will deliver long-term sustainable outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Adaptation and Mitigation Practices and Frameworks)

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15 pages, 3263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geospatial Assessment of Flood-Tolerant Rice Varieties to Guide Climate Adaptation Strategies in India

by Nisha Koppa and Giriraj Amarnath

Climate 2021, 9(10), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100151 - 13 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 8173

Abstract

Rice is the most important food crop. With the largest rain-fed lowland area in the world, flooding is considered as the most important abiotic stress to rice production in India. With climate change, it is expected that the frequency and severity of the [...] Read more.

Rice is the most important food crop. With the largest rain-fed lowland area in the world, flooding is considered as the most important abiotic stress to rice production in India. With climate change, it is expected that the frequency and severity of the floods will increase over the years. These changes will have a severe impact on the rain-fed agriculture production and livelihoods of millions of farmers in the flood affected region. There are numerous flood risk adaptation and mitigation options available for rain-fed agriculture in India. Procuring, maintaining and distributing the newly developed submergence-tolerant rice variety called Swarna-Sub1 could play an important role in minimizing the effect of flood on rice production. This paper assesses the quantity and cost of a flood-tolerant rice seed variety- Swarna-Sub1, that would be required during the main cropping season of rice i.e., kharif at a district level for 17 major Indian states. The need for SS1 seeds for rice production was assessed by developing a geospatial framework using remote sensing to map the suitability of SS1, to help stakeholders prepare better in managing the flood risks. Results indicate that districts of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh will require the highest amount of SS1 seeds for flood adaptation strategies. The total estimated seed requirement for these 17 states would cost around 370 crores INR, less than 0.01 percent of Indian central government’s budget allocation for agriculture sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Food Insecurity)

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26 pages, 11634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamical Downscaling of Surface Air Temperature and Wind Field Variabilities over the Southeastern Levantine Basin, Mediterranean Sea

by Mohamed ElBessa, Saad Mesbah Abdelrahman, Kareem Tonbol and Mohamed Shaltout

Climate 2021, 9(10), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100150 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2726

Abstract

The characteristics of near surface air temperature and wind field over the Southeastern Levantine (SEL) sub-basin during the period 1979–2018 were simulated. The simulation was carried out using a dynamical downscaling approach, which requires running a regional climate model system (RegCM-SVN6994) on the [...] Read more.

The characteristics of near surface air temperature and wind field over the Southeastern Levantine (SEL) sub-basin during the period 1979–2018 were simulated. The simulation was carried out using a dynamical downscaling approach, which requires running a regional climate model system (RegCM-SVN6994) on the study domain, using lower-resolution climate data (i.e., the fifth generation of ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis of the global climate ERA5 datasets) as boundary conditions. The quality of the RegCM-SVN simulation was first verified by comparing its simulations with ERA5 for the studied region from 1979 to 2018, and then with the available five WMO weather stations from 2007 to 2018. The dynamical downscaling results proved that RegCM-SVN in its current configuration successfully simulated the observed surface air temperature and wind field. Moreover, RegCM-SVN was proved to provide similar or even better accuracy (during extreme events) than ERA5 in simulating both surface air temperature and wind speed. The simulated annual mean T2m by RegCM-SVN (from 1979 to 2018) was 20.9 °C, with a positive warming trend of 0.44 °C/decade over the study area. Moreover, the annual mean wind speed by RegCM-SVN was 4.17 m/s, demonstrating an annual negative trend of wind speed over 92% of the study area. Surface air temperatures over SEL mostly occurred within the range of 4–31 °C; however, surface wind speed rarely exceeded 10 m/s. During the study period, the seasonal features of T2m showed a general warming trend along the four seasons and showed a wind speed decreasing trend during spring and summer. The results of the RegCM-SVN simulation constitute useful information that could be utilized to fully describe the study area in terms of other atmospheric parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sub-Regional Scale Climate Change)

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11 pages, 1056 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Road Salt Damage to Historical Milestones Indicates Adaptation of Winter Roads to Future Climate Change May Damage Arctic Cultural Heritage

by Hans Antonson, Philip Buckland and Göran Blomqvist

Climate 2021, 9(10), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100149 - 9 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2902

Abstract

There is no doubt that anthropogenic global warming is accelerating damage to cultural heritage. Adaptation measures are required to reduce the loss of sites, monuments and remains. However, little research has been directed towards understanding potential impacts of climate adaptation measures in other [...] Read more.

There is no doubt that anthropogenic global warming is accelerating damage to cultural heritage. Adaptation measures are required to reduce the loss of sites, monuments and remains. However, little research has been directed towards understanding potential impacts of climate adaptation measures in other governmental sectors on cultural heritage. We provide a case study demonstrating that winter road salt, used to reduce ice related accidents, damages historical iron milestones. As the climate warms, road salt use will move north into areas where sites have been protected by contiguous winter snow cover. This will expose Artic/sub-Arctic cultural heritage, including Viking graves and Sami sites, to a new anthropogenic source of damage. Research and planning should therefore include the evaluation of secondary impacts when choosing climate adaptation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Landscape Approaches and Climate Change Policy)

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16 pages, 752 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Non-Conventional Agricultural Spaces and Climate Change: The Cases of Le Grenier boréal and Lufa Farms in Quebec, Canada

by Mélanie Doyon and Juan-Luis Klein

Climate 2021, 9(10), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100148 - 2 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3976

Abstract

The objective of this text is to present a reflection on the link between local initiatives to combat food insecurity and actions adapting to climate change. To this end, two case studies of ongoing experiments in the Canadian province of Quebec will be [...] Read more.

The objective of this text is to present a reflection on the link between local initiatives to combat food insecurity and actions adapting to climate change. To this end, two case studies of ongoing experiments in the Canadian province of Quebec will be presented and compared. While these two cases are very different in terms of location, production and people involved, they share the objective of bringing fresh and healthy food, produced locally, to the population of their territory and of rethinking the relationship of the community to nature through food production. Despite their significant differences, each of these two cases features actions for responding to problems that have a common cause: an agro-industrial food system that, by decoupling the locations of production and consumption, in order to maximize the economic profitability of the capital invested, has compromised both the health of citizens and the ecological balance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Food Insecurity)

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17 pages, 1194 KiB

Open AccessReview

Potential for More Sustainable Energy Usage in the Postharvest Handling of Horticultural Produce through Management of Ethylene

by Ron Baden Howe Wills

Climate 2021, 9(10), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100147 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3054

Abstract

The perishable nature of fruit and vegetables requires some technological intervention to maintain quality during handling and marketing. The technology of choice for many years has been use of low temperatures as it is effective in reducing metabolism and hence extend postharvest life. [...] Read more.

The perishable nature of fruit and vegetables requires some technological intervention to maintain quality during handling and marketing. The technology of choice for many years has been use of low temperatures as it is effective in reducing metabolism and hence extend postharvest life. However, refrigerated storage is energy intensive and the growing urgency to reduce international greenhouse gas emissions has created a need for technologies that are more environmentally sustainable but still acceptable to consumers. Ethylene is well known to promote ripening and senescence of fruit and vegetables. This presentation will review the existing data that support the potential for managing the concentration of ethylene in the atmosphere around produce in postharvest situations to allow a reduced reliance on refrigeration and thus reduce energy consumption. Methods for managing ethylene levels around produce, and barriers that need to be overcome in order to move from a temperature-based mindset are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Advances in Refrigeration Systems and Packaging Solutions: Impact in Climate Change and Food Products)

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19 pages, 883 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Drives Climate Action in Canada’s Provincial North? Exploring the Role of Connectedness to Nature, Climate Worry, and Talking with Friends and Family

by Lindsay P. Galway, Thomas Beery, Chris Buse and Maya K. Gislason

Climate 2021, 9(10), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100146 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5555

Abstract

Despite widespread calls to action from the scientific community and beyond, a concerning climate action gap exists. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the role of connectedness to nature in promoting individual-level climate action in a unique setting where climate research [...] Read more.

Despite widespread calls to action from the scientific community and beyond, a concerning climate action gap exists. This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the role of connectedness to nature in promoting individual-level climate action in a unique setting where climate research and action are lacking: Canada’s Provincial North. To begin to understand possible pathways, we also examined whether climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends mediate the relationship between connectedness to nature and climate action. We used data collected via postal surveys in two Provincial North communities, Thunder Bay (Ontario), and Prince George (British Columbia) (n = 628). Results show that connectedness to nature has a direct positive association with individual-level climate action, controlling for gender and education. Results of parallel mediation analyses further show that connectedness to nature is indirectly associated with individual-level climate action, mediated by both climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends. Finally, results suggest that climate worry and talking about climate change with family and friends serially mediate the relationship between connectedness to nature and with individual-level climate action. These findings are relevant for climate change engagement and action, especially across Canada’s Provincial North, but also in similar settings characterized by marginalization, heightened vulnerability to climate change, urban islands within vast rural and remote landscapes, and economies and social identities tied to resource extraction. Drawing on these findings, we argue that cultivating stronger connections with nature in the places where people live, learn, work, and play is an important and currently underutilized leverage point for promoting individual-level climate action. This study therefore adds to the current and increasingly relevant calls for (re-)connecting with nature that have been made by others across a range of disciplinary and sectoral divides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropogenic Climate Change: Social Science Perspectives)

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15 pages, 1997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Climate Variability on Maize Production in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana

by Godwin P. Cudjoe, Phillip Antwi-Agyei and Benjamin A. Gyampoh

Climate 2021, 9(10), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9100145 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5736

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the sectors most susceptible to changes in climatic conditions. The impact is even stronger in Africa, where rain-fed agriculture is vital for daily subsistence, but where adaptive capacity is low. It is therefore crucial to increase the understanding of [...] Read more.

Agriculture is one of the sectors most susceptible to changes in climatic conditions. The impact is even stronger in Africa, where rain-fed agriculture is vital for daily subsistence, but where adaptive capacity is low. It is therefore crucial to increase the understanding of the actual climate change dynamics on agricultural productivity. This study examined the effects of changes in climatic variables such as rainfall and temperature on maize production in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana. Regression, chi-square and trend analyses were used to establish the relationship between climate variables (rainfall and temperature) and maize yield in the study area. This was supplemented with participatory household interviews with 120 farmers to understand the perception of farmers on rainfall and temperature patterns. The results from the study respondents and trend analysis show that rainfall is shorter in terms of duration and less predictable, whilst temperature has increased. The findings suggest that the general relationship between rainfall, temperature and maize yield is such that maize yield increased with increasing rainfall of the right amount and distribution pattern and decreased with increasing temperature. The study concludes that climate variability and/or change is evident in the study area and its effect on maize yield is severe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate Adaptation and Mitigation)

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