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Climate change

Climate change is the most pressing environmental, social and economic problem facing the planet. The consequences of climate change are global, long-term and in some cases, already irreversible. To tackle climate change in London, the Mayor has launched his Climate Change Action Plan.

London is inherently vulnerable to climate change – it is in the area of the UK predicted to experience the most climate change, much of the public infrastructure is from the Victorian era (and may be unable to cope with more extreme weather like flooding) and the city generates its own micro-climate that can intensify the impacts of extreme weather. London can be 9 degrees hotter than surrounding areas on a summer night – this is known as the 'urban heat island' effect.

According to a recent report by the Tyndall Centre, we may only have ten years to cut emissions before we reach a ‘tipping point’ of no return. The world needs to react now through mitigation to avoid dangerous climate change.

Additionally, we need to adapt to the climate change we cannot already avoid and prepare for the inevitable changes. The Mayor is currently preparing a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to improve London’s resilience.

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