More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. And major metropolises are particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming that are already being felt. How to adapt to them and what behaviour to take on? An answer to this question is sought among the participants in the debate organized by the French Embassy in Bulgaria. The meeting is part of a series of events connected with the preparation for the 21st UN Conference on Climate Change to be held in early December in Paris.

Future climate projections are not at all rosy. It is time to realize that our life as urban dwellers will change radically, and this is to occur sooner than we would like it to happen. Forecasts are for a rapid increase in the average temperature, sea level rise and increased frequency of natural disasters, which pose a threat to the proper functioning of the urban environment. In this situation, each country is called upon to take urgent measures to prevent the consequences of global warming. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to the so-called "reference year 1990" and prevention of the rise in average temperatures by more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels is the EU common position formulated at the Council of Ministers that took place a few days ago in Brussels. "All this, however, requires specific policies at the local level", said at the Sofia discussion the Minister of Environment and Water Ivelina Vassileva.

"In our new Environment operational program we have set inside an entirely new priority axis associated with climate change, as we have laid an emphasis on the management of flood risk and the occurrence of landslides”, Minister Vassileva adds. “And all funds awarded by the EU must be brought in line with this policy. We are talking about 20% of the European resources allocated to finance various programs, which will necessarily be directed towards measures to curb climate change."

Air pollution is one of the main problems faced by cities. Let us not forget that urban areas produce 80% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, today's cities consume 80 percent of the planet's energy sources. How to deal with this critical situation? In the opinion of Clement Cohen, head of the Climate Plan of the French city of Toulouse, it is high time that people changed their minds and showed more responsibility with regard to the global challenge. And more:

"Sofia and Toulouse are facing the same problems, including with respect to general residential buildings. All residents there are co-owners. It is therefore necessary to achieve an overall agreement on the renovation of a certain apartment building, for example. Meanwhile all people living in a building must be more responsible in terms of energy efficiency. For example, it is better to turn off the radiator instead of opening the windows to reduce heat in the house. It is good that lately people increasingly resort to the use of energy-efficient heating systems in buildings. Cities must focus seriously also on their green space such as parks, recreational areas, etc. since they contribute to the cooling of the air. We exceedingly need these green spaces in order to "capture" the accumulated CO2 in the atmosphere. Because greenery and trees are excellent absorbers of harmful emissions”, Clement Cohen said in conclusion.

English Rossitsa Petcova