Event Summary
Speakers
- John Furlow, Deputy Director for Humanitarian and International Development, International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University
- Lorenzo Carrera, World Bank Group
- Grace Doherty, World Bank Group / GFDRR
- Fabio Cian, Ca' Foscari University Venice, Department of Economics
Description
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Room: Salon de Maestros
As Africa’s cities grow, populations, assets and economic activities in coastal flood plains become more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of climate change and disaster risk. Many coastal cities are already feeling the effects of these hazards. Unplanned settlements in Senegal’s historic city of Saint-Louis are getting battered by storms and coastal erosion. In the Liberian capital of Monrovia, rising rivers and heavy rains are flooding sanitation and water systems and proliferating disease. Cities along the coast of Mozambique are seeing streets washed out and properties destroyed by urban runoff. With a rise in sea levels and increased anthropogenic pressures along the African sub-Saharan coast, these and other cities will only become more vulnerable to climate change’s dangerous effects.
So now, it’s up to you strengthen these cities’ coastal resilience! In this interactive session, you have the chance to work side-by-side with government representatives from coastal cities in Africa. Teams will brainstorm to find the best array of solutions in anticipation of extreme weather events and climate change. Join us to find out how cities can deal with coastal risk!
All areas and levels of expertise are welcome.