Extreme events and climate adaptation‐mitigation linkages: Understanding low‐carbon transitions in the era of global urbanization

an article by William Solecki and Peter Marcotullio (City University of New York, USA) and Nancy Grimm, Christopher Boone, Jose Lobo and Corrie Griffith (Arizona State University, Tempe, USA), Antje Bruns (Universitat Trier Governance & Sustainability Lab, Germany), Andres Luque (Durham University, UK), Patricia Romero‐Lankao (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lakewood, Colorado, USA), Andrea Young (Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil), Rae Zimmerman (New York University, USA), Rebekah Breitzer (City University of New York Graduate School and University Center, USA) and Alexander Aylett (National Institute for Scientific Research, Montréal, Canada) published in WIREs Climate Change Volume 10 Issue 6 (November/December 2019)

Abstract

It has become increasingly clear that cities will have to simultaneously undertake both adaptation and mitigation in response to accelerating climate change and the growing demands for meaningful climate action.

Here we examine the connections between climate mitigation and climate adaptation, specifically, between low‐carbon energy systems and extreme events. The article specifically addresses the question, how do responses to extreme climate risks enhance or limit capacity to promote city‐level greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation?

As a step toward answering this question, we present a framework for considering windows of opportunity that may arise as a result of extreme events and how these windows can be exploited to foster development and implementation of low‐carbon energy strategies.

Four brief case studies are used to provide empirical background and determine the impact of potential windows of opportunity.

Some general conclusions are defined. In particular, the existing energy system structure is an important determinant of impact and potential for energy transitions. Well‐developed and articulated governance strategies and ready access of effective and economically efficient alternative energy technology were key to transitions.

However, prospects for inequity in development and implementation of low‐carbon solutions need to be considered.

Finally, exploiting windows of opportunity afforded by extreme events for developing low‐carbon economy and infrastructure also can provide resilience against those very events. These types of responses will be needed as extreme events increase in frequency and magnitude in the future, with cities as primary sites of impact and action.

Visual abstract
Low carbon urban transitions occur in cities with extreme event vulnerabilities—street scene in flood prone Rotterdam 2016 (source: author Solecki)

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