Athens leads the “Champion Cities” in actions against extreme heat

On his initiative Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis on Friday, an online international meeting of the mayors’ counterparts of the “Champion Cities” took place on the subject of the plan and actions against extreme heat.

The City Champions for Heat Action network of the Arsht-Rock Organization and the United Nations, have signed since June, the integration of the extreme heat strategy in the working areas of the United Nations Habitat, but also throughout the UN.

The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyiannis, noted in his opening speech: “The climate crisis is here and we must act immediately and in a targeted manner. It hits the cities and the most vulnerable populations the most. Athens last summer experienced first-hand the destructive power of extreme heat with the highest temperatures ever experienced, in one of the longest heatwaves on record, followed by devastating peri-urban fires. We have undertaken important initiatives and at the core of all our actions is the shielding of the city from the consequences of extreme heat, as well as the protection of those most exposed to its dangers. I am proud that Athens is now at the helm of our joint effort.”

The mayors of Miami Dade-County – Daniella Levine-Cava, of Seville – Antonio Muñoz, of Santiago, Chile – Claudio Orrego, of Monterey, California – Luis Donaldo Colosio, and of Melbourne – Sally participated in the conference convened by Mr. Bakoyannis Capp.

During the discussion, the six Mayors of the City Champions for Heat Action initiative of the Arsht-Rock Organization exchanged good practices and ideas that they are already applying in their cities to deal with extreme heat, the “silent killer” as they described it. And they agreed on the next steps of their common path, expecting it to take the form of an international “crusade”.

Athens is emerging as the world leader in dealing with extreme heat in cities and in this context, the head of Urban Overheating of the Municipality of Athens (Chief Heat Officer), Ms. Lenio Myrivilis takes over from next November Global Chief Heat Officer at UN Habitat of the United Nations. Her appointment is recognition of the leadership role of Athens.

“Immense honor and responsibility. Indeed, many in Europe’s and the world’s capitals, and Athens among them, are expected to prove more vulnerable to rising temperatures and water scarcity. But we can reverse this scenario, and we have already seen many cities become more resilient to climate change issues. But we need to act radically and we need to act yesterday!” reported about her new role, the Chief Heat Officer of Athens, Lenio Myrivili.

City Champions for Heat Action (CCHA), focus specifically on the issue of extreme heat in cities and can play a key role in the implementation of a Global Urban Warming Strategy (GHAS), presenting the needs, challenges and opportunities of cities to protect thousands of lives and the economy from the risks associated with high temperatures, so as to encourage global commitment at the highest possible level.

Recent heatwaves in Europe and the US have caused enormous human, economic and environmental devastation. At the same time, concern has grown about these climate risks becoming more frequent, severe and larger, which reinforces the urgent need to mobilize national governments, international organizations, international financial institutions, the private sector, NGOs and academia. towards a ‘global crusade’ to address extreme heat-related risks.

Since it is in cities where the threat and impacts of extreme heat are most visible, it makes sense that mayors take on this all-important task.

The municipal authority of Athens has already been implementing a holistic plan since 2019 which aims, among other things, to curb the effects of the climate crisis and in particular extreme heat

The plan includes:

• Protection and enhancement of urban greenery. With large-scale interventions – for the first time after decades – in the precious urban lungs (National Garden, Lycabettus, Strefi Hill, Filopappou, Plato’s Academy).
• Regeneration and reinforcement of plantings in parks, groves and squares in all neighborhoods. Creation of innovative pocket parks by utilizing every available space.
• Complete plan for replanting the trees and plants that are removed from the construction sites of the new Metro stations (Kolonaki Square, Exarchion Square, etc.)
• Design and implementation of three green corridors connecting existing green spaces in three neighborhoods of Athens: Lamprini, Akadimia Platonos and Exarchia as well as a Strategy for Sustainable Water Management on Lycabettus Hill.
• The planning and implementation of the projects (Syntagma Square, Paneseptimo, Vas. Olgas, Emporiko Trigono, etc.) is based on the principles of thermal resistance. With the use of cold materials, inclusion of the water element and bold plantings of trees and plants.
• Upgrading and reopening the city’s fountains after years of disuse, which have been proven to contribute to the improvement of the microclimate in the areas where they are located.
• Implementation of an already extensive program of energy upgrading of school and municipal buildings, while incentives are provided to small and medium enterprises to proceed with energy upgrading.
• The visionary project of the Double Redevelopment, which is on track for implementation since September, will offer Athens thousands of square meters of free public space in which large green spaces will be developed that are the antidote to the Urban Heat Island phenomenon that develops in the city during the summer months .
• In addition to these, Athens implemented the pioneering program of categorization of heat waves which for the first time includes and quantified the risk faced by citizens as a whole and especially climate-vulnerable populations. In this context, the early warning and support mechanism for those in need is activated through the heat alert system.

All the actions of the Municipality of Athens are recorded in the updated Strategic Plan for dealing with the effects of the Climate Crisis which has been voted by a majority by the Municipal Council.

Read the News today and get the latest news. Follow us on Google News and be the first to learn all the news from Skai.gr.