Johnson launches London climate change strategy
Friday, 29 Aug 2008 11:57
Boris Johnson announces climate change strategy
London took the first step towards preparing against the impact of climate change with the publication of a new strategy today.
Mayor Boris Johnson wants to prepare the capital for the increased risk of flooding, droughts and heatwaves caused by the impact climate change will have on weather trends in the south-east of England.
Standing on the banks of the River Thames with the Thames River Barrier behind him, Mr Johnson told reporters he hoped the strategy would put London in a "position of strength".
"We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change," he said.
"But we also need to prepare for how our climate is expected to change in the future."
Mr Johnson hopes to lead a city-wide "urban greening programme" which will help absorb and retain rainwater, lowering the impact of the fast runoff rate seen in the city's built-up environment.
"What I'm trying to do today is get the message across that there are real things people can do to reduce water consumption, make sure they know about the risks to themselves and their property from flooding and that they understand that the green cover we intend to increase is a good thing," Mr Johnson continued.
"I've always been determinedly green. Climate change is not just about rising sea levels… there is a synergy between the demands of big science and what we want to do with the urban landscape."
Mr Johnson said London has things to learn from Beijing, its predecessor as the world's Olympic city, highlighting the ten million trees planted in Beijing for the Olympics.
"As you know I'm very proud to have scrapped the Londoner newspaper and we've got a pledge to plant 10,000 trees. London is one of the greenest cities in the world, but we can do better."