EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IN URBAN AREAS. A LEGAL VIEW

Abstract

"The main objectives of the current paper are the need to promote adaptation programs for urban areas; the need for increasing proactive actions of local authorities in response to extreme weather events related to climate change; and the need to raise public awareness and improve citizens' access to information on emergency situations and measures in response to natural events.

On a global scale, urban areas are responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Bucharest is under increased exposure and vulnerability to heatwaves and floods, which are expected to become more frequent and persistent than before. The current analysis is based on a methodology aimed at improving the use of climate risk assessment in decision-making related to disaster reduction and adaptation to climate changes in large urban agglomerations.

As the main result, emergency measures in response to the storm that took place in Bucharest on September 20, 2017, were planned and enforced better than before. The population in urban areas reacted more quickly than in the rural region, and there was a more positive attitude among the citizens.

The main conclusions are as follows: there is a real increase in public awareness in taking immediate action in the case of extreme weather events; there is a necessity to undertake periodic analyses to improve appropriate prevention and proactive procedures and measures for such extreme weather events; proactive action refers to exercises with target groups potentially exposed to such events."