Effects of Urbanization on Environment
Urbanization has a crucial impact on the environment. Once the process of urbanization has been initiated, the range of activities in urban cities contributes substantially to the environmental changes begin to occur at the micro level as well as the local level (Grimmond, 2007). At the local levels, urbanization impacts the health and well-being of its residents, especially the vulnerable urban population including the elderly and the poorer people who are directly impacted by the changes in heat levels which occur; for instance, the heat waves which occurred in India in the year 1998 and in France and Spain in the year 2003 (Grimmond, 2007). The maximum temperatures rise substantially in summers resulting in extreme conditions of temperatures and climate. As temperatures increase and cities get warmer, the demand for air-conditioning rises which in turn will additional heat and contribute to the existing high levels of carbon sink in the environment. The use of air conditioners also results in augmented levels of greenhouse gases and in increased levels of electricity use and generation. Thus, the energy demands rise phenomenally which has a debilitating effect on the environment, resulting in a vicious circle created sue to climate change, demand and supply for energy (Grimmond, 2007). In order to develop mitigation strategies for reducing the ill effects of urbanization including carbon emissions and temperature changes, it is essential to manage the energy resources effectively and efficiently. It has been studies that the demand for energy in most urban cities of the world is in summer rather than in winter (Grimmond, 2007). It is therefore essential to reduce the energy demands of cities by creating awareness among individuals and citizens to reduce their energy needs. This can be accomplished by using the media to educate the general public to use resources such as gas and petrol in efficient ways. Some strategies could be car pools and the use of public transport in order to reduce the utility of personal cars and vehicles thereby reducing the carbon emissions from cars and other means of transport. (This is only a random and should strictly be used as a sample only. To view the complete paper, e-mail us at support@customtermpaper.org or click here)