The sustainable city

The world´s climate is changing. The scientific evidence is incontrovertible: most of this change is due to human activity, and the process is speeding up as more and more carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases are pumped into the atmosphere. The next decades are critical. Carbon dioxide emissions must be cut rapidly. If they are, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we may limit the rise in global temperatures to two degrees centigrade. This could trigger mass extinction of many plants and animals, a complete loss of ice sheets, rising sea levels and significantly altered weather patterns. There is no luxury of time. As more and more of the world´s population crowds into cities, the urban environment needs to become a better place to live: a place that improves health, well-being and economic prosperity while simultaneously and dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plans are about more than protecting the environment; they also provide maintenance or better level of services with reduced resources and budgets; help citizens save money and increase the quality of life. Sustainable development means that contractors, designers and real estate developers aim to create buildings and communities that minimize the depletion of natural resources and use renewable resources so as not to compromise for future generations. Sustainable development practices emphasize efficient use of resources such as energy, water and building materials. The practice addresses building sitting, design, construction practices, construction materials, operation, maintenance and removal. It also includes an emphasis on renewable resources generated from sustainable sources, including solar power, hydroelectricity, wind generators and harnessing the earth´s geothermal sources to generate energy. A sustainable city is one that practices sustainable methods and works with citizens and neighboring communities to integrate sustainable practices int- - o daily life.