Preparing for climate change 'will boost economy'

An article on the BBC citing many shortcomings of current infrastructure in a future affected by climate change. They note how large sections of society are very energy dependent, specifically internet businesses, mobile phones, and transportation (incl. roads).

Preparing for climate change 'will boost economy'
"Early preparation for climate change impacts would bring economic benefits to the UK, say engineers in a report commissioned by the government."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12384389
BBC News, 7 February 2011

Water: Climate Change Begets Delta Urbanism

by Olga Bonfiglio
 
The famous canals of The Netherlands are not just unique tourist attractions. They are water control systems that help the Dutch in their battle against the ever-encroaching North Sea. Now this tiny country is faced with a new, more grave challenge: rising seas caused by climate change.

“Climate change leaves us with no way back,” said Renée Jones-Bos, ambassador of The Netherlands to the United States. “We must rethink our cities and inhabitants because climate change is shattering any notion of having water under our control. We must realize that we can't use any land for any purpose.”

She spoke recently at the annual conference of the American Planning Association (APA) in New Orleans about “Delta Urbanism,” her country’s new concept of water control for cities located on deltas.
Delta urbanism addresses the water landscape as well as flood risk mitigation, urban design, green buildings, green roofs and climate proofing and other technologies that cope with sustainability and resiliency issues.

“The key is sophisticated, integrated water management and sound urban planning,” said Jones-Bos.
READ MORE 

London's Bike Superhighways Bring 70% Increase in Cycling

London's bike superhighways are incredibly successful, as the front-page GOOD story remarks. According to the findings in study by Transport for London, there were 70% more cyclists out on the streets of London in October of 2010 than there were the previous year.

GOOD has more:

that means that the number of bikers on the streets pre-superhighways was 70 percent lower than it is now that the superhighways have been installed. That's some effective bike promotion, if I've ever seen it ... Will other cities see this information and start doing more for bike lane planning than simply laying them on the side of the street?

That's right -- bike use everywhere jumped, not just on the superhighways. The safe, elegant lanes evidently inspired more folks to dust off their old ten-speeds and hit the roads.

From TreeHugger via Gizmodo