JABATAN KEJURUTERAAN AWAM DAN STRUKTUR

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN DAN ALAM BINA

KKKH 4284 PERANCANGAN BANDAR LESTARI

TASK6: GLOBAL WARMING

GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC NO

NURUL SYAZRINA ABD RAHMAN

A133675

LECTURER:

Prof. Ir. Dr. RIZA ATIQ ABDULLAH BIN O.K. RAHMAT

Task 6

Supposed you are living in a coastal city. The city administrator has noticed that the mean sea

level has been rising for the past 50 years. The raising is small but over a long period of time

it may cause problems in the city centre as the level of that part of the city is quite low. If you

are hired as a consultant, write a plan of action on what can be done to reduce or mitigate the

problems.

___________________________________________________________________________

As the hired consultant, first of all I would like to investigate and list down all the impacts of

the global warming to the town.

1. Current scientific research regarding the effects of global warming points out the

immediate as well as far-reaching consequences of this phenomenon. According to

scientists, the rising temperatures of the earth’s surface would spell doom for the planet in

the long run. The consequences of global warming on the coastal zones are one of the

major concerns among scientists. Rise in sea levels, a direct impact of global warming, is

the key factor threatening the coastal areas.

2. The sea level rise as an after effect of global warming is also because of the thermal

expansion of water. The water absorbs heat and expands thus causing rise in sea levels.

Moreover, water, under the effect of global warming, also evaporates quickly leading to

frequent cloud formation and increased rainfall. Sea level rise, as an effect of global

warming, is a threat to the low-lying coastal areas. With the increase in sea level, these

areas become prone to flooding and even complete sub-mergence under water.

3. Global warming also affects the population of the coastal area. This is proven when the

water level rises resulting in affected economic activity of coastal residents as an example

fishing and shipping industry.

Reference: Blog of Global Warming Overview

To overcome and minimize all this problem the solution must be taken immediately.

1. Plant a tree

Via photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb CO2 and give off oxygen. This process

are significant part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle on Earth. There are too few

plants and trees to fully counter the increase in CO2.

Conscientious efforts has been made in Sarawak to

plant more relevant trees at certain locations

2. National Coastal Planning

According to National Coastal Planning by the year 2000, coastal nations should

implement comprehensive coastal zone management plans. These plans should deal with

both sea level rise and other impacts of global climate change. They should ensure that

risks to populations are minimised, while recognizing the need to protect and maintain

important coastal zone.

Reference: The journal of Coastal Zone Management

3. Control the development of coastal area

The design and location of coastal infrastructure and coastal defenses should include

consideration of sea level rise and other impacts of climate change. Actions in particular

need of review include river levees and dams, conversions of mangroves and other

wetlands for agriculture and human habitation, harvesting of coral and increased

settlement in low-lying areas.

Reference: The journal of Coastal Zone Management

4. Use less Heat and Air Conditioning

Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking

around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by

reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.

Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep

temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter

and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

5. Ensuring sustainable development

A successful global compact on climate change must include financial assistance from

richer countries to poorer countries to help make the transition to lo-carbon development

pathways and to help adapt to the impacts of climate change.

6. Managing forests and agriculture

Taken together, tropical and emissions from agriculture represent nearly 30 percent of the

world’s heat-trapping emissions. We can fight global warming by reducing emissions

from deforestation and forest degradation and by making our food production practices

more sustainable.

CONCLUSION

“Many people don’t realize that we are committed right now to a significant amount of

global warming and sea level rise…the longer we wait to do something about it, th more

change we will have.”

Gerald Meehl, The National Center for Atmospheric Research

From this statement shows that the importance of prevention in the avoidance of sea level rise

which would have an adverse impact on the population. The most important option that

communities and government must be focus now is to develop local and national strategies in

which Mitigation and Adaptation plans complement each other.