Commentary: How Chinese Cities Are Turning the Climate Crisis Into Opportunity

By Wen Hua, Lu Lu and Zhou Weiqi

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Floodwaters cover a park in Southwest China’s Chongqing in July 2023. Photo: VCG

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. In late October, Storm Dana’s flooding claimed 217 lives in Valencia, Spain. This summer, China experienced its hottest period since comprehensive meteorological records began in 1961, with numerous heat stroke patients filling intensive care units in cities including Shanghai and Hangzhou, where temperatures soared.

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Storm Dana in Spain caused 217 deaths, and China experienced unprecedented heat, highlighting climate change's immediate impacts.
A WRI study predicts severe weather risks for East Asian cities, projecting a 70% increase in hot days under a 3°C scenario, with notable heat waves in China's regions.
China's climate challenges include increased flood, landslide, and disease risks, requiring robust adaptation and emission reduction strategies, as detailed in initiatives and studies by the WRI and at international forums like COP29.

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Who’s Who

World Resources Institute: The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that develops statistical models to assess climate risks. Their recent study analyzes temperature and precipitation indicators across nearly 1,000 cities under different warming scenarios. They highlight that East Asian cities, especially in China, face severe climate threats. WRI emphasizes the economic viability of climate-resilient infrastructure and partners in initiatives like near-zero carbon communities to promote sustainable urban development.

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What Happened When

First three quarters of 2024：: Floods and geological disasters in China affected 50.38 million people, caused 703 deaths or disappearances, and resulted in direct economic losses of 235.94 billion yuan.

Summer 2024：: China experienced its hottest period since 1961, with numerous heat stroke patients in Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Late October 2024：: Storm Dana's flooding claimed 217 lives in Valencia, Spain.

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