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An Urbanizing World Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society, Phoenix, January 12, 2009. Kai N. Lee David & Lucile Packard Foundation. Population Implosion. Cities with population >10 million
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An Urbanizing WorldPresidential Forum, American Meteorological Society, Phoenix, January 12, 2009 Kai N. Lee David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Population Implosion Cities with population >10 million Source: United Nations 2002. World Urbanization Prospects. The 2001 revision. New York: United Nations. Report ST/ESA/SER.A/216. Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Population Implosion Cities with population >10 million Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Population Implosion In 1800, 2% lived in cities. By 2008, >50%. Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Population Implosion Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Urban Ecosystem Services Water, crops, energy, breathable air, waste processing, and more come from nature. 15 liters of water weighs 15 kG (33 lb) Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Urban Ecosystem Services A city is a physical and social mechanism to acquire and deliver essential natural services to a concentrated human population • Infrastructure • Markets, governance Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Urban Ecosystem Services Environmental threats: local for poor; global for rich Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society
Urbanization…and sustainability Humans are a predominantly urban species; In the next half century, will build as much urban habitat as now exists • Large majority in poor and developing economies • Can build for sustainability & non-stationary climate Further reading: Lee, State of the World 2007—Our Urban Future (W.W. Norton/Worldwatch), chap. 1. Presidential Forum, American Meteorological Society