The European environment – state and outlook 2010

How vulnerable could your city be to climate impacts?: Climate change will affect Europe's cities in different ways. To give an overall impression of the challenge for European cities to adapt to climate change, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a series of detailed interactive maps, allowing users to explore data from more than 500 cities across Europe.
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Copenhagen beats Bristol and Frankfurt to win European Green Capital 2014: The city of Copenhagen in Denmark has won the European Green Capital Award for 2014, fending off strong competition from two other finalists, Bristol in England and Frankfurt in Germany. Fourteen cities entered the competition, of which three finalist cities presented their vision, action plans and communication strategies to the jury earlier this month.
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Europe's future depends on cities resilient to climate change: Around three quarters of Europeans live in cities. Most of Europe's wealth is generated in cities, and urban areas are particularly at risk due to climate change. Europe should seize the opportunity of improving quality of life while adapting to climate change in cities, according to a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report also warns that delaying adaptation will be much more costly in the long-term.
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Living in an urban world: An increasingly urban world will probably mean spiralling consumption and greater affluence for many. But it also means greater poverty for the urban underprivileged. Poor urban living conditions and associated environmental and health risks could impact all areas of the world, including Europe.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › SOER 2010 — assessment of global megatrends › Key facts
The search is now on for European Green Capital 2014: How green is your city? That’s the question being asked by the European Green Capital Award (EGCA), which is now searching for an exemplary city for 2014. The competition was launched by the European Commission on 14 June.
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Urban - key fact 4: A city affects a large area outside its own boundaries. For example, London alone is thought to need an area of almost 300 times its geographical size to satisfy its demands and for disposal of its waste and emissions.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key facts
Urban environment — key message 3: Cities, due to the high concentration of people and activities, deliver and demand goods and services that impact their own areas and regions far away. While cities in Europe contribute 69 % of the continent's CO2 emissions, an urban resident consumes less energy than a rural resident. Urban density and compactness enable more energy efficient forms of housing and transport – an asset for a more sustainable Europe.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages
Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The global population is congregating in our cities. Eighty per cent of the world’s estimated nine billion people in 2050 are expected to live in urban areas. Our cities and urban areas face many challenges from social to health to environmental. The impacts of cities and urban areas are felt in other regions which supply cities with food, water and energy and absorb pollution and waste. However, the proximity of people, businesses and services associated with the very word ‘city’ means that there are also huge opportunities. Indeed, well designed, well managed urban settings offer a key opportunity for sustainable living.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Number of cities greater than 50 000 inhabitants by country: Cities within each country have been differentiated according to the number of inhabitants.
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Cities, where the living is good?: Quality of life in cities and towns can mean many different things to people. Finding the right balance of a healthy environment and good social and economic provisions is a precondition. Participants of the 2008 Open Days (European Week of Regions and Cities) talk about how they see their cities and towns as a good place to live in.
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