Actions to help lessen to the problem

The analysis shows that average temperatures have risen since in the last decades, with an increased rate of warming over the past 20 years.

Total annual precipitation did not vary much but drought conditions have have become more frequent and so extreme weather events.

What can be done locally to fight climate change?

We can create a joint local action plan.

Actions can be performed at school:

• it's necessary to develop environmental education to all areas of the curriculum (geography, science, english, mathematics, art, music, history);

• students should be encouraged walking and cycling to school;

• students should be encouraged to explore local landscapes and get involved in social or environmental projects. These activities will allow them to learn just as much.

Local farmers can get help from local environmental groups, local authorities and agricol advice centre; because of the increase of the temperatures and the decrease in the amount of water, we propose following activities:

• we can buy local food;

• we can change the way children value their food and how they look at the farming industry: they can plant their own fruit in the school garden, so they can develop their understanding in farming and where their food comes from.

• we can propose an information campaign that leads farmers to vary the type of crops, favoring those that are more suitable for the new climatic conditions

Fire-fighting stations can be created in wooded areas

Climate change mitigation and adaptation can be addressed in city plans, and:

• we can increase the number and surface of green areas

• we can plant more trees

Urban areas are characterized by higher average temperatures than the surrounding peripheral and rural areas due to widespread overbuilding, the presence of asphalted surfaces, emissions from motor vehicles, industrial plants and heating and air conditioning systems for domestic use.

One of the most effective means for controlling the urban microclimate is vegetation: natural surfaces reduce heat more than urban pavements, bare ground or synthetic materials due to the evapotranspiration process. Evapotranspiration from trees or green areas increases the relative humidity of the air and indirectly contributes both sun protection and reduction of the temperature in the city.

The reduction in temperatures due to vegetation can induce urban breezes that can contribute to the cooling of the site and buildings.