Climate change affects all regions, including urban centers. While rural communities are often more vulnerable to climate-related risks like extreme weather events and agricultural disruptions, urban areas are also at risk.

Municipal water supplies and waste removal systems are affected by water scarcity. Urban reliance on rural areas for food supply makes urban areas equally at risk when climate change affects food security. Urban centres are also vulnerable to air pollution, heatwaves and the pressure that climate change can place on infrastructure.

Extreme weather events and rising sea levels as a result of climate change increase the flood risk to many cities and urban areas can become ‘heat islands’ that exacerbate heat-related illnesses. These areas are also more likely to attract more people as climate change makes it harder to exist in rural areas. Climate change knows no boundaries. Rural and urban communities need to build resilience in the face of climate change.