Major Cities Vulnerable

"London is not unique -- all major cities such as New York and Tokyo are at risk from climate change. " says Lord Mayor Boris Johnson. Noting that over 600 Londoners died as a result of the 2003 heat wave that killed about 15,000 in France alone, while low rainfall in 2004/05 led to water shortages in the capital, the Mayor has launched a strategy to help London tackle the challenge of climate change with less carbon dioxide, more trees, better drainage and increased water efficiency. "We need to concentrate efforts to slash carbon emissions and become more energy efficient in order to prevent dangerous climate change," Johnson told reporters at the iconic Thames Barrier flood defense system.