Dear UBC Friends!

  It is not a nightmare, it is a fact - our cities have to face the extreme weather events like intense bursts of rainfall, floods, landslides, storms and heat waves more often than ever. The statistical analysis has shown that the risk of such events has already increased considerably due to man-made climate change. They are no more rare single cases. Occurring regularly, they are becoming an alarming trend.

  "Europe will not be spared", says the European Commission starting the Europe-wide consultation on preventing the climate change consequences and adapting to the new conditions. Presumably none of the ambitious targets of the EU's environmental policies concerning this burning issue will be achieved without the involvement of the local authorities. The UBC responded to the EC suggesting that the climate protection needs not only the intergovernmental settlements, but also the commitment of the municipalities and its inhabitants.

  The negative effects of the climate change are multi-dimensional and reach not only ecosystem but also physical infrastructure. Economic sectors - from agriculture, forestry and fisheries to tourism - will also suffer directly. Intense rainfalls and melting ice will make many Baltic cities, harbours and other developments along rivers more vulnerable to flooding.

  What exactly can we do to prevent or reduce the consequences of the climate change? This issue of the Bulletin clearly shows the double challenge the cities and its inhabitants must face: to anticipate and prevent the negative effects of the climate change and to cope with living in the changing environment. A large number of our members is aware that what we are experiencing now are only the first dangerous symptoms of the irreversible process of the global warming. The climate change strategies, regulations, researches, projects and new risk management policies are being implemented. The most tangible results have been obtained in such areas as public transport, renewable energy sector or energy savings. Moreover, the consequent policies aimed at the significant cuts in the greenhouse gas emissions in industry as well as in individual households have already borne fruits in several cities.

  The UBC called its members for action adopting unanimously the Resolution on Climate Change during the IX General Conference in Pärnu. Surely, we cannot stop this process but at least we shall try to minimize its harmful effects.

  With Baltic greetings,

Per Bodker Andersen President of UBC	Kolding, April 2008