Edx Cities and the Challenge of Sustainable development Part 4

• How can coastal cities prepare for environmental changes such as sea-level rise and increased extreme weather? - One idea is to pump out the sea water, desalt it, and use it for water-shortage problem and/or afforestation. However, this measure consumes a lot of electricity and the salty waste water has negative impacts on the environment according to a BBC podcast report. Another would be to learn from old cities below sea level such as Amsterdam or Venice. Amsterdam uses windmills and Venice is working on a coastal levee. Both ideas are environmentally friendly. The last  is to make huge drainage underground, which is said to have helped save Tokyo during typhoons in 2019 from devastating inundation except for its surrounding areas. Burying power lines underground is important in storm-prone cities to avoid massive blackouts caused by extremely strong winds toppling steel towers and trees, which actually happened in the surrounding areas of Tokyo in 2019.
• Following the example of the collaboration between Quebec and New York City for hydroelectric power, how can cities work together to create clean energy systems and lower greenhouse gas emissions?- Cities can collaborate in peak-cut by sharing electricity. Some cities are highly industrial and need much electricity in the day time while other cities are more residential and the peak time comes in the evening. Directing extra electricity in some cities to other cities in short of electricity can keep use of resources for generation low. Cities can also share information on electricity consumption trends for the same purpose. 
• In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, how can mass public transport and the share-economy contribute to economic and social inclusion? -- Mass public transport and the share-economy allow more people to live a fulfilling life by expanding their mobility, which allows them to have a job, go to school, go to hospital, have access to various cultural, sports, or entertainment facilities, take an excursion, and do many other activities that otherwise they cannot. Mass public transport and the share-economy can even grant the world great people. For example, Michael Obama as a teenage girl commuted by bus to a good high school, which was in the distant area from her community, the South Side, Chicago. That high school education allowed her a good university education and the wonderful, inspiring career. For inclusiveness and development of humanity, good access to what a city offers is essential.