1. CIVIL & STRUCTURE DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & BUILT ENVIRONMENT
THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA
REPORT OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING
SEMESTER II, SESSION 2013/2014
KKKH4284 SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING
Assignment :
Task 6
Global Warming
Lecturer :
Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Atiq Abdullah Bin O.K. Rahmat
Pn. Norliza Bt Mohd Akhir
Dr. Muhammad Nazri Bin Borhan
Name of Student :
Nurul Afina Bt Abd Mutalib A134187

2. Supposed you are living in a coastal city. The city administrator has noticed that the mean
sea level has been rising for the past 50 years. The raising is small but over a long period of
time it may cause problems in the city centre as the level of that part of the city is quite low. If
you are hired as a consultant, write a plan of action on what can be done to reduce or
mitigate the problems.
Your report must include Mitigation and Adaptation measures.
1.0 Introduction
As climate change has warmed the Earth, oceans have responded more slowly than land
environments. But scientific research is finding that marine ecosystems can be far more
sensitive to even the most modest temperature change.
Global warming caused by human activities that emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide has raised
the average global temperature by about 1°F (0.6°C) over the past century. In the oceans, this
change has only been about 0.18°F (0.1°C). This warming has occurred from the surface to a
depth of about 2,300 feet (700 meters), where most marine life thrives.
Perhaps the ocean organism most vulnerable to temperature change is coral. There is
evidence that reefs will bleach (eject their symbiotic algae) at even a slight persistent
temperature rise. Bleaching slows coral growth, makes them susceptible to disease, and can
lead to large-scale reef die-off.
Other organisms affected by temperature change include krill, an extremely important link at
the base of the food chain. Research has shown that krill reproduce in significantly smaller
numbers when ocean temperatures rise. This can have a cascading effect by disrupting the
life cycle of krill eaters, such as penguins and seals—which in turn causes food shortages for
higher predators.
1.1 Higher Sea Levels
When water heats up, it expands. Thus, the most readily apparent consequence of higher sea
temperatures is a rapid rise in sea level. Sea level rise causes inundation of coastal habitats

3. for humans as well as plants and animals, shoreline erosion, and more powerful storm surges
that can devastate low-lying areas.
1.2 Stronger Storms
Many weather experts say we are already seeing the effects of higher ocean temperatures in
the form of stronger and more frequent tropical storms and hurricanes/cyclones. Warmer
surface water dissipates more readily into vapor, making it easier for small ocean storms to
escalate into larger, more powerful systems.
These stronger storms can increase damage to human structures when they make landfall.
They can also harm marine ecosystems like coral reefs and kelp forests. And an increase in
storm frequency means less time for these sensitive habitats to recover.
1.3 Other Consequences
Warmer sea temperatures are also associated with the spread of invasive species and marine
diseases. The evolution of a stable marine habitat is dependent upon myriad factors, including
water temperature. If an ecosystem becomes warmer, it can create an opportunity where
outside species or bacteria can suddenly thrive where they were once excluded. This can lead
to forced migrations and even species extinctions.
Warmer seas also lead to melting from below of polar ice shelves, compromising their
structural integrity and leading to spectacular shelf collapses. Scientists also worry that
warmer water could interrupt the so-called ocean conveyor belt, the system of global currents
that is largely responsible for regulating Earth's temperature. Its collapse could trigger
catastrophically rapid climate changes.
2.0 Mitigation
Projected sea-level rise will greatly affect low-lying coastal areas with large populations in
developed and developing countries worldwide. According to National Geographic, the cost
of adaptation to a newer climate could result in at least 5% to 10% of gross domestic product.

4. As mangroves, coral reefs, and the general aesthetic appeal of these natural environments are
further degraded, there will also be a loss in tourism.
2.1 Energy Conservation
One of the most important things we can do to stem climate change is to adopt forward-
thinking policies that favour renewable energy sources—such as wind, solar, geothermal, and
biomass (fuel from plant matter and organic wastes)—over fossil fuels such as coal. This
cost-effective solution will not only reduce heat-trapping emissions that cause global
warming, but will also cut other types of pollution that threaten health.
At the same time, we have to insist that fossil fuel plants clean up their acts as even
under the best of circumstances, fossil fuels will continue to provide a share of our energy for
years to come. Finally, we need to bring down energy consumption by conserving energy and
promoting energy-efficient practices and technologies.
Solar Energy
Solar energy comes from using the sun as fuel to create heat or electricity. Solar technologies
fall into two categories: passive and active. Passive solar produces heat and provides lighting
for structures. Active solar produces electricity using a technology called Solar Photovoltaic
(PV), or heat, hot water or electricity a technology called Solar Thermal.
Solar energy is considered environmentally friendly because the sun is a natural
energy source that does not require the burning of fossil fuels and the associated air
emissions. In addition, it is considered renewable since the energy produced from the sun
does not deplete any natural resources, and will never run out.
Households are encouraged to use clean electricity that is generated through solar
panels. Having solar modules installed at your home is a very good alternative and would
help reduce greenhouse gas emission from your home. Not only you are helping the
environment, you are also making yourself save a huge amount of cash.

5. Wind Energy
Wind power involves converting wind energy into electricity by using wind turbines. A wind
turbine is composed of 3 propellers-like blades called a rotor. The rotor is attached to a
tall tower. The tower looks like a very tall pole. On average wind towers are about 20m high.
The reason why the tower is so tall is because winds are stronger higher from the ground.
Wind comes from atmospheric changes; changes in temperature and pressure makes
the air move around the surface of the earth; all of which is triggered by the sun. So in a way,
wind energy is another form of solar power. A wind turbine captures the wind to produce
energy. The wind makes the rotor spin; as the rotor spins, the movement of the blades
spinning gives power to a generator which makes energy. The motion of the wind turbine
turning is called kinetic energy, this power is converted into electricity.
The Wind power is a clean energy source that can be relied on for the long-term
future. A wind turbine creates reliable, cost-effective, pollution free energy. It is affordable,
clean and sustainable. One wind turbine can be sufficient to generate energy for a household.
Because wind is a source of energy which is non-polluting and renewable, wind turbines
create power without using fossil fuels, without producing greenhouse gases or radioactive or
toxic waste. Wind power reduces global warming.
Biomass Energy
Biomass as an energy source refers to biological material which is either grown for the
purpose or the waste resulting from an agricultural or industrial process. Crops can be grown
for use as fuel or to be converted to a different form for use as fuel. The production of ethanol
from corn is an example of the second usage. Waste wood from construction or forest
operations can be burned or converted to fuel. Likewise garbage can be burned or converted
to fuel. Garbage in landfills produces methane gas which can be collected and used.
Biomass energy is commonly used in the following applications:
 Electricity production
 Heat generation

6.  Transportation fuel
Fuels and Applications
i. Cofiring: Cofiring refers to using a mixture of biomass and fossil fuels. This decreases
reliance on fossil fuel and helps reduce emissions.
ii. Landfill and Digester Gas: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, more than 20 times
more able to trap heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. It is also the main
component of natural gas, a primary fuel for electricity generation in New England.
Additionally, the decomposition of organic matter in landfills and wastewater
treatment plants produces significant amounts of methane as a by product. Collecting
methane for fuel serves as a cost effective means of generating power or heat by using
what would otherwise just be vented to the atmosphere.
iii. Biomass Gasification: Gasification of biomass is a newer technology that is gaining
traction as a means to produce energy from biofuels. Gasifiers are a much cleaner
technology than traditional biomass combustion systems, and they are more efficient,
resulting in more power generated for each ton of biomass consumed. In a gasification
system, biomass (wood or other solid plant matter) is heated to high temperatures
(600-800 °C) and converted to a gas made up of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, water vapour, and methane. This is then used to generate heat and power.
Finally, while biomass and biogas are renewable fuels, they can be stored and
dispatched like conventional fuels such as natural gas or coal.
Hydro Energy
Hydropower is a clean source of energy, as it burns no fuel and does not produce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, other pollutants, or wastes associated with fossil fuels or nuclear
power. However, hydropower does cause indirect GHG emissions, mainly during the
construction and flooding of the reservoirs. This may be due to decomposition of a fraction of
the flooded biomass (forests, peat lands, and other soil types) and an increase in the aquatic
wildlife and vegetation in the reservoir. Hydropower’s GHG emissions factor (4 to 18 grams
CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour) is 36 to 167 times lower than the emissions produced by

7. electricity generation from fossil fuels. Compared to other renewable, on a lifecycle basis
hydropower releases fewer GHG emissions than electricity generation from biomass and
solar and about the same as emissions from wind, nuclear, and geothermal plants.
2.2 Transportation
The Transportation sector includes the movement of people and goods by cars, trucks, trains,
ships, airplanes, and other vehicles. The majority of greenhouse gas emissions from
transportation are CO2 emissions resulting from the combustion of petroleum-based products,
like gasoline, in internal combustion engines. The largest sources of transportation-related
greenhouse gas emissions include passenger cars and light-duty trucks, including sport utility
vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. These sources account for over half of the emissions
from the sector. The remainder of greenhouse gas emissions comes from other modes of
transportation, including freight trucks, commercial aircraft, ships, boats, and trains as well as
pipelines and lubricants.
Relatively small amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are emitted
during fuel combustion. In addition, a small amount of hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) emissions
are included in the Transportation sector. These emissions result from the use of mobile air
conditioners and refrigerated transport. There are a variety of opportunities to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. The table 2.2 shown below
categorizes these opportunities and provides examples.
Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Transportation Sector
Type How Emissions are Reduced Examples
Fuel Switching Using fuels that emit less CO2 than
fuels currently being used.
Alternative sources can include bio
fuels; hydrogen; electricity from
renewable sources, such as wind
and solar; or fossil fuels that are less
CO2-intensive than the fuels that
they replace.
Learn more about Alternative and
 Using public buses that
are fuelled by
compressed natural gas
rather than gasoline or
diesel.
 Using electric or hybrid
automobiles, provided
that the energy is
generated from lower-

8. Renewable Fuels. carbon or non-fossil
fuels.
 Using renewable fuels
such as low-carbon bio
fuels.
Improving Fuel
Efficiency with
Advanced Design,
Materials, and
Technologies
Using advanced technologies,
design, and materials to develop
more fuel-efficient vehicles.
 Developing advanced
vehicle technologies
such as hybrid vehicles
and electric vehicles,
that can store energy
from braking and use it
for power later.
 Reducing the weight of
materials used to build
vehicles.
 Reducing the
aerodynamic resistance
of vehicles through
better shape design.
Improving
Operating
Practices
Adopting practices that minimize
fuel use.
Improving driving practices and
vehicle maintenance.
Learn about how the freight
transportation industry can reduce
emissions through EPA's SmartWay
Program.
 Reducing the average
taxi time for aircraft.
 Driving sensibly
(avoiding rapid
acceleration and
braking, observing the
speed limit).
 Reducing engine-
idling.
 Improved voyage
planning for ships, such
as through improved
weather routing, to
increase fuel efficiency.
Reducing Travel
Demand Employing urban planning to reduce
the number of miles that people
drive each day.
Learn about EPA's Smart Growth
Program.
Reducing the need for driving
through travel efficiency measures
such as commuter, biking, and
pedestrian programs.
See a list of links to state, local,
 Building public
transportation,
sidewalks, and bike
paths to increase lower-
emission transportation
choices.
 Zoning for mixed use
areas, so that
residences, schools,
stores, and businesses
are close together,
reducing the need for
driving.

9. regional travel-efficiency programs.
Table 2.2 Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emission
2.3 Green Roof
Green roofs are vegetated roof surfaces—essentially, rooftops covered partially or entirely
with living plants. Green roofs can help preserve a building’s roof surface while providing
substantial environmental benefits. The plants and growing medium (engineered soil) of a
green roof shade and protect the underlying roof structure from sunlight, thereby reducing its
temperature. Further, green roofs cool through evapotranspiration (Plants take water in
through their root systems and release it through their leaves in a process called
transpiration). At the same time, evaporation the conversion of water from liquid to gas
occurs from plant surfaces and directly from the growing medium. Energy from incoming
solar radiation that would otherwise heat the roof surface and increase ambient air
temperatures is instead used in the evapotranspiration process, resulting in latent heat loss
that lowers surrounding air temperatures. The summer surface temperature of a green roof
can be significantly cooler than the surface of an adjacent conventional roof at midday.
Green roofs are typically referred to as either “extensive” or “intensive.” Extensive
green roofs generally use a simple, lightweight system that includes a vegetated layer, a thin
layer (3 to 6 inches) of soil or other growing medium, a drainage system, a root protection
system, and a waterproof membrane. With extensive green roofs, the goal is often
performance with minimal input: Plant selections are typically hardy, drought-tolerant
varieties that need little maintenance, no fertilizers or pesticides, and scant human
intervention of any kind once established. Intensive green roofs, on the other hand, generally
serve as an amenity, acting more like a traditional garden or park space, with little limitation
on the type of plant or tree that can be installed. While their purpose is usually shade and
open space for the building’s occupants, intensive green roofs typically perform as well as, or
better than, extensive green roofs in terms of storm water runoff retention, urban heat island
reduction, and air conditioning energy savings.

10. 2.4 Expand Tree Canopy
Trees also exert a substantial influence on both local microclimates and, possibly, on
global climate. Trees affect temperature, humidity, moisture availability and light
conditions in their immediate vicinity. The success of many agro forestry systems
depends in part on the trees capacity to moderate soil and air temperatures, and to
increase relative humidity-two factors important for improved crop growth.
Recent research also suggests that forests may have an effect on climate through their
influence on rainfall patterns, surface reflectivity and other meteorological variables. One
reason is the change in the way sunlight is reflected from the earth's surface when forests are
destroyed. In a living forest, sunlight is absorbed by leaves, branches and tree trunks. When
the forest is destroyed, reflectivity is increased, and the land absorbs less heat. Atmospheric
circulation and rainfall patterns are then significantly altered. Furthermore, in deforested
areas, much less solar energy is used to evaporate moisture from the leaves of plants and
trees. This leads to further climatic changes, and tends to increase temperatures during the
day time and lower those at night.
Forests are also an important cog in the carbon cycle. Forests that are cut down and
burned release their carbon into the atmosphere, adding to the concentration of atmospheric
carbon dioxide which is one of the major contributors to the global warming caused by the
greenhouse effect.
Living forests play the opposite role, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Large-scale reforestation has been suggested as one important way to help reduce the
expected global warming. But a forestation would have to be carried out on a continental
scale if it were to achieve substantial reductions in quantities of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.

11. 3.0 Adaptation
3.1 Business Continuity Plan
Both the need for and the complexity of adaptation hinges on the fact that the future climate
will not be like the past. Because of the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from
human activities, patterns of climate change in the 21st century will differ from those in the
20th century. As a result, past trends cannot be used reliably to predict future changes. A 100-
year-flood, for example, may in some locations occur more frequently, posing problems for
water resource managers, land use planners, and others. Many of the recent trends in climate
change such as rates of sea level rise, temperature increase, and reduction of glacier mass are
accelerating. Moreover, climate change includes the potential for “surprises.” Because
climate is highly complex, sudden or discontinuous change is possible, or it might evolve
quite differently from what is expected. There is also a risk that certain tipping points for
climate impacts may be crossed, such as the disappearance of the Greenland ice sheet.
Surprises challenge humans’ ability to adapt, because of how quickly and unexpectedly they
occur.
The key to successful adaptation is determining the magnitude of the risk, and
identifying what actions are available and should be taken to respond to the risk. It will be
prudent to take climate change into account if it materially affects a company’s operations, its
value chain, or its broader commercial environment. Consequently, understanding whether
adaptation is necessary and what adaptation can accomplish requires taking a closer look at
the dimensions of possible impacts on business. Climate change may result in adverse
business outcomes, including business interruptions, increased investment or insurance costs,
or declining financial measures such as value, return, and growth, or other measures of
business success. These outcomes (i.e., impacts) will be determined by the types of climate
effects the business is exposed to and the likely effects of exposure on the business.
Sector Type of Adaptive Action Company Examples
Beverages &
Tobacco, Food
Products, and
Food & Drug
Retailing
Increased frequency and
intensity of extreme weather
events has generated
significant concern through
these sectors, with particular
attention given to the
availability of future water
Anheuser-Busch is active in
seed research design to
develop crops that are
resistant to extreme weather
events, and its Water Council
manages water-related issues
related to its supply chain,

12. resources. products, and local
communities.
Heineken developed an
Aware of Water program to
establish water usage targets
for its facilities.
Unilever has partnered with
several stakeholder groups to
develop sustainable
agriculture programs that
focus on ways to improve
farming efficiency and
minimize water use.
Insurance Insurance companies are
actively taking steps to
develop strategies to manage
the risks associated with
climate change.
Travellers’ is working to
develop more accurate
underwriting tools, such
as catastrophe models, to
establish appropriate
exposure-based rates for
insurance.
Munich Re has formed a
global weather risk business
that offers capital
market solutions, such as
catastrophe bonds (that
transfer risk) and
weather derivatives.
Electric Utilities
Long-term increases in
energy demand and water
shortages are compelling
companies to invest more
heavily in increased capacity
and improved transmission
and distribution networks
Fortum launched a program
in 2005 to increase the
reliability of its distribution
network and halve average
yearly outage time by 2011.
Chubu is expanding fuel-
related infrastructure and
taking other actions.
Iberdrola and E On AG made
commitments to improve grid
management and power
station usage.
Source: CDP 2007
Table 3.1 Results from the Carbon Disclosure Project:
Examples of Business Action to Address Physical Effects of Climate Change

13. 3.2 Land Use
Society may want to guide development away from areas where it might conflict with future
environmental quality or public safety. A primary rationale for most local land-use planning
is that by themselves, real-estate markets do not always produce economically-efficient or
socially-desirable outcomes, because people do not bear all the costs or reap all the benefits
from their actions. As long as zoning and other land-use restriction are implemented long
before anyone would want to undertake the prohibited actions, they do not unreasonably
burden anyone--major reason these restrictions have withstood legal and political challenges.
The institutional capabilities of planning are well-suited for addressing environmental
impacts of climate change when the direction of the impact is known. Consider, for example,
the goal of ensuring that development does not block migration of ecosystems or preclude
construction of a dam. Without planning, the land could be vacated only by requiring
abandonment with relatively little advance notice, which would often require compensation
and would always hurt someone. Planning measures can either limit development through
zoning (or purchase of land, discussed above), or set up the social constraint that ecosystems
will be allowed to migrate, while allowing the market to decide whether or not development
should proceed given the constraint.
Limit Development: Zoning
The most common tool for controlling land use are master plans and the zoning that results
from them. A major limitation is that zoning tends to be flexible in only one direction
allowing more development; if a town elects a pro-development council that relaxes zoning,
it will be difficult to re imposed the restrictions later. Moreover, as with purchases, one has to
make an assumption regarding how far an ecosystem needs to migrate; if temperatures,
rainfall, or sea level change more than anticipated, the ecosystem will not be protected in the
long run.
Allowing the Market to Decide: Rolling Easements
These mechanisms allow people to develop property, subject to the constraint that the
development will not be allowed to block migration of ecosystems. The primary rationale is
that preventing development is not economically efficient because in some cases it might be

14. worthwhile to develop a property even if it would subsequently have to be abandoned; rolling
easements minimizes governmental interference with private decisions, allowing markets to
decides whether a property is worth developing given available information. Another
important advantage is that neither uncertainties nor the long-term nature of global warming
undermines the feasibility of instituting it in fact, they probably increase the feasibility:
unless or until the sea rises enough to inundate a property, the policy imposes no costs. Thus,
people who doubt the sea will rise or are unconcerned about the distant future have few
grounds to object.
3.3 Education
Efforts to prepare for climate change can only be as enlightened as the people who must carry
them out. Education must be critical component of any effort to address the greenhouse effect
because there will be an increased need for personnel in some professions, people in other
professions will need to routinely consider the implications of global warming, and an
informed citizenry will be necessary for the public to support the public expenditures and
institutional changes that may be required.
Nevertheless, the demand for coastal engineers will almost certainly increase as cities
erect levees and resorts pump sand onto their beaches. An unfortunate paradox is that at the
very moment when the public is becoming increasingly concerned about sea level rise, and
the need to develop new environmentally-sensitive responses, the field's founding fathers are
retiring and are not always being replaced.
Professionals in various disciplines must be educated about global warming so that
decision makers can consider its implications. This process has proceeded farthest in the case
of sea level rise, where federal and state agencies have sponsored several large conferences
on the subject each year since 1983. This process is now beginning to unfold in the fields of
utility planning and water-resource management, and may soon emerge in other fields.
With the exception of universally-recognized crises such as war and disease,
governments do not usually take the lead in creating public awareness. In the short run, that
function is generally carried out by the news media; in the long run, it is performed by school

15. systems. Nevertheless, governments can support these institutions by sponsoring public
meetings and translating the results of technical studies into brochures and reports that are
accessible to reporters, teachers, and the general public.
3.4 Personal Action
There are small actions that we can all take in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
First, we can reduce electricity use around the house. The average home contributes more to
global warming than the average car. If we switch to energy-efficient lighting, or reduce
energy needed for heating or cooling, we will make a change in emissions.
This reduction can also be made through improving vehicle-fuel efficiency. Driving less than
needed or buying a fuel-efficient car will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although it's a
small change, many small changes will someday lead to a bigger change.
Recycling whenever possible greatly reduces the energy needed to create new products.
Whether it is aluminium cans, magazines, cardboard, or glass, finding the nearest recycling
centre will aid in the fight against global warming.
4.0 Conclusion
In conclusion humans are to blame for global warming because of population growth,
deforestation, and the use of non-environmentally safe products. We have support from many
articles and even the president that we need to do something about our actions. Whether it’s
changing the products we use, or reducing the amount of fossil fuels we burn, its up to us to
fix the problem we created.