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Rockhopper TV Explores the Effects of Climate Change in LA

March 16, 2011 Environment No Comments

The natural disasters that are occurring more frequently around the world in Tokyo, Australia and so on, are not natural. They are the visible and disastrous effects of climate change and they are growing worse each day. In an eight-part documentary series titled Hot Cities, one group tracks global climate change and how this is affecting cities across the world. We look at episode 8, “Surviving Climate Change” to discover more about the detrimental impact of climate change.

Produced by Rockhopper TV, “Surviving Climate Change” takes a look at Los Angeles, which is one of the most polluted cities in the world. . Here the effects of climate change can be seen simply by driving along the streets. It is a city of consumption where people live life to the fullest with scant regard for how this impacts on the environment. One of the biggest problems facing the city is its carbon emissions – up to 20 tonnes per person per year – which is largely due to their love of the motor car. These emissions are a major cause of climate change, and while LA’s emission levels are double those of anywhere else, we all need to make serious changes to our lifestyles in order to change this.

LA is starting to see the evidence of climate change. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the number of wildfires, water supplies are dwindling, rising sea levels may have a massive impact on LA’s port and could flood the city thus destroying thousands of homes. The documentary takes place just as the city launches a new strategy they hope will reduce and prevent climate change.

LA is in mid-fire season and all around are the charred remains of 17,500 acres of farmland which went up in flame in just two days. Ash flies through the air coating everything it lands on, while all around are charred skeleton trees and black earth. Last year LA lost 1.5 million acres of land in the greatest wildfire siege the city had ever seen.

Drought and an increase in wildfires are just two of the problems of climate change. Rising sea levels are another and there is great debate as to how this aspect of climate change will affect the world. California is one of the wealthiest parts of the world and is thus better equipped with capital to deal with climate change.

While LA does have the money to do something about climate change, even this isn’t enough to prevent the devastation caused by drought and wildfires. Watch the video and see how the adaptation strategy introduced to California can help combat climate change.

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The New York chapter covers the lives of Susan and Christina Rodriguez, a mother and daughter. Christina was 16 at the time of filming and she was infected with HIV through transmission from her mother, who in turn had become infected by her husband who died in 1996. Susan founded SMART University – an organisation that supports women who live with HIV and AIDS.

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Rockhopper TV Brings The Antarctic Expedition To Life!

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