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Climate Change Poses Major Risks for Unprepared Cities A new examination of urban policies has been 1 recently by Patricia Romero Lankao.She is a sociologist specializing in climate change and 2 development.She warns that many of the worlds fast-growing urban areas，especially in developing countries.will likely suffer from the impacts of changing climate.Her work also concludes that most cities are failing to 3 emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 4 .These gases are known to affect the atmosphere.Climate change is a deeply local issue and poses profound threats to the growing cities of the world， says Romero Lankao. But too few cities are developing effective strategies to 5 their residents. Cities are 6 sources of greenhouse gases.And urban populations are likely to be among those most severely affected by future climate change. Lankaos findings highlight ways in which city-residents are particularly vulnerable， and suggest policy interventions that could offer immediate and longer-term 7 . The locations and dense construction patterns of cities often place their populations at greater risk for natural disasters. Potential 8 associated with climate include storm surges and prolonged hot weather. Storm surges can flood coastal areas and prolonged hot weather can heat 9 paved cities more than surrounding areas.The impacts of such natural events can be more serious in an urban environment.For example，a prolonged heat wave can increase existing levels of air pollution，causing widespread health problems.Poorer neighborhoods that may 10 basic facilities such as drinking water or a dependable network of roads，are especially vulnerable to natural disasters.Many residents in poorer countries live in substandard housing 11 access to reliable drinking water，roads and basic services. | 
