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RESILIENT COASTS | 87

What are your main needs to improve coastal re-
silience?
I think that our priority is to become more technological
so that we can introduce resilience into our cities in
an attractive and constructive manner. We need more
technological companies to invest in the fields of pre-
vention, well-being, adaptation and all the sectors of
resilience defined by the United Nations.

The other “area of fragility” in regard to resilience, if I
may so, are the inhabitants themselves, who are not
always aware of the climate risk. They become aware
when the danger is there and very often, they take ac-
tion that puts them at risk, or, a few years after a disas-
ter, they have forgotten or minimise the risk. As political
leaders, it is up to us to remind them that the climate
risk exists and to contemplate future risks. And this is
really an extremely tough job.

It is action that requires a long time, which doesn’t
always tally with the political agenda… MATOSINHOS (175,000 inhabitants - PORTUGAL)
We need to be committed to resilience however much
political time we have. That is why this network is so im- Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Matosinhos, a port
portant: the commitment to coastal resilience is made and fishing town, and seaside resort, lies adjacent
by the cities themselves. It is a way of obliging political to the city of Porto, and is part of the Greater Porto
representatives to commit to this issue, however long district. It is a member of the Global Covenant of
their mandate or whatever their political orientation. Mayors for Climate and Energy.

What are the next steps in regard to resilience in Climate change related risks: floods, submersion.
your opinion?
We, the cities, are the entity which must find solutions Strategy: georeferencing of sensitive areas,
to urgent issues, but we can only do so provided we awareness, global network.
receive support at all levels of governance. For this,
municipalities need to gain a stronger voice and be
listened to at every international conference. Moreover,
Matosinhos is hosting the United Nations conference
on 25 June. If we want to become more resilient, we
need to start working on cities.
PROFILE

The largest global alliance for urban climate
leadership across the globe, the Global
Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
is a network comprising 11,759 cities worldwide
(including Matosinhos).

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