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Reykjavik, Iceland -

Not only does Iceland's capital city harness the power of geothermal energy, its remote northern location offers protection from extreme climate change effects like heat waves and rising sea levels. Reykjavik is indeed one of the greenest cities in the world.

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Oslo, Norway - Oslo is one of the most forward-thinking cities when it comes to climate adaptation and sustainability. Norway's commitment to renewable energy, particularly hydropower, combined with Oslo's cool climate and effective urban planning, makes it a city well prepared for the impacts of climate change.

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Bergen, Norway -

Much like Oslo, Bergen has implemented robust flood defenses and green infrastructure to protect against increased rainfall and rising sea levels. The city has an intense focus on sustainability and renewable energy, which further enhances its resilience.

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Helsinki, Finland - Over the years, the city of Helsinki has invested heavily in climate resilience strategies, including green infrastructure and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The city also has a relatively low risk of natural disasters, such as floods or extreme heat waves.

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Stockholm, Sweden -

Stockholm has a well-established network of green spaces, which helps mitigate the impact of climate change. Its geographic location affords the city minimal exposure to rising sea levels and extreme weather, making Stockholm a veritable haven in the face of climate change.

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Zurich, Switzerland -

Since Zurich is situated inland and away from the coast, it wouldn't fall prey to threats such as rising sea levels. The Swiss city is also at a higher elevation, which protects it from many of the immediate impacts of climate change.

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Vienna, Austria -

Much like Zurich, Vienna benefits from its inland location, which reduces the risk of flooding from rising sea levels. Additionally, Vienna's extensive public transport system, green spaces, and emphasis on renewable energy contribute to its resilience.

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Copenhagen, Denmark - Copenhagen is one of the world’s most climate-resilient cities. It has invested intensely in green infrastructure, including flood defenses and sustainable urban drainage systems. The city is also a leader in renewable energy, aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

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Toronto, Canada -

Aside from the green infrastructure developed by the city of Toronto, it also benefits from a cooler climate and is less vulnerable to the immediate impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat.

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Calgary, Canada - Calgary’s inland location and high elevation protect it from many of the effects of climate change. The city has also made significant strides in sustainability and renewable energy, particularly with its focus on transitioning from fossil fuels.

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Vancouver, Canada -

Recently, the city of Vancouver has implemented as much green infrastructure as possible (including extensive rainwater management systems) to mitigate the risks of increased rainfall and flooding.

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Iqaluit, Canada -

Iqaluit, the capital of Canada's northern territory of Nunavut, is located in the Arctic, offering a cold climate that insulates it from the worst heat waves. The city faces challenges related to melting ice due to rising temperatures, but is working on adapting to these changes, with a focus on sustainability and preserving its unique environment.

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Melbourne, Australia -

Despite being located in a country heavily impacted by climate change, Melbourne has taken significant steps toward becoming more climate-resilient, including the establishment of sustainable water management systems to combat the effects of drought and extreme temperatures.

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Hobart, Australia -

Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is uniquely positioned in a cooler climate zone, which offers protection from extreme heat waves and other severe climate events. Indeed, the city is less susceptible to the rising temperatures and droughts that affect mainland Australia.

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Wellington, New Zealand -

Although Wellington is a coastal city, it benefits from New Zealand's cooler climate and proactive environmental policies. The city has implemented various strategies to protect against rising sea levels and increased storm activity, including robust building codes and flood defenses.

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Christchurch, New Zealand -

Christchurch (located on New Zealand's South Island) is known for its temperate climate and strong environmental initiatives. While the city has faced challenges from earthquakes, it has been rebuilt with resilience in mind, including enhanced infrastructure to withstand natural disasters.

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Edinburgh, Scotland -

Many areas of Scotland would fall under this list, but none more so than the city of Edinburgh, which is located in a region with a temperate climate that reduces the risk of extreme weather events. The city’s elevation and inland location also minimize the risk of flooding from rising sea levels.

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Glasgow, Scotland -

Similar to Edinburgh, Glasgow benefits from Scotland’s temperate climate and proactive environmental policies. Due to the existing weather, Glasgow's infrastructure is well adapted to handle heavy rainfall and flooding.

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Munich, Germany -

Munich has some of the strongest environmental policies in the world, particularly in promoting renewable energy and reducing emissions. The city has invested significantly in green spaces and sustainable transportation, further enhancing its ability to adapt to climate change.

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Hamburg, Germany -

In 2010, Hamburg was voted as the European Green Capital, and the city has only grown greener ever since. Germany's second-largest city has focused on reducing carbon emissions by implementing green infrastructure and sustainable urban planning.

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Brussels, Belgium -

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and, as such, it is actively working on climate resilience through a combination of urban planning, green infrastructure, and environmental policies. The city has implemented measures to reduce carbon emissions and manage water resources, addressing the risks of flooding and heat waves.

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Tallinn, Estonia -

The capital city of Estonia has a cooler climate due to its geographic location, making it resilient to rising temperatures. The city is known for its technological advancements, which have helped the city move towards sustainability, including the use of renewable energy and green infrastructure.

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Riga, Latvia -

Riga enjoys a temperate climate and has made substantial progress in sustainability and climate adaptation. The city’s investment in green spaces and renewable energy will have long-reaching influence to reduce its carbon footprint.

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Ljubljana, Slovenia -

Ljubljana was named Europe’s Green Capital in 2016 for a reason, since it has an incredibly strong focus on sustainability and climate resilience. The city has implemented various initiatives to regenerate derelict areas and protect natural resources.

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Portland, USA -

Since the early 1990s, Portland has taken many strides to pursue sustainability. Residents of the city have been known to ride bikes and eat locally-grown food, all of which has contributed to making the city more resilient to climate change.

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Denver, USA -

Denver’s high elevation and inland location protect it from many of the climate risks facing coastal cities, including hurricanes. The city enjoys a relatively mild climate, although it must manage water resources carefully due to its semi-arid environment.

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Seattle, USA -

Seattle is consistently ranked as one of the most sustainable cities in the United States. It has made significant investments in climate resilience, including stormwater management systems and green infrastructure.

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Anchorage, USA -

Although Anchorage faces challenges related to thawing permafrost and changing ecosystems, the Alaskan city could actually fare better than many others as the climate changes. Its northern location protects it from extreme heat, and rising temperatures could even make the region more habitable in the future.

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Salt Lake City, USA -

Despite potential wildfires that pose a risk, Salt Lake City has been growing its renewable energy industry for many years. The city also experiences relatively few natural disasters, and so residents will find Salt Lake City to be a haven in the face of changing climate patterns.

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Ushuaia, Argentina -

This is the only South American city featured on this list. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, and its cold climate offers protection from extreme heat waves and other severe climate events. Ushuaia's focus on preserving its natural environment further strengthens its resilience.

Sources: (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (Architectural Digest) (World Bank) (Nature Climate Change) (The Climate Reality Project)

See also: Why is whale poo so critical to our planet?

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