Signal 3: Mitigating Climate Change Effects with Tiles
It is undeniable that climate change is taking place. Flash floods arising from climate change are not just causing widespread damage to property, but also destroying livelihoods, and areas less than a meter above sea level are starting to experience the effects of global warming. In 2016, former mayor of Miami Beach Philip Levine pledged $400 million to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels, indicating the seriousness of the issue at hand.
Third Nature (or Tredje Natur in Danish) has come up with a solution to reduce flooding and damage caused by sudden heavy rains and flash floods, dubbed the Climate Tile. Each modular tile is designed to collect rainwater and channel it away from areas that are susceptible to flooding, towards a unit that can treat the water if necessary, or towards urban recreational areas like fountains, playgrounds, and urban vegetation. Smart plugs can also be installed in the tiles which will help with managing the functions of the tiles.
By redesigning a simple tile and integrating smart technology, cities can benefit greatly through a relieved sewer system. Especially in tropical climates, such technology can also mitigate mosquito-borne diseases by reducing the pooling and stagnation of water. However, for the climate tile to work effectively on a large scale, a great deal of responsibility rests on city and government agencies to support and implement such innovation.
