Exploring the already observable impacts of climate change, this chapter features stories from regions including Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, amongst others. Ramon Apla-on, a farmer from the Philippines, describes how unpredictable weather patterns affect agriculture, while Isaac Nemuta, a Maasai pastoralist from Kenya, discusses the severe droughts impacting livestock. Nadia Cazaubon from Saint Lucia highlights marine impacts such as coral bleaching. These personal accounts, supported by scientific data, underscore the urgency of addressing current climate realities affecting millions. The chapter illustrates how climate change is no longer a future threat but a present crisis requiring immediate action.

Chapter 1 discusses six types of remote sensing methods possible from Earth’s orbit and introduces radar interferometry as the optimal approach for measuring small surface deformation.

This is the first chapter of the book. The goal of this chapter is to introduce ourselves to the growing importance of using satellite remote sensing to manage our water. We will try to understand this in the context of the underlying challenges and new global forces shaping up this century that are expected to make traditional ways of managing water using in-situ data more challenging.

This chapter outlines the critical actions needed to combat climate change, drawing on perspectives from leaders such as Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General. It emphasises the necessity of international cooperation, robust policy frameworks, and significant investment in the green economy. The chapter highlights successful strategies, such as renewable energy initiatives in Germany, demonstrating the potential for coordinated global efforts to make substantial progress. Comprehensive emissions reduction plans and adaptation strategies are discussed, providing a detailed roadmap for urgent and effective climate action. The chapter underscores the importance of political will, financial commitment, and community engagement in achieving these goals, while pointing towards the CVF-V20’s solution that could solve both climate finance and economic vulnerability: supporting the Climate Prosperity Plans.

Chapter 2 explains the basic physics of radar imaging from orbital altitude, including the limits on accuracy, spatial resolution in the range and azimuth directions, and the fundamental limitation on swath width.

Chapter 6 discusses the main methods for filtering complex interferograms, computing coherence, and computing phase gradient.

This chapter examines the circular economy as a pathway to building more resilient and sustainable cities. As urban areas expand, they face growing environmental pressures, such as increased waste, rising emissions, and resource depletion. The circular economy responds to these issues by replacing the traditional linear model of ‘take–make–dispose’ with approaches that prioritise resource efficiency, waste reduction, and regeneration. The chapter emphasises the link between circular practices and urban resilience – defined as a city’s capacity to recover from shocks like climate change, disasters, and economic disruptions. Through strategies such as recycling, reuse, and the integration of nature-based solutions, cities can strengthen infrastructure and sustainability. Key urban sectors including waste, water, and the built environment are explored to show how circular strategies are being applied globally. Despite the promise, the chapter acknowledges several challenges, including regulatory and financial barriers, as well as the need for cultural transformation. However, it also highlights opportunities in policy innovation, public–private collaboration, policy innovation, and technology. The chapter concludes that the circular economy is vital for enabling cities to adapt, endure, and prosper in a world of accelerating change.

This chapter explores the governance mechanisms necessary for transitioning to a circular economy in liveable cities, using the city of Vienna as a case study. The chapter presents the concept of the ‘butterfly potential’, drawing parallels between the transformation of a city and the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. It emphasises the importance of circular economy principles – reducing waste, reusing materials, and regenerating natural systems – as key components of creating a sustainable, resilient city. Vienna’s approach, highlighted through its Smart City Climate Strategy and the DoTank Circular City Vienna 2020–2030 programme, illustrates how a city can lead the way in circular innovation. The chapter discusses the governance strategies employed by Vienna, focusing on cross-sectoral collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of circular principles into urban development policies. Additionally, the chapter introduces the Quadruple Helix model, emphasising the need for academia, industry, government, and civil society to work together in fostering circular city systems. By showcasing the transformative potential of circular governance frameworks, the chapter argues that cities like Vienna can serve as models for achieving urban resilience and sustainability through innovative governance, policy coherence, and active public participation, ultimately enabling cities to thrive within planetary boundaries.

Identifying the populations and regions most vulnerable to climate change, this chapter features voices including Nakeeyat Dramani Sam from Ghana, highlighting the disproportionate impacts on young people and marginalised groups. Understanding ‘vulnerability’ is the key to addressing climate change. Jevanic Henry from Saint Lucia discusses rising sea levels and frequent hurricanes threatening coastal communities. The chapter emphasises the need for targeted adaptation strategies and global support to build resilience among low-income countries, small island developing states (SIDS), and Indigenous Peoples, and local communities (IPLCs). Isaac Nemuta, a Maasai pastoralist from Kenya, shares how prolonged droughts are decimating livestock. The chapter discusses the unique challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and political marginalisation. Calls for increased international aid, robust policy measures, and tailored climate resilience plans are emphasised, with examples like the Climate Prosperity Plans from Bangladesh and the Philippines. Empowering local communities through education, sustainable practices, and inclusive governance is crucial.

Exploring the economic ramifications of climate change, this chapter features insights from financial experts such as Sara Jane Ahmed, Managing Director and V20 Finance Advisor of the CVF-V20 Secretariat. It discusses the adverse effects on GDP growth, inflation, debt, and credit ratings, particularly in vulnerable economies. The chapter highlights the crucial role of financial markets, insurance, and climate finance in addressing these challenges. Innovative financing solutions such as Green Bonds and pre-arranged and trigger-based financing, including loss and damage finance, are explored as means to build economic resilience. The importance of sustainable economic policies and international cooperation is emphasised, with case studies from countries successfully integrating climate resilience into their economic planning. The chapter calls for increased investment in climate adaptation and mitigation to safeguard economic stability and promote sustainable development.

Offering a message of hope and resilience, reflections from climate advocates emphasise the possibility of limiting global warming and mitigating its impacts. Renato Redentor Constantino, senior advisor to the CVF-V20, calls for innovative financial solutions and increased international cooperation to support vulnerable economies. Indigenous voices, such as Victor Yalanda from Colombia, stress the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and protecting natural resources. Nakeeyat Dramani Sam from Ghana underscores the urgency of immediate action to safeguard the future for young people. The chapter calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to take decisive action now. The critical role of international agreements like the Paris Agreement is underlined. A powerful call to action urges all stakeholders to seize the remaining opportunities to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable future. United efforts can still create a world where people and the planet thrive amidst climate challenges – if we act fast.

This chapter focuses on urban water demand management, a critical strategy for enhancing water security in growing cities. Traditional water management has relied on supply-side solutions, such as large-scale infrastructure projects like dams and reservoirs. However, these solutions are often costly, environmentally damaging, and politically contentious. In contrast, demand-side management seeks to reduce water consumption and optimise existing water resources, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective approach. Urban water demand management aims to change societal behaviours, attitudes, and practices towards water use. By implementing water conservation strategies, urban managers can decouple water demand from economic and population growth, reducing pressure on municipal water supplies. The chapter explores various demand management tools, including pricing mechanisms, water trading, metering, active leak detection, and alternative water supplies like rainwater harvesting and greywater systems. Additionally, the chapter highlights the importance of public education, communication, and stakeholder engagement in fostering a culture of water conservation. By utilising a portfolio of regulatory, technological, and communication-based instruments, cities can manage water demand more effectively, improve water security, and reduce the environmental impact of urban growth. Ultimately, demand management is essential for creating resilient urban water systems in the face of climate change and increasing population pressures.