rv 2014: tangible changes to address a changing climate by christopher forinash
DESCRIPTION
Tangible Changes to Address a Changing Climate Early planning to address climate change focused on trying to reverse global warming. As those efforts continue, it's important to address the impact global warming is already having: sea level rise, extreme weather events, record-breaking heat, drought and wildfires. As a top contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector plays a critical role in both curbing emissions and adapting to changes that put roads, airports, rail, transit systems, pipelines, ports and waterways at risk. Hear about state and federal actions to adapt to climate change, then explore tangible steps communities are taking to make transportation systems more resilient. From New York to Los Angeles County, hear case studies about responding and adapting to local climate risks. Moderator: Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission, Sacramento, California Christopher Forinash, Program Director, National Sustainable Communities Learning Network, Institute for Sustainable Communities, Washington, DC Cris B. Liban, Environmental Department Manager, Metro, Los Angeles, California Projjal K. Dutta, Director, Sustainability Initiatives, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, New YorkTRANSCRIPT
Adaptation and Transportation
Christopher Forinash
Rail~Volution 2014 - Minneapolis
ISC mission and reach
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Currently, we have 10 offices worldwide and a staff of 85.
Help communities around the world address environmental, economic, and social challenges to build a better future shaped and shared by all.
Our approach to capacity-building
Peer-learning & training
workshops
On-going support/direct engagement
Efficient access to high-caliber
information
Our work with communitieswww.SustainableCommunitiesLeadershipAcademy.org
Cities as solutions
~ 380 Teams~ 500 Communities~ 2,150 Practitioners
LegendClimate Leadership Academy
Urban Sustainable Leadership Academy
National Sustainable Learning Network
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Programs
Metro-scale Programs
Upcoming workshop
- Metro-Boston- New England
- National Capital Region- The Twin Cities- Sierra Nevada
- Puget Sound Regional Council- P2R2 Northeast Florida
- Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact
- Sacramento Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative- The Bay Area Climate & Energy
Resilience Project- Los Angeles Regional
Collaborative for Climate Action & Sustainability
- San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative
Think Resiliently, Act RegionallyOctober 14-16 in Alexandria, Virginiaactregionally.splashthat.com
Asking the climate question
How might changing climate affect …?
– Ask at all levels: system, networks, facilities, and services
– Ask in planning, design, construction, and operation
Kate asked: What are your risks?Responses? Challenges?
What is adaptation?
What is adaptation?
Fundamentally a risk management strategy– Likelihood of climate impacts
– Severity of potential consequences
Identify assets, vulnerabilities, potential responses
Evaluate feasibility, effectiveness, cost
Incorporate into decision-making
What range of responses?
Main adaptation responses– Protection: defensive measures
– Accommodation: change designs
– Managed retreat: removal, relocation
– Avoid: prevention
Start here: vulnerability assessment– Identify areas, populations, systems for focus
– Use best climate data
Southeast Florida
• Climate Compact– Four counties (2+2), 5.9 million people, signed in 2010– Common scenarios and vulnerability assessments
• Regional climate action plan in 2012– 110 recommended actions in 7 areas– Many on transportation (including mitigation)– Adaptation Action Areas
• FHWA vulnerability assessment pilot
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Adaptation Action Areas
• Change to Florida Community Planning Act
• Optional comprehensive plan designation for areas that:– experience coastal flooding
– are vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels
• Purpose: prioritizing funding for infrastructure and adaptation planning
Resilient Vermont
Response to flooding in 2011: from recovery to resilience
Resilient Vermont recommendations
Know our risks: Conduct a statewide Transportation Vulnerability Assessment that produces a statewide data set and map that shows areas of highest relative vulnerability and is used to guide prioritization of investment
Align rules and investments for strong communities:– Designate pilot adaptation areas and direct
investments there– Provide guidance and incentives to adapt
transportation infrastructure
Gulf Coast assessment
• Advanced effort that produced key findings as well as tools and methods
• Vulnerability assessment of coast from Galveston to Mobile
• Mobile region– Detailed asset mapping, vulnerability assessment, risk
analysis– Excellent new tools– See Rob Hyman presentation from September 2014
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Other resources and tools
FTA adaptation workshops and pilots in 2011-12 –fta.dot.gov/12347_14013.html
NOAA digital coast – csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast
DOT – climate.dot.gov
Georgetown Climate Center – georgetownclimate.org
American Society of Adaptation Professionals
Connecting and supporting the people who are building climate resilience.
– Build on Promising Practices
– Share Information
– Network & Connect
600+ Members Nationally– 35% Government (Local, State, Federal, Tribal)
– 30% Non-Profit
– 20% Academic
– 15% Private Sector
Joining ASAP
