Climate Change Adaptation Techniques for the Piedmont. S. Shuford
- 2. PAS Report – Collaborative effort Help planners incorporate energy and climate change considerations into their work 2
- 3. Local Warming. It’s too late to stop climate change. What we can do is plan for it. 3
- 4. CLIMATE ADAPTATION HAZARD MITIGATION Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. (IPCC; TAR) Hazard Mitigation is sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and their property from hazards and their effects. (FEMA) 4
- 6. 6 Wildfires Photo: NASA 2006 California Wildfires
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- 9. 9 Community Wildfire Protection Plan ✔ Step One: Convene Decisionmakers ✔ Step Two: Involve Federal Agencies (USFS and BLM) ✔ Step Three: Engage Interested Parties ✔ Step Four: Establish a Community Base Map ✔ Step Five: Develop a Community Risk Assessment ✔ Step Six: Establish Community Priorities and Recommendations ✔ Step Seven: Develop an Action Plan and Assessment Strategy ✔ Step Eight: Finalize Community Wildfire Protection Plan
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- 14. 14 Heat Waves Excessive Heat Events Guidebook; EPA; 2006
- 15. 15 Design for Heat Image by www.hopeplantation.org/
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- 17. 17 Source: Lawrence B. Livermore National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
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- 20. 20 Heat Effects – Defense Industry Heat Effects • Training • Equipment • Air Operations and Infrastructure • Energy Use • Ecosystem Management
- 21. Address population vulnerabilities at state, regional and local levels Conduct health impact assessments Address population equity issues 21
- 22. 22 Population Heat Waves Storms Floods Air Pollution Diseases (Food & Water Borne) Diseases (Vector Borne) Persons over 65 (the elderly) Persons 14 & under Persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses Linguistically isolated persons (non- English speaking or English as a second language - ESL) Socially isolated persons, including the homeless Single adults with children Transportation-challenged (no car or transit) persons Persons residing in high crime areas Persons residing in mobile homes Persons with below median incomes Persons residing in substandard housing Persons residing in multifamily structures
- 23. 23 Low-Regrets Policy – Green Infrastructure Planning Activity Possible Responses Comments Delivery of social services EHE awareness programs. Coordination of EHE shelter operations. Medical assessment and treatment programs. Vulnerable population database. Distribution of light-colored clothing. Employer outreach. Reaching vulnerable populations with information and services is critical prior to and during EHEs. Employers need to understand the health consequences of strenuous outdoor work during EHEs. Design of buildings and sites Design for natural ventilation. Install awnings and overhangs. Shade-providing landscaping. Backup electrical systems/generators. Use of heat-dissipating materials & colors. Retention of mature landscaping for shade. Energy-efficient design. Natural ventilation, especially in multifamily buildings helps counter EHE effects. Energy-efficient design makes it more likely for lower income persons to use their A/Cs. Natural landscaping lessens the urban heat island effect. Neighborhood and comprehensive planning Neighborhood-based shelters. Vulnerable population database helps direct capital improvement programs. Advance planning for EHEs in neighborhood and community design is helpful. Recreational programs and amenities Provision of shade in parks and playgrounds. Timing/programming of outdoor recreation programs during EHEs. Timing and programming (e.g., keeping pools open) offer reduced exposure to and relief from heat. Public safety planning Early warning alerts. EHE shelter management operations. Coordination with electric utilities during EHEs. EHE awareness programs. Vulnerable population database. Increased law enforcement in high-crime areas during EHEs. Early warning alerts from public safety officials get more attention. Coordination with utilities is critical. Knowing the location of vulnerable populations enhances response. People in high crime areas may not open windows during EHEs. Utility system management, especially electricity and water supply No scheduled maintenance or shutdowns during EHEs. Coordination with public safety officials during EHEs. Continuity of utility operations is critical to counter the effects of EHEs.
- 25. 25 A Walkable Place . . . BuncombeCountyGISaerialphoto;Shufordphotos Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC
- 26. 26 . . . Can Become Swimmable. Photo courtesy of Mark Combs
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- 29. 29 New York City Subway Grates Simple Solutions
- 30. 30 Design with Nature Green Infrastructure Images from EPA’s Green Infrastructure Case Studies; 2010
- 31. Source: FHWA
- 32. All images – Popular Science Oops!
- 33. 33 Drought North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council www.ncwater.org
- 34. 34 15A NCAC 02E .0614 Default Water Use Reduction Measures During NCDMAC Exceptional Drought Designations
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- 36. 36 Nuclear energy - North Carolina’s three systems generate nearly 32 percent of the state’s electricity.
- 37. Potable Water Supply – Conservation, Storage, New Sources, Inter-Community Linking, Emergency Supplies, Diversion from Non- Potable Uses, Retrofits Energy (Blackouts and Brownouts) – Understanding Vulnerability, Improved National Electric Grid, Less Vulnerable Sources, Improved Efficiency, Conservation 37
- 38. Reviewed some climate adaptation techniques for addressing wildfire, heat wave, flooding and drought impacts Address these impacts in your Hazard Mitigation Plans And, most of all, remember that . . . 38
- 39. 39 It Takes a Team… • Long-range planning/community development • Emergency response and natural hazards planning • Economic development • Parks and open space • Transportation and engineering • Utilities (water, wastewater, etc.) • Administration/finance • Chamber of commerce • Public health • Social services • Local non-profits
- 40. As Extreme Weather Events Become More Common, We Will All Have An Extreme Weather Story or Two 40 Photo Credits: NOAA, FEMA, DOT, AP
- 41. 41 Building Codes Images by Scott Shuford Flooding Adaptation
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