Risk and Environment Inserting text into the Title Slide Simply click on the ‘Presentation Starting’ text to type the appropriate title Paul Hayden MA, MSc, MIFireE Chief Officer / Chief Executive Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Climate Change: Risk Impact

3 Practical Impacts “The atmosphere isn’t warming, and if it is, then its down to natural variations; and even if its not down to natural variations, then the amount of warming is insignificant; and if it becomes significant, then the benefits will outweigh the problems, and even if they don’t, technology will come to the rescue; and even if it doesn't, we shouldn’t risk wrecking the economy because some of the science is uncertain!”

Definitions of key terms 5 Definitions of key terms INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE [IPCC] Climate change in IPCC usage refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity. Adaptive capacity is the ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences. Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes.

New critical threshold Climate sensitivity, vulnerability and adaptation Present Past Time Climate variable Decision to adapt Vulnerability New coping range New critical threshold Implementation of adaptation Critical threshold Coping range Future Lag Planning time horizon Slide courtesy of UKCIP

What is Climate Change Adaptation? measures to moderate and cope with climate change impacts not a one-off activity, but a continuous and incremental set of activities. Adaptation Physical actions e.g: raising the height of sea defences Increasing ventilation / cooling in buildings Building ‘Adaptive Capacity’ e.g: Raising awareness of impacts Tools / context etc for decision makers

Why do we need Adaptation? Climate change is already happening Stopping GHGs today will not prevent it CC over next 30-50 yrs due to historic emissions Adaptation

We need to: Adaptation Build ‘adaptive capacity’ Identify priorities for adaptation Identify actions that will improve the resilience of: Adaptation Development, Services, Infrastructure, Communities, The Economy, the ‘Natural’ environment

10 FRS Practical Impacts FRS must act to reduce the impact of its activities on the Environment. However, regardless of any action we take, our organisations and services will be impacted by climate change in at least 5 key areas over the next 50 years; High Summer Temperatures Floods Drought Storms Social Impact - Migration

High Summer Temperatures

Drought

Storm

Flood

Migration

21 CFOA Partnerships FRS / EA Strategic Partnership -Strategic Group, Tactical Group, Environmental Protection, flooding & PPS 25 CFOA Inland Water Strategic & Tactical Group UK SAR Strategic Group & Tactical Group Defra Flood Rescue Capabilities Program Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Extreme Weather Events, SME’s / Householder adaptation Various University Research Projects EU Flood Command EU Flood Ex 2009 US FEMA & DHS Major Flood Programs If you are Interested in any of the above, please get in touch!