State and Local Adaptation Planning for Climate Change Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, Ph.D. Institute of Water Research Michigan State University Webinar: Climate Change and Water Resource Impacts in the Great Lakes Region May 6, 2010

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Adaptation Planning Rationale Overview of Current Actions State and Local Planning Approaches Climate Resilient Communities Program: Milestones toward Adaptation

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Adaptation: “adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.” Mitigation: “an anthropogenic (human) intervention to reduce the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system; it includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas sources and emissions and enhancing greenhouse gas sinks. (IPCC 2007, Glossary)

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Proactive Planning by State and Local Government: Can benefit the present Is “good government” Responsibility to respond More effective and less costly Can reduce future risks Can increase future benefits Can add value to today’s investments at low additional cost

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Adaptation may involve a range of responses: Planned Autonomous (or spontaneous) Deliberate actions aimed Actions by B that yield at adaptation adaptation for A Anticipatory (or proactive) Reactive Done before impacts are Done after impacts are observed Public (or governmental) Private Involving government Involving non-­governmental actions Source: Climate Adaptation Issues, WICCI Adaptation Working Group 2010

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Adaptation Barriers Uncertain about impacts Responsibility of higher level of government Wait and see – impacts / what will others do Limited problem focus Uncertain about what to do Limited resources – skills / financial / political No infrastructure to deal with future problems

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning State and Local CC Actions Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (2007) Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group (2006) Michigan Climate Action Council (2007) Chicago Climate Action Plan (2008)

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Lessons Learned - Chicago Climate Action Planning Process: Strategic Partners: Public-Private AND Public-Public Partnerships, Foundations, Local Leaders, Research Dedicated Funding to Support Research, Planning and Implementation Provide Climate Summits to Maintain Stakeholder Engagement Start Implementation Early Have an Aligned Communications Strategy Build on Existing Initiatives Track Progress and Continually Reassess to Ensure Success

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Water Resource Adaptation Examples Water Pricing Strategy Catch Basin Retrofits Permeable Pavement Requirements Water Quality Testing Wetland Management Plan Watershed Studies Source: Chicago Climate Change Action Plan 2008

CC: State and Local Adaptation Planning Climate Resilient Communities Program: Five Milestones Conduct a climate resiliency study Identify priority planning areas for action, based on assessments of your vulnerability and risk in selected planning areas Set goals and develop your plan Implement your plan Measure your progress and update your plan Source: ICLEI Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments

Thank You Jon MacDonagh-Dumler, Ph.D. Institute of Water Research Michigan State University