1. Adapting to a Changing Climate: Challenges & Opportunities Adapting to a Changing Climate: Challenges & Opportunities Glen Gerberg Weather and Climate Summit January 12, 2012 Breckenridge, CO Eileen L. Shea Chief, Climate Services & Monitoring Div., NOAA/NCDC

2. Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force 2

3. 3 Mitigation and adaptation are both essential parts of a climate change response strategy. No matter how aggressively heat-trapping emissions are reduced, the world will continue to experience some continued climate change and resulting impacts. Prudent risk management demands advanced planning Adaptation as Response Option Climate Change not the only challenge to be juggled (Dr. Lynne Carter)

4. We can anticipate, plan, act … be proactive or we can remain reactive. Some photos: courtesy Joel Scheraga, EPA

5. 5 So, What is Adaptation? Measures to improve our ability to cope with or avoid harmful impacts and take advantage of beneficial ones, now and in the future (Global Climate Change Impacts in the U.S., 2009) Preparing for the impacts of projected local and regional impacts before they occur” (America’s Climate Choices, 2011) Iterative risk management…by increasing the Nation’s resilience to both gradual changes and the possibility of abrupt disaster events” (America’s Climate Choices, 2011) 5

6. Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force What Is Adaptation? Responsible risk management Actions that reduce vulnerability & enhance preparedness for climate & extreme weather-related impacts Common-sense planning to protect our health, safety & prosperity 6 Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant, Boston

7. Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force Federal Action to Build Climate Resilience Core Federal Policy Goals for Climate Change Adaptation ▫ Build resilience to climate change in communities. ▫ Make science more accessible to communities and decision-makers. ▫ Integrate climate risk management into Federal agency planning. ▫ Develop strategies to safeguard natural resources. ▫ Enhance efforts to lead and support international climate adaptation 7

8. 8 Protect: build hard structures-levees and dikes Accommodate: elevate roads, buildings, and facilities; improve flood control structure design; enhance wetlands (Deer Island) Retreat: accommodate inland movement through planned retreat From: USGCRP, 2009 Adaptation Example: Responding to Sea-Level Rise and Storm Surge Courtesy of Jack Pellette, NWS

9. 9 Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States 9 Declining water resources  Increase public awareness  Encourage water conservation  Fix water distribution systems to minimize leakage  Increase freshwater storage capacity  Explore alternative sources including importing water, – desalinating seawater, and using treated wastewater Unmanaged ecosystems  Establish baselines for ecosystems and their services  Identify thresholds  Monitor for continued change  Restore ecosystems that have been adversely affected  Identify refuge areas that might be unaffected by climate change and can be preserved  Relocate species to areas where favorable conditions are expected to exist in the future Adaptation Examples ©iStockphotos.com/Stephen Muskie

10. 10 In the islands, “water is gold.” Effective adaptation to climate-related changes in the availability of freshwater is thus a high priority and can help reduce damage even if island communities cannot completely counter climate-related threats to water supplies. Adaptation: Securing Water Resources 10

11. 11 Communities, Businesses and Governments All Have: Much to lose from adverse climate impacts Much to gain from opportunities Limited resources and tight budgets Relevant authorities and planning structures Opportunity to learn from and work with others

12. Some Lessons Being Learned No (single) “top 10” Adaptation Actions Adaptations are location and issue specific: – Impacts differ from place-to-place and adaptive capacity is uneven – Understand regional context (culture, history, demographics, economics, natural resources) Address today’s challenges while planning for the future: – Variability, Extremes and long-term trends Collaborative, public-private partnership

13. 13 Some Lessons Being Learned Climate in Context:  Decisions rarely only because of changing climate  Think of the “Climate-Society System” (Glantz) Trusted information brokers are key: Broadcast meteorologists, community leaders, businesses, local experts, educators, NGOs, etc. Leverage existing institutions & relationships Changing Climate - a moving target:  Requires an iterative risk management process  Shared learning & joint problem-solving 13

14. Characteristics of a Resilient Community AWAREENGAGED INFORMEDEMPOWERED RESPONSIVEPREPARED ADAPTIVESUSTAINABLE 14

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16. Some Resources at your disposal: Eileen.Shea@noaa.gov www.globalchange.gov www.climate.gov www.ncdc.noaa.gov (www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/inventories/2012psguide_ hires19MBpdf) 16