Tackling Climate Change: Local Planning for a Global Crisis Dr Alun Jones

Climate Change – is it real Comparison photos of Muir and Riggs Glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska ( Global Warming Art ).

Is it here yet?

What should we do? Accept its consequences or take action?

No more discussion The debate on climate change has shifted, from whether we need to act towards how much we need to do by when, and the economic implications of doing so.

The debate on climate change has shifted, from whether we need to act towards how much we need to do by when, and the economic implications of doing so.

The economic impact Stern Review 2006 - economics of climate change one percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) per annum is required to be invested in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and that failure to do so could risk global GDP being up to twenty percent lower than it otherwise might be. April 2008 "We badly underestimated the degree of damages and the risks of climate change,". "All of the links in the chain are on average worse than we thought a couple of years ago."

Stern Review 2006 - economics of climate change

one percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) per annum is required to be invested in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, and that failure to do so could risk global GDP being up to twenty percent lower than it otherwise might be.

UK’s Response The Climate Change Bill Legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emission by at least 26 per cent by 2020 and at least 60 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

The Climate Change Bill

Legally binding target for reducing UK carbon dioxide emission by at least 26 per cent by 2020 and at least 60 per cent by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.

The Importance of Geography …… ..because everything happens somewhere.

UK Impact Annual average temperatures look set to rise by between 2C and 3.5C by the 2080's Precipitation in winter will increase in all areas of the country, in every one of the scenarios. T he increase is predicted to range from between 10% and 20%, depending on the area of the country, for the 'low emissions' . Predicted UK Flood regions, commons Wikipedia

Annual average temperatures look set to rise by between 2C and 3.5C by the 2080's

Precipitation in winter will increase in all areas of the country, in every one of the scenarios.

T he increase is predicted to range from between 10% and 20%, depending on the area of the country, for the 'low emissions' .

The role for Geographic Information Planning Energy Consumption Flooding Transportation Awareness Housing

Planning

Energy Consumption

Flooding

Transportation

Awareness

Housing

The role for Geographic Information Planning LAND USE Green Corridors Industrial Heat Islands Sustainable communities Open Spaces

Planning

The role for Geographic Information Energy Consumption 

Energy Consumption

Energy Loss

The role for Geographic Information Flooding

Flooding

The role for Geographic Information Detailed is key

Detailed is key

The role for Geographic Information Accurate results

Accurate results

Transportation Example: Redditch Borough Council Cango Bus service Fuel consumption down by 5% Capacity up 25% Revenue up 25% (source Ordnance Survey)

Transportation

Awareness - National

Awareness - Local

Sustainable development

Action is necessary Not just for our global environment but…

Action is necessary … also for our local environment

What can you do? Personal Action plan Reduce your carbon footprint http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Personal Action plan

Reduce your carbon footprint

http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html

What can you do? Climate Change Audit: Environmental Perils Flooding Storm Energy consumption Heat loss energy use transportation Awareness Draw up an Geography Action Plan The identification of priority actions as ‘Easy Wins’, ‘Big Strides’ and ‘Lasting Impacts’

Climate Change Audit:

Environmental Perils

Flooding

Storm

Energy consumption

Heat loss

energy use

transportation

Awareness

Draw up an Geography Action Plan

The identification of priority actions as ‘Easy Wins’, ‘Big Strides’ and ‘Lasting Impacts’

Draft model? Source Developing a climate change strategy Briefing note Energy Savings Trust Evaluation Publicise & Implement Ratification Revise Strategy Consultation Draft Strategy Analyse Opportunities START Review Situation

What must you do? National Indicators 185 CO2 reduction from Local Authority operations 186 Per capita CO2 emissions in the LA area 187 Tackling fuel poverty – people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency rating 188 Adapting to climate change 189 Flood and coastal erosion risk management

National Indicators

185

CO2 reduction from Local Authority operations

186

Per capita CO2 emissions in the LA area

187

Tackling fuel poverty – people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency rating

188

Adapting to climate change

189

Flood and coastal erosion risk management

How far should you go?

Because everything happens somewhere A white paper entitled “Tackling climate change: local planning for a global crisis” is a available from www.citiesrevealed.com or by writing to Dr Alun Jones, alunj@citiesrevealed.com