Tangible Changes to Address a Changing Climate Early planning to address climate change focused on trying to reverse global warming. As those efforts continue, it's important to address the impact global warming is already having: sea level rise, extreme weather events, record-breaking heat, drought and wildfires. As a top contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector plays a critical role in both curbing emissions and adapting to changes that put roads, airports, rail, transit systems, pipelines, ports and waterways at risk. Hear about state and federal actions to adapt to climate change, then explore tangible steps communities are taking to make transportation systems more resilient. From New York to Los Angeles County, hear case studies about responding and adapting to local climate risks. Moderator: Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission, Sacramento, California Christopher Forinash, Program Director, National Sustainable Communities Learning Network, Institute for Sustainable Communities, Washington, DC Cris B. Liban, Environmental Department Manager, Metro, Los Angeles, California Projjal K. Dutta, Director, Sustainability Initiatives, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, New York

1. Adaptation and
Transportation
Christopher Forinash
Rail~Volution 2014 - Minneapolis

2. ISC mission and reach
Help communities around the world address environmental, economic,
and social challenges to build a better future shaped and shared by all.
2
Currently, we have 10 offices
worldwide and a staff of 85.

3. Our approach to capacity-building
Peer-learning &
training
workshops
On-going
support/direct
engagement
Efficient access
to high-caliber
information

4. Our work with communities
www.SustainableCommunitiesLeadershipAcademy.org

5. Cities as solutions
~ 380 Teams
~ 500 Communities
~ 2,150 Practitioners
Legend
Climate Leadership Academy
Urban Sustainable Leadership Academy
National Sustainable Learning Network
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Programs
Metro-scale Programs

6. Upcoming workshop
Think Resiliently, Act Regionally
October 14-16 in Alexandria, Virginia
actregionally.splashthat.com
- Metro-Boston
- New England
- National Capital Region
- The Twin Cities
- Sierra Nevada
- Puget Sound Regional Council
- P2R2 Northeast Florida
- Southeast Florida Regional
Climate Change Compact
- Sacramento Capital Region
Climate Readiness Collaborative
- The Bay Area Climate & Energy
Resilience Project
- Los Angeles Regional
Collaborative for Climate Action &
Sustainability
- San Diego Regional Climate
Collaborative

7. Asking the climate question
How might changing climate affect …?
– Ask at all levels: system, networks, facilities, and
services
– Ask in planning, design, construction, and
operation
Kate asked: What are your risks?
Responses? Challenges?

8. What is adaptation?

9. What is adaptation?
Fundamentally a risk management strategy
– Likelihood of climate impacts
– Severity of potential consequences
Identify assets, vulnerabilities, potential responses
Evaluate feasibility, effectiveness, cost
Incorporate into decision-making

10. What range of responses?
Main adaptation responses
– Protection: defensive measures
– Accommodation: change designs
– Managed retreat: removal, relocation
– Avoid: prevention
Start here: vulnerability assessment
– Identify areas, populations, systems for focus
– Use best climate data

12. Southeast Florida
• Climate Compact
– Four counties (2+2), 5.9 million people, signed in 2010
– Common scenarios and vulnerability assessments
• Regional climate action plan in 2012
– 110 recommended actions in 7 areas
– Many on transportation (including mitigation)
– Adaptation Action Areas
• FHWA vulnerability assessment pilot
12

13. Adaptation Action Areas
• Change to Florida Community Planning Act
• Optional comprehensive plan designation
for areas that:
– experience coastal flooding
– are vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea
levels
• Purpose: prioritizing funding for
infrastructure and adaptation planning

14. Resilient Vermont
Response to flooding in 2011: from recovery to
resilience

15. Resilient Vermont recommendations
Know our risks: Conduct a statewide Transportation
Vulnerability Assessment that produces a statewide
data set and map that shows areas of highest
relative vulnerability and is used to guide
prioritization of investment
Align rules and investments for strong communities:
– Designate pilot adaptation areas and direct
investments there
– Provide guidance and incentives to adapt
transportation infrastructure

16. Gulf Coast assessment
• Advanced effort that produced key findings as
well as tools and methods
• Vulnerability assessment of coast from Galveston
to Mobile
• Mobile region
– Detailed asset mapping, vulnerability assessment, risk
analysis
– Excellent new tools
– See Rob Hyman presentation from September 2014

18. 18

19. 19

20. Other resources and tools
FTA adaptation workshops and pilots in 2011-12 –
fta.dot.gov/12347_14013.html
NOAA digital coast – csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast
DOT – climate.dot.gov
Georgetown Climate Center – georgetownclimate.org

21. American Society of Adaptation Professionals
Connecting and supporting the people who are
building climate resilience.
– Build on Promising Practices
– Share Information
– Network & Connect
600+ Members Nationally
– 35% Government (Local, State, Federal, Tribal)
– 30% Non-Profit
– 20% Academic
– 15% Private Sector

22. Joining ASAP

23. Thank you!
Christopher Forinash
cforinash@iscvt.org