Overview of climate change adaptation techniques with a focus on natural hazards faced in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. These hazards may become more acute due to climate fluctuations.

1. Scott Shuford, AICP
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2.  PAS Report – Collaborative
effort
 Help planners incorporate
energy and climate change
considerations into their work
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3. Local Warming. It’s
too late to stop
climate change.
What we can do is
plan for it.
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4. CLIMATE ADAPTATION HAZARD MITIGATION
 Adjustment in natural or
human systems in
response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli
or their effects, which
moderates harm or
exploits beneficial
opportunities. (IPCC;
TAR)
 Hazard Mitigation is
sustained action taken
to reduce or eliminate
long-term risk to people
and their property from
hazards and their
effects. (FEMA)
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5. Wildfires
Heat Waves
Flooding
Drought
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Wildfires
Photo: NASA
2006 California Wildfires

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Community Wildfire Protection Plan
✔ Step One: Convene Decisionmakers
✔ Step Two: Involve Federal Agencies (USFS and BLM)
✔ Step Three: Engage Interested Parties
✔ Step Four: Establish a Community Base Map
✔ Step Five: Develop a Community Risk Assessment
✔ Step Six: Establish Community Priorities and
Recommendations
✔ Step Seven: Develop an Action Plan and Assessment
Strategy
✔ Step Eight: Finalize Community Wildfire Protection
Plan

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Firewise Communities
www.ncfirewise.org

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Heat Waves
Excessive Heat Events Guidebook; EPA; 2006

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Design for Heat
Image by www.hopeplantation.org/

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Source: Lawrence B. Livermore National Laboratory, Berkeley, California

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Heat Effects – Defense Industry
Heat Effects
• Training
• Equipment
• Air Operations and
Infrastructure
• Energy Use
• Ecosystem Management

21. Address population vulnerabilities at state,
regional and local levels
Conduct health impact assessments
Address population equity issues
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Population
Heat
Waves
Storms Floods
Air
Pollution
Diseases (Food
& Water Borne)
Diseases
(Vector Borne)
Persons over 65 (the elderly)      
Persons 14 & under      
Persons with disabilities or chronic
illnesses      
Linguistically isolated persons (non-
English speaking or English as a
second language - ESL)
     
Socially isolated persons, including
the homeless      
Single adults with children  
Transportation-challenged (no car or
transit) persons  
Persons residing in high crime areas   
Persons residing in mobile homes     
Persons with below median incomes     
Persons residing in substandard
housing      
Persons residing in multifamily
structures 

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Low-Regrets Policy – Green Infrastructure
Planning Activity Possible Responses Comments
Delivery of social services
EHE awareness programs.
Coordination of EHE shelter operations.
Medical assessment and treatment programs.
Vulnerable population database.
Distribution of light-colored clothing.
Employer outreach.
Reaching vulnerable populations with
information and services is critical prior
to and during EHEs. Employers need to
understand the health consequences
of strenuous outdoor work during
EHEs.
Design of buildings
and sites
Design for natural ventilation.
Install awnings and overhangs.
Shade-providing landscaping.
Backup electrical systems/generators.
Use of heat-dissipating materials & colors.
Retention of mature landscaping for shade.
Energy-efficient design.
Natural ventilation, especially in
multifamily buildings helps counter
EHE effects. Energy-efficient design
makes it more likely for lower income
persons to use their A/Cs. Natural
landscaping lessens the urban heat
island effect.
Neighborhood and
comprehensive planning
Neighborhood-based shelters.
Vulnerable population database helps direct capital
improvement programs.
Advance planning for EHEs in
neighborhood and community design
is helpful.
Recreational programs and
amenities
Provision of shade in parks and playgrounds.
Timing/programming of outdoor recreation programs
during EHEs.
Timing and programming (e.g., keeping
pools open) offer reduced exposure to
and relief from heat.
Public safety planning
Early warning alerts.
EHE shelter management operations.
Coordination with electric utilities during EHEs.
EHE awareness programs.
Vulnerable population database.
Increased law enforcement in high-crime areas during
EHEs.
Early warning alerts from public safety
officials get more attention.
Coordination with utilities is critical.
Knowing the location of vulnerable
populations enhances response.
People in high crime areas may not
open windows during EHEs.
Utility system management,
especially electricity and
water supply
No scheduled maintenance or shutdowns during
EHEs.
Coordination with public safety officials during EHEs.
Continuity of utility operations is
critical to counter the effects of EHEs.

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Photo: NASA
Hurricane Irene
Flooding

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A Walkable Place . . .
BuncombeCountyGISaerialphoto;Shufordphotos
Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC

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. . . Can Become Swimmable.
Photo courtesy of Mark Combs

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Source: http://sd.defra.gov.uk/images/2030infrastructure.jpg

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New York City Subway Grates
Simple Solutions

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Design with Nature
Green Infrastructure
Images from EPA’s Green Infrastructure Case Studies; 2010

31. Source:
FHWA

32. All images – Popular Science
Oops!

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Drought
North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council
www.ncwater.org

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15A NCAC 02E .0614 Default Water Use
Reduction Measures During NCDMAC
Exceptional Drought Designations

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Nuclear energy - North Carolina’s three
systems generate nearly 32 percent of the
state’s electricity.

37. Potable Water Supply – Conservation, Storage,
New Sources, Inter-Community Linking,
Emergency Supplies, Diversion from Non-
Potable Uses, Retrofits
Energy (Blackouts and Brownouts) –
Understanding Vulnerability, Improved
National Electric Grid, Less Vulnerable Sources,
Improved Efficiency, Conservation
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38. Reviewed some climate adaptation techniques
for addressing wildfire, heat wave, flooding
and drought impacts
Address these impacts in your Hazard
Mitigation Plans
And, most of all, remember that . . .
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It Takes a Team…
• Long-range planning/community
development
• Emergency response and natural
hazards planning
• Economic development
• Parks and open space
• Transportation and engineering
• Utilities (water, wastewater, etc.)
• Administration/finance
• Chamber of commerce
• Public health
• Social services
• Local non-profits

40. As Extreme Weather Events Become More Common,
We Will All Have An Extreme Weather Story or Two
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Photo Credits:
NOAA, FEMA,
DOT, AP

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Building Codes
Images by Scott Shuford
Flooding Adaptation

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44. Scott Shuford, AICP
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