A State Policy Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change

Transcription

1 A State Policy Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change James Murley, Director Barry N. Heimlich Nick Bollman* Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University *In Memoriam Prepared by: Barry N. Heimlich

2 Table of Contents Characteristics to Guide State Policy Development and Adoption Underlying Climate Change Science Policy Domains Climate adaptation science policy Planning and decision-making Comprehensive land use planning and building regulation Water resource management Transportation and other infrastructure Conservation of natural lands and marine systems Beaches and beach management Emergency preparedness and response Insurance State funding and financing Economic development, health, and social effects Organizing state government for the long haul This project was funded by National Commission on Energy Policy

3 Source: NASA, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2008 Past 10 years 8 hottest years in over 1000 yr.

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5 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS SEA LEVEL RISE DROUGHT WATER SHORTAGES MORE INTENSE HURRICANES TORRENTIAL RAINS WILDFIRES HEAT WAVES ECOLOGICAL CHANGES ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES Florida Governor Charlie Crist State of the State address, March 6, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather patterns than any other state

6 Sea Level Rise Avg. Rate = 2.8 mm/yr Sea level rise due to: o Thermal expansion o Glacial and ice sheet melting Oceans up by ~9 o In last 100 years Rate of sea level rise is accelerating o IPCC: 7-23 by 2100 o Latest thinking* within 50 years 3-5 by 2100 Corroborated by other researchers using different methodologies Beach Erosion at Dania Beach, FL *Science and Technology Committee, MDCCATF, Jan. 08

7 Singer Island, Palm Beach County After Tropical Storm Noel - November 1, 2007 Sun-Sentinel.com

8 Beach erosion 1m 2m rise Inundation by sea water o Barrier Islands o Coastal wetlands o Lower Everglades Encroachment o Waterfront and low lying property Increased flooding Compromised stormwater drainage Rising groundwater o Interior flood plains Exacerbated hurricane storm surges Saltwater intrusion - Biscayne Aquifer

9 Hurricane Jeanne 2004 Miami-Dade County Broward County

10 Develop adaptation research agenda Maintain accessible databases o Projected and actual impacts o Effectiveness of adaptation responses Establish dedicated funding for development of scientific information Ensure public and private participation through partnerships Effectively communicate Seize the economic opportunity

11 Mapping o High resolution maps of topography with overlays of infrastructure, property, water tables, etc. Hydrological models o Forecast effects on saltwater intrusion, water tables, inland waterway levels, stormwater drainage Florida climatological models o Forecast rainfall patterns and temperatures o Hurricane frequency and intensity Everglades hydrology and ecology Track worldwide science programs o Supplement as needed at Florida universities Saltwater Intrusion Broward County, 2001 Broward County Dept. of Environmental Resources in cooperation with SFWMD & USGS Saltwater Intrusion Simulation Miami-Dade County, 2000 USGS, Langevin, Water-Resources Investigations Report , fig. 30, p53

12 Land use planning and growth management Buildings and infrastructure Coastal defenses Water resource management Transportation and other infrastructure Natural land and marine systems Beaches and beach management Emergency preparedness, response, and recovery

13 Incorporate climate change in all planning elements Reexamine comp plans in light of sea level rise, hurricanes and storm surge Revisit Coastal High Hazard Area maps in view of climate change event horizons Enact land use policies to minimize development in high hazard zones o Barrier islands, the Keys, and low-lying inland areas Assess implications for hurricane evacuation routes Consider using property taxes to create incentives/disincentives for climate-impact-sensitive land uses

14 Conduct architectural and engineering research o Building design, construction methods and materials to improve resiliency over useful life of buildings and infrastructure o Visionary thinking for design for the anticipated landscape Florida Building Commission and local agencies should consider: o Reassessing building codes o Modifying Code Plus guidelines for increased hurricane resistance o Adding criteria for sea level rise and other impacts

15 Ideas to consider: Conserve land in coastal areas Protect and restore natural defenses Strategy for protecting properties in view of event horizons Construct dunes, dikes, seawalls and flood control gates Soft defenses revegetation and beach renourishment Update port master plans Address climate change in waterfront planning

16 Conceptual hydrologic model USGS, Langevin, Water-Resources Investigations Report , fig. 15, p24 Manage saltwater intrusion of water wellfields Water conservation, storage, reuse, and recycle o Safeguards against drought and saltwater intrusion Stormwater management o In face of rising sea level, torrential rains, tropical storms and hurricanes Modify wastewater operations for sea level rise

17 State Transportation Plan DOT Future Corridors Metropolitan Planning Organizations Integrate transportation and land use plans through MPOs and RPCs Port Master Plans DCA s Waterfront Florida Placement and design of - o Roadways, bridges, tunnels o Utilities, power grids, NG pipelines, communications o Educational facilities Consider forming Climate Change and Infrastructure Task Force

18 Restoration of Everglades sheet flow as defense against sea water intrusion Climate resilient landscaping and crops Modify fishery and coastal resource management policies for likely impacts to habitats and ecological needs

19 3 adaptation strategies o Armoring o Renourishment o Retreat Policy options to consider o Reassess beach management strategies o Explore innovative engineering solutions e.g. sand pipelines across ocean inlets o Beach hardening dunes, dikes, breakwaters o Relocate at-risk beachfront developments o Negotiated beach renourishment through new public entity

20 Div. Emergency Management, RPCs and stakeholders should reexamine o Goals and strategies o Definition of Coastal High Hazard Areas o Evacuation plans o Hurricane preparedness, response and recovery plans Reconsider recovery objectives within risk and adaptive management context Develop criteria for climate safe development

21 Recalculate state exposure to Citizens and CAT Fund* Encourage property and casualty insurers to reenter Florida market Differentiate risks of long-term sea level rise vs. extreme weather events Establish Climate Change Officer to review local policies Reward climate-protected properties Encourage federal all perils insurance guarantee program Hurricane Wilma,Oct * Florida Catastrophic Hurricane Fund

22 Establish costs and benefits (cost avoidance) of adaptation strategies Establish Climate Change Trust Funds with dedicated revenues and bonding authority Insurance industry should share soft costs (research, retraining, public awareness) Look to public pension funds Portion of cap-and-trade proceeds Private philanthropy, grants, etc.

23 Conduct analysis of economic impacts by industry sector Economic development strategy for goods and services needed for adaptation Climate change environmental and economic task force Track economic, social, health, psychological impacts and develop coping strategies Encourage national policy for humane treatment of climate change refugees

24 Governor should appoint climate adaptation official Governor and Legislature should establish permanent climate change commission o Implemented as FECC o Jim Murley appointed chair State should encourage all local governments to establish adaptation strategies and regional collaboration State should encourage formation of NGOs to partner on adaptation strategy Education and outreach to community and through schools

25 Goals Identify, discuss and prioritize relevant policies, challenges, opportunities, solutions, conclusions and recommendations Gather best available scientific and technical knowledge FAU Civil Engineering Department undertaking Case Study of coastal city water utility Utility-specific vulnerabilities Engineering assessment of current and alternative process technologies and operating strategies Generalized guidance for other water treatment facilities Propose an adaptation planning framework Methodology Literature search Consultation with water experts Geologists, hydrologists, geographers Water engineering consultants Water utility directors Planners, policymakers Case study with Pompano Beach Water Utility

26 Barry N. Heimlich, Senior Fellow Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University ,