Addressing Climate Change:How will we Adapt?

Alan C. ClarkHouston-Galveston Area Council | 2009

Dr. Philip BedientHerman and George R. Brown Professor of Civil EngineeringRice University

Dr. Peter BishopProfessor of Future StudiesUniversity of Houston

Alan ClarkDirector, Transportation PlanningHouston-Galveston Area Council

Dr. Robert HarrissPresident and CEOHouston Advanced Research Center

Dr. Neal LaneMalcolm Gillis University Professor & Professor of PhysicsSenior Fellow, Baker InstituteRice University

Dr. Barry LeferAssistant Professor, Department of GeosciencesUniversity of Houston

Dr. Eugene LeongConsultant

Mike Talbott, P.E.Director, Harris County Flood Control DistrictHarris County Public Infrastructure Department

Dr. Arnold VedlitzProfessor, Bob Bullock Chair in Government and Public Policy Director of the Institute for Science, Technology, and Public PolicyTexas A&M University

H-GAC Foresight Panel on Environmental Effects

Future Climate Scenario

By Year 2100

• Temperature rise of 2-7º F

• Sea level rise of 2-5 feet

• Longer dry periods but heavier rainfall events

• Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and tropical storms

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Recommendations

• Management

• Growth

• Investment

• Recovery and Reconstruction

Strengthen mutual aid agreements

Building in resilience

Consider longer term view of infrastructure needs

New financingmechanisms

Management

• Use historical climate record and credible climate change projections in planning.

• Enhance coordination of evacuation plans and communication systems.

• Review and strengthen mutual aid agreements to improve intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.

• Develop heat wave management plans.

• Use alternative paving products.

• Implement stricter emission controls.

Growth

• Avoid construction in areas subject to sea level rise.• Build compact communities• Build livable centers• Consider appropriateness of different modes of transportation.

Reinvestment

• Consider a longer term view of infrastructure needs than as planned today.

Recovery and Reconstruction

• H-GAC should assist local governments with climate change planning.

Plan and guide

Phasing Strategies

Time

Strengthen and protect

Relocate

Next Steps

• Regional Flood Management Council Guidebook, 2009

• Resiliency Planning Workshop, April 2009

• Texas A&M Bush School Capstone Project, 2009

Questions?

To download the report, visitwww.h-gac.com/go/environmentaleffects