Informing Decisions in a Changing Climate (2009) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix A: Climate Change and the New York Metropolitan Region
Appendix A: Climate Change and the New York Metropolitan Region
Pages 167-178
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From page 167... ...
. The appendix then describes three phases of active involvement with climate change: The Metropolitan East Coast Regional Assessment of Climate Variability and Change (MEC)
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From page 168... ...
The first decisions directly related to reducing climate change involved setting an ambitious goal for mitigation, which is set in the city's plan, PlaNYC, as a 30 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels, and then the implementation of actions to accomplish that goal. One of the first actions was an announcement by Mayor Bloomberg of a long-term plan to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the city's municipal buildings and operations by 30 percent much earlier -- by 2017.
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From page 169... ...
and climate change expert partners collaborated on developing assessment questions, provided ongoing feedback throughout the entire process, reviewed products, and helped to shape key conclusions and messages arising from the assessment. Of course, differences among stakeholders coming from the public sector and experts from research institutions did arise, sometimes as a result of differing constraints in terms of providing open access to data.
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From page 170... ...
This understanding has been found to be a critical prerequisite for the assessment of effective and efficient adaptation and mitigation strategies and policies in this complex urban area. A risk-based framework has been devised that combines physical science, geographical, and socioeconomic components (climate indicators, global climate change scenarios, downscaled regional scenarios, change anticipated in extreme events, qualitative assessment of high-impact and low-probability events, associated vulnerabilities, and the gap between existing responses and the flexible adaptation pathways needed)
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From page 171... ...
• Greenhouse gas emissions scenarios span a range of development f utures -- population, gross domestic product, technology Regional Climate Scenarios for Key Variables • Downscaled model-based probabilities for New York City characterize risks • Regional climate model simulations Extreme Events • Frequency and intensity of heat waves, flooding, droughts, and hurricanes and other storms High Impact Scenarios • Ice sheet melting and Greenland/Arctic Sea ice extent are monitored and evaluated Monitor and Reassess Presentations on climate change in the New York Metropolitan Region often end with the words, "monitor and reassess! " Decision support in the region, now beginning its second decade, is a diverse, dynamic process that is continuously adapting.
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From page 172... ...
National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change, MEC investigated potential risks of climate variability and change, identified key vulnerabilities to the stresses that climate change is likely to introduce, and examined feasible adaptation strategies. It also drew attention to the need to mitigate atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in order to reduce long-term risks.
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From page 173... ...
The sector teams, composed of researchers from local universities and stakeholder partners from relevant agencies, focused on identifying vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies, policy recommendations, and gaps in knowledge. The sector studies addressed climate impacts and adaptation through analyses of historical climate trends, case studies of responses to extreme climatic events in the region, and scenario projections.
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From page 174... ...
An agencywide approach provides organizational benefits even beyond climate change planning in fostering communication among bureaus within the agency. From October 2004 to December 2005, the task force held a series of monthly meetings, each focused on particular elements of its work, provided advice to senior agency planners on climate change, held climate change workshops for agency personnel, and engaged in outreach to other city and regional agencies to build links for work on projects and programs of mutual and interrelated interest, with the ultimate aim of building a regional climate change program.
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From page 175... ...
The main conclusions of the NYCDEP task force are that climate change will have wide-ranging, pervasive impacts on the city's water supply, sewer, and wastewater treatment systems and that managing the climate change risks is an important element in the department's efforts to fulfill its operating, investment, and fiduciary obligations. PlaNYC In September 2006 Mayor Michael Bloomberg created the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, with the goal of developing a sustainability plan for the city.
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From page 176... ...
State of good repair Reach a full "state of good repair" on New York City's roads, subways, and rails for the first time in history. Climate Change Climate change Reduce global warming emissions by more than 30%.
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From page 177... ...
In regard to adaptation, three initiatives have been launched: They are an intergovernmental task force to protect vital city infrastructure; the development of site-specific protection strategies with and for vulnerable neighborhoods; and a citywide strategic planning process for climate change adaptation. The intergovernmental task force will work with a technical advisory committee of regional climate experts to develop coordinated climate protection levels for the metropolitan region.
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From page 178... ...
On the mitigation side, a sustainability task force at the Metropolitan Transit Authority is providing a continuing forum for climate change discussions in the region, as is a sustainable buildings series presented by the New York Academy of Sciences. These activities highlight the continuing and important role that local and regional organizations can play in engendering stakeholder involvement in the New York metropolitan region in responding to climate change.
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