Role of Natural Systems in Climate Change Preparedness
Role of Natural Systems in Climate Change Preparedness Stephen Long Director of Government Relations The Nature Conservancy
Role of Natural Systems in Climate Change Preparedness
Steve Long, Director of Government Relations EBC, April 11, 2013
Scituate, MA, December 2010
Taunton-Area Flooding 2010
Tropical Storm Irene Western, MA
Mantoloking, NJ: Before and After Sandy
Trends in Flood Damages Average Annual Flood Damages 0
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s
2
4
1990s
10
$2.0 $2.9
$2.4 $3.4 $2.2
1970s 1980s
8
$2.2
1950s 1960s
6
$4.9 $3.3 $5.6
2000s
$10.0 Billions (adjusted to 1999 dollars)
8
12
Proportion
Global Hurricane Trends 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Data Base IBTraCS Cat 1-2
Cat 4-5
2010
1975 0.20
Holland and Bruyere (2012) Similar results in: Holland and Webster (2007) Elsner et al (2009)
0.40 0.60 0.80 Anth. Warming (oC)
9
Karl et al 2009
Healthy Natural Systems Provides Reduced Risk from Natural Hazards Need to be part of the Toolbox
Framing Climate Adaptation
What is TNC doing to Promote Nature-Based Solutions? • Science and Planning Tools • On-the-Ground Projects • Collaboration
• Public Policy
Science: What is the Ecological Knowledge? Example: review of wave attenuation studies
Shepard et al. in review. PloS One
designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation… …and conserve resilient areas that will function over long time frames and accommodate climate impacts.
Resilience Strategies: Ecological Process Large patches
Limit Stressors
Connectivity Representation
Replication
www.nhesp.org Henry Woolsey, Natural Heritage & Endangered Sp. Program Andy Finton, The Nature Conservancy James DeNormandie, Mass Audubon Jessica Dyson, The Nature Conservancy Sarah Haggerty, Natural Heritage & Endangered Sp. Program
Tools: sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios
Tools: sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios
Tools: Coastal habitats: now and in the future
Hoover et al. 2010
Projects: Oyster Reef Restoration
Oyster Reefs
Project: Cape May, New Jersey
Before Restoration
After Restoration
After Hurricane Sandy
King property, 66 acres, Taunton River, Raynham – NRCS Wetland Reserve Program
Collaboration
Alliance: Conservation planning, tools and strategies to retrofit and/or remove infrastructure that benefits public safety, municipal finance and nature
Dialogue: TNC and ACEC (Engineers) Barriers: • Liability • Lack of data on climate impacts • Outdated specifications
Opportunities: • Customerdemand • Regulatory drivers • Public funding
Public Policy: Flood Control Infrastructure Dam/Flood Control Law: $20 Million Loans and Grants Proposed: $120 Million Coastal Infrastructure in EnviroBond
Public Policy: Transportation Infrastructure Crossings: Bridges and culverts Partners: FHWA, MassDOT, UMass
Public Policy: Water Infrastructure Funding for green infrastructure: • Set-aside • Preferential
Federal Agencies/Programs
$1,800.00
$1,600.00 $1,400.00 $1,200.00 $1,000.00
Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding
$800.00
$600.00 $400.00 $200.00 $-
Dollars in millions *FY13 is President’s request
All other FEMA Hazard Mitigation Funding
Role of Natural Systems in Climate Change Preparedness
Steve Long, Director of Government Relations EBC, April 11, 2013
Scituate, MA, December 2010
Taunton-Area Flooding 2010
Tropical Storm Irene Western, MA
Mantoloking, NJ: Before and After Sandy
Trends in Flood Damages Average Annual Flood Damages 0
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s
2
4
1990s
10
$2.0 $2.9
$2.4 $3.4 $2.2
1970s 1980s
8
$2.2
1950s 1960s
6
$4.9 $3.3 $5.6
2000s
$10.0 Billions (adjusted to 1999 dollars)
8
12
Proportion
Global Hurricane Trends 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Data Base IBTraCS Cat 1-2
Cat 4-5
2010
1975 0.20
Holland and Bruyere (2012) Similar results in: Holland and Webster (2007) Elsner et al (2009)
0.40 0.60 0.80 Anth. Warming (oC)
9
Karl et al 2009
Healthy Natural Systems Provides Reduced Risk from Natural Hazards Need to be part of the Toolbox
Framing Climate Adaptation
What is TNC doing to Promote Nature-Based Solutions? • Science and Planning Tools • On-the-Ground Projects • Collaboration
• Public Policy
Science: What is the Ecological Knowledge? Example: review of wave attenuation studies
Shepard et al. in review. PloS One
designed to guide strategic biodiversity conservation… …and conserve resilient areas that will function over long time frames and accommodate climate impacts.
Resilience Strategies: Ecological Process Large patches
Limit Stressors
Connectivity Representation
Replication
www.nhesp.org Henry Woolsey, Natural Heritage & Endangered Sp. Program Andy Finton, The Nature Conservancy James DeNormandie, Mass Audubon Jessica Dyson, The Nature Conservancy Sarah Haggerty, Natural Heritage & Endangered Sp. Program
Tools: sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios
Tools: sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios
Tools: Coastal habitats: now and in the future
Hoover et al. 2010
Projects: Oyster Reef Restoration
Oyster Reefs
Project: Cape May, New Jersey
Before Restoration
After Restoration
After Hurricane Sandy
King property, 66 acres, Taunton River, Raynham – NRCS Wetland Reserve Program
Collaboration
Alliance: Conservation planning, tools and strategies to retrofit and/or remove infrastructure that benefits public safety, municipal finance and nature
Dialogue: TNC and ACEC (Engineers) Barriers: • Liability • Lack of data on climate impacts • Outdated specifications
Opportunities: • Customerdemand • Regulatory drivers • Public funding
Public Policy: Flood Control Infrastructure Dam/Flood Control Law: $20 Million Loans and Grants Proposed: $120 Million Coastal Infrastructure in EnviroBond
Public Policy: Transportation Infrastructure Crossings: Bridges and culverts Partners: FHWA, MassDOT, UMass
Public Policy: Water Infrastructure Funding for green infrastructure: • Set-aside • Preferential
Federal Agencies/Programs
$1,800.00
$1,600.00 $1,400.00 $1,200.00 $1,000.00
Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding
$800.00
$600.00 $400.00 $200.00 $-
Dollars in millions *FY13 is President’s request
All other FEMA Hazard Mitigation Funding
