In a year when huge fires burn in California (again), the Mississippi floodplain is massively flooded (again), we learned that 2014-2018 were the the hottest five years in recorded history, and Puerto Rico is still recovering from the damaged caused by Hurricane Maria while new hurricanes keep pounding the coast — the news reminds us about the impacts of the changing climate every day. It is clear that we need to adapt to a new reality as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the chaos of increased global temperatures.
Natural resources have an important role in transitioning to a lower carbon future and adapting to the new reality of extreme storms, drought, flooding, and sea-level rise. A 2018 study of natural climate solutions in the United States found that land conservation, restoration, and management can achieve 21% of the emissions reductions.[1] Organizations and governments at all levels can take steps to help, even local towns, cities, and villages. For example, the Albany (NY) Water Board, [2] permanently conserved its 6,400-acre watershed surrounding its drinking water reservoirs in partnership with a local land trust. It also developed a Sustainable Forest Management Plan with the help of The Nature Conservancy Working Woodlands Program. The credits are expected to generate $1 million for the Water Board over 10 years.
The Albany (NY) waterfront in 2011 after Hurricane Irene. Albany’s waterfront park flooded, but there was less damage than in other Hudson River communities.
Natural resources also have an important role in adapting to the new reality of extreme storms, drought, flooding, and sea-level rise by increasing communities’ climate resilience. The Hudson River Estuary Program defines climate resilience as “our ability to manage climate risks, respond productively as the climate changes and recover quickly from extreme events.” In particular, well-managed wetlands, streams, and floodplains can reduce flood damage from inland flooding. New York has recently released model local laws to protect wetlands and streams that are not sufficiently protected by the state or federal governments. [3]
In New York, as in most of the Northeastern US, cities, towns, and villages have the responsibility to determine how land is used and have wide latitude to protect natural resources. The model laws include examples from 13 municipalities across New York that have used their home rule authority to better protect natural resources that reduce flood risk. Techniques include simple zoning setbacks, supplemental zoning standards, overlay zones, and a stand-alone local law. The document also covers which wetlands and streams to protect, and the value and purpose of buffers. These natural resource protection laws are just one chapter in Model Local Laws to Increase Resilience. Other chapters cover basic land use tools for resiliency, management of floodplain development, and stormwater control measures.
Climate change is a huge challenge for all of us now and in the future. Many of us are wondering what we can do to help. Environmental and conservation groups can use these examples to raise awareness of the options for climate resilience in the communities where they work. You can also learn how to talk about it in ways that your community can understand. Judy Anderson’s bimonthly Climate and Conservation eNews is a great source of ideas. You can learn about resources available in your areas, like the Climate Smart Communities Program, which is a comprehensive program to assist municipalities with climate resilience activities. It includes written guidance, technical assistance, and financial assistance. If you want help working with the local governments in your service area, I can help with that.
[1] Fargione, J.E., Bassett, S., Boucher, T., Bridgham, S.D., Conant, R.T., Cook-Patton, S.C., Ellis, P.W., Falcucci, A., Fourqurean, J.W., Gopalakrishna, T. and Gu, H., 2018. Natural climate solutions for the United States. Science advances, 4(11), p.eaat1869.
[2] In the interest of full disclosure, I am an appointed member of Albany Water Board.
[3] The local laws were released as part of the Climate Risk and Resiliency Act, which also established official sea-level rise projections and requires consideration of impacts of climate change for applicants of certain state permit and funding programs. And in the continued interest of full disclosure, I worked on these model laws when I was with the Hudson River Estuary Program.