Environmental Connections

Environmental Connections is forging links among our leaders of non-profits, for-profits and governments to address environmental sustainability. Visit here to see some of the projects we are working on.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Climate Change and the DPW?


Water Use is one element that connects climate change and the DPW, who manage our streets to keep them passable and pleasant. When challenged by climate change, water run off increases, but how do we estimate what the effects will be?

Last year, the Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Project, part of the MIT Science Impact Collaborative produced the report “Managing Risk: Helping Cities in Massachusetts Adapt to Climate Change. (http://web.mit.edu/dusp/epp/music/). This report featured case studies on climate adaptation efforts in Massachusetts cities and concluded that most cities in the Commonwealth have created climate action plans focusing on the mitigation of greenhouse gases,but few have made plans that address adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

To help fill this gap in adaptation planning the Science Impact Collaborative created role-play simulations for public officials, city business and environmental leaders and concerned citizens learn more about managing the risks associated with climate change impacts.

Piloted in Gloucester Ma, the group of public officials were presented with the following scenario: River and stream levels have been remarkably volatile in the region around Evantown for the past decade, reaching record highs and lows. The major source of water both for the city and for area businesses and industry is the Foltz River, which experienced notably high water levels three years ago but has fallen to record lows for the past two years. A drought in 2008 brought the issue to a head as the city of Evantown was forced to implement a water conservation initiative due to low water levels.

The mayor has now convened five key stakeholders to discuss the three major decisions that will impact future use of the river—whether or not to increase water allocations to several different actors, whether and how to invest in improving the efficiency of the water infrastructure, and whether and how to improve residential water use efficiency. A key criterion in determining the merit of a particular set of options is how seriously the group takes the most extreme projected impacts of climate change.

This scenario allowed leaders to address climate change and sparked discussions between the participants and with other community members not present at the simulation about the types of climate impacts that may affect Gloucester and how the city could begin to address these issues.

We are bringing this information to the Amesbury Mayor's office in hopes his administration will be interested in following up on this opportunity to foster their own expertise as they practice a climate change scenario with other community leaders.


Environmental Connections- the Great Marsh

Over here is a group devoted to scientific study of the Massachusetts Great Marsh. Over there is a group devoted to its preservation. Among them are the every day folks who train ride through the Marsh and the citizens of the towns and cities nearby who benefit from its fish, clams, clean water, and beauty. Connecting these organizations and people who benefit is what I do best. All of it helps the Great Marsh to thrive as an ecosystem.