By Shawn Dell Joyce

Many scientists agree that we have waited too late to address climate change and are now going to suffer some consequences. What is debatable is how severe those consequences will be.

We still have a chance to act now to reduce the impact on our children and grandchildren. It is only a matter of time before a carbon cap is legislated, and we begin to reduce emissions. Atmospheric carbon can have a 100-year life span. So, even if we stop all emissions today we will still impact climate in the 22nd century.

So how can we adapt to our changing climate and prepare our communities for the weird weather to come? Change at a local government level begins with reducing emissions then preparing for drought, or deluge (depending where you're located). We need to prepare for rising sea levels, changes in agriculture and growing seasons, and the loss of livelihoods. Luckily, there is an organization that helps local governments learn where they are vulnerable, and how to reduce the catastrophic consequences of climate change.

The ICLEI, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. It thinks globally but acts locally to help communities. Annie Strickler, council communications director, says "you can't just choose mitigation or adaptation strategies. They go hand-in-hand. While we're working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many if not all communities need to prepare for impacts that are currently happening or will happen in the years and decades to come."

Strickler adds that it is much cheaper to adapt now, than try to catch up later or pay to clean up the consequences of not adapting.

To help local governments, the council cooperated with King County in Washington State and its Climate Impacts Group to produce a free guidebook that "takes the mystery out of planning for climate impacts by specifying the practical steps and strategies that can be put into place now."

These steps include:

• How to create a global warming adaptation team.
• How to identify community vulnerabilities to global warming.
• How to identify, select and implement adaptation options.

One International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives success story is Keene, N.H. Keene is in a low-lying area that has experienced terrible flooding. In 2005, more than a third of the city was flooded, causing massive evacuations.

Scientists are predicting more heavy rain for the Northeast's future, and so Keene worked with the council to learn how to avoid future catastrophes.

The process brought together all city department heads, medical, social, and emergency personnel. What they discovered is they needed better storm-water management, green building codes and a way to feed the community when all the roads are washed out by flooding.

Some of the goals they formed:

• Providing loans to companies that might be harmed by a warming climate, such as the ski industry, snow plowing businesses, and maple sugar industries.
• Supporting local farmers to increase local food production by 20 percent, so that when droughts and floods disrupt outside food supply lines, local farms will be able to feed the immediate community.
• Building stronger roofs to handle wetter, heavier snowstorms than what they are used to.
• Using porous pavement to prevent storm water runoff, and improving storm sewers to handle more volume.

Keene City Planner Mikaela Engert points out that "this is something that can be replicated, whether you're a community of 1,000 people or 1.5 million, it doesn't matter. You can do this. Ultimately we're talking about protecting people, property and our community."

Here are a few suggestions adapted from the Post Carbon Cities Web site to take to your local government:

• Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by signing the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. More about this can be found at www.coolmayors.com
• Join the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and download the "Preparing for Climate Change" workbook from www.iclei.org/us
• Develop a "peak oil task force" and sign the Oil Depletion Protocol to send a message that your area is serious about reducing dependence on foreign oil and addressing peak oil concerns. More about that is at www.oildepletionprotocol.org
• Fundamentally rethink your municipality's land use and transportation practices. Preserve more open spaces and encourage walkable downtowns.
• Make decisions based on the next 100 years and how they will influence future generations.
• Encourage serious energy efficiency in the private and business sectors. Pass energy-efficiency guidelines and create incentives for builders and homeowners.
• Encourage the entire community to talk about how we can adapt, educate and involve all elected officials, and encourage local entrepreneurs to fill gaps.
• Address each problem individually and come up with multiple solutions. Set clear, reachable goals rather than dictate only one course of action. There might be many ways to reach the same goal.

Thanks to Shawn Dell Joyce for permission to reprint her article.
Photo credit: Joe Plocki