Community Resilience and Climate Change: The Role of Public Works Andrew Clough AB Clough Consulting
Community Resilience and Climate Change:
The Role of Public Works
Andrew CloughAB Clough Consulting
Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate Change
“Men Argue. Nature Acts.” Voltaire
Climate Change Impacts
Increased storm intensity
Sea level rise
Climate Change Impacts
Increased Risk of Drought, Fire and Flood
Economic losses
Climate Change
A sign of the Times?
Community ResilienceCommunity resilience is the capacity of a community to survive and thrive no matter the stresses encountered.
• Acute Shocks• Chronic Stresses
Community ResilienceAcute Shocks• Hazardous Materials• Flooding• Hurricane• Earthquakes• Terrorism• Wildfire• Tornadoes• Tsunami
Community ResilienceChronic Stresses• Aging Infrastructure• Rising Sea Level• Crime• Poverty• Drought• Pollution• Inequity• Food Shortage
Community ResilienceCommunity Resilience depends on:
• Physical Assets• Policies and Plans• Social Capital• Institutions
What role does Public Works Play?
Physical Assets: Role of PW
Asset Management / Operations and Maintenance
Plans and Policies: Role of PW
Prioritizing Critical Infrastructure Energy Efficiency / First Responders
Social Capital: Role of PW The network of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively.
Social Capital: Role of PW
Working with Volunteers / CommissionsAnd Regional Agencies
Institutions: Role of PW
Coordination / Collaboration / Flexibility
Resilience: Berkeley ExampleFocus Areas:• Improve ability
to shelter displaced residents
• Improve access to clean emergency backup power
• Strengthen ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change
Public Works: City of BerkeleyVisionTo develop a more flexible, responsive, and resilient Department that provides an atmosphere where excellent customer service thrives.
Strategic Priorities1. People 1st
2. Communication and Information Management
3. Service Delivery with Fiscal Responsibility
Public Works: Your Department
What role do you Play?