Responding to Climate Changeat the Local Level

Allison M. Chatrchyan Cornell Cooperative ExtensionStatewide Energy & Climate Change Team

Interactive Panel Discussion:

Climate Change at a Local Level“Nation-states will be unable to meet their international commitments for addressing

climate change without local action.”

- Bulkeley and Betsill (2002) Importance of Local Government in NY:

• Home Rule State: 1605 counties, cities, towns and villages

• Local government has authority to address planning, zoning, land use, and local environment protection

Local Governments are Key Climate Actors

• Consume energy in operations• Manage solid waste• Authority over local land use (NY) • Invest in development• Involve local citizens

Climate Change Mitigation• Actions that will reduce the ultimate

magnitude of climate change.• Individuals: Figure out your Carbon Footprint

and Reduce your Energy Use

dec.ny.gov

Climate Change Adaptation

Adopting actions to reduce the impacts/risks of changes that will occur.

nyredcross.org

NYS DEC Climate Smart Communities Pledge

1. Designate Lead Agency, Create Task Force/Committee, join ICLEI or similar program

2. Set Goals, Inventory Emissions, Move to Action3. Decrease Energy Demand for Local Government Operations4. Encourage Renewable Energy for Local Government

Operations5. Realize Benefits of Recycling and Climate Smart Solid Waste

Management6. Promote Climate Protection Through Community Land Use

Tools7. Plan for Adaptation to Unavoidable Climate Change8. Support a Green Innovation Economy9. Educate and Inform the Public 10. Evaluate & Commit to an Evolving Process

96 New York Communities Adopted to Date:

What Communities Can Do

Climate Change Mitigation

Community Planning Decisions – Smart Growth:• Update Comprehensive Plans• Encourage more dense land use development • Transit-oriented development, reducing vehicle

miles traveled• Plan more pedestrian and

bicycle-friendly environments

Dutchess County Greenway Compact & Centers and Green Spaces Plan:http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/countygov/departments/planning/17329.htm

What Communities Can Do

• Update Comprehensive Plans • Support Local Watershed Planning• Adopt in Local Ordinances: Aquifers, Floodplains,

Stream Buffers, Wetlands, Open Space & Farmland• Promote On Site Stormwater Mgmt & Green

Infrastructure• Inventory Infrastructure: Bridges/Water Treatment Plants• Prepare Natural Resource Inventory’s: http

://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Planning/16138.htm

What Communities Can Do

Climate Change Adaptation: Win-Win Solutions

Fringe Benefits• Reduce Risks & Prepare for Disasters• Improve Operations • Upgrade Infrastructure • Save Taxpayer Dollars • Promote Economic Growth – Green Jobs• Create Desirable, Sustainable communities:

Smart Growth & Low Impact Development

Resources for Communities

Cornell Climate Change PWT:

www.climatechange.cornell.eduNYS DEC Office of Climate Change:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/43166.htmlNYS Climate Action Council:

www.nyclimatechange.usClimate Smart Communities:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/50845.htmlNYSERDA:

http://www.nyserda.org/municipalitiesNYS Energy Efficiency Clearinghouse:

http://www.nyserda.org/clearinghouse/localgov.aspHow Green is my Town?

http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/hgimtindex.html ICLEI-Local Govt’s for Sustainability:

http://www.icleiusa.org/

Questions for our Panel?

Allison Chatrchyan, Ph.D. CCE Dutchess County

CCE Energy & Climate Change TeamCornell Climate Change Program Work Team

email: amc256@cornell.edutel: 845.677.8223 x 136

http://www.climatechange.cornell.edu