Resistance to Climate Change Adaptation

Climate adaptation is a topic we emergency managers need to be paying attention to.  It isn't like we are going to implement some form of carbon emissions reductions on our own, but it is the consequences of global warming that we will have to deal with.  The increase in frequency of disasters coming from storms on land and on the sea will keep us busy.  

 

I suppose if we are interested in our own job continuity we could leave well enough alone since we are in the disaster business and business has been good and projected to get even better.   However, we need to think about ways we can mitigate the damages that disasters have on our communities.  Better land planning and building codes are two ways in which we can participate in disaster reduction.  Forming relationships with our counterparts in the building and land planning offices is one way we can make a difference in future development.  Influencing who we can, when we can to make better choices.

 

Yes, the odds are stacked against us because people are wont to do what they want to do.  Government regulation, especially permitting is seen as an intrusion into people's "freedom" to build, live and develop what they want without a fear of the long term consequences.

 

For more background information see The Resistance to Climate Change Adaption which has a link to aNew IPCC Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation