As climate change causes more extreme weather globally, the Kansas City community can learn what to expect here and how to prepare at a Climate Resilience Workshop on November 12.
The first of four workshops features Dr. Christopher Anderson, a climatologist at Iowa State University who has conducted extensive research on climate change issues throughout the Midwest. Anderson will share potential climate change scenarios that the Kansas City region can expect – from extreme weather to broad trends.
Following his presentation, a local panel will discuss potential implications for the region. Small group discussions will focus on key impacts of these changes on our natural environment, economy, infrastructure and public health — and resilience strategies already underway in the region.
For its ongoing efforts, the White House and Department of Energy named the Kansas City region a Climate Action Champion in 2014. Area partners are already working to develop a regional climate resilience strategy that will assess climate change trends for the metro area, identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, and include alternative mitigation, adaptation and resilience options.
The Climate Resilience Workshop series will help decision makers and community partners link potential strategies across multiple sectors, including air quality, ecosystem management, energy, hazard mitigation and emergency planning, land use, public health, transportation and water.
Ultimately, this regional strategy will identify high-level priorities and provide area communities with information they can use to enhance resiliency at the local and regional levels.
This free event will be held 1 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO. It is hosted by the Academy for Sustainable Communities, partnering with the Kansas City Metro Section of the American Planning Association and the Mid-America Regional Council.
For more information and to register, go to the Academy of Sustainable Communities.
Top photo: The Kansas City, MO skyline from Kaw Point. Photo by Tommy McNeese.
Attended the first part of this introductory workshop. It was not too technical for a lay audience, but did provide some insight into how climate science projections are built.
There was emphasis on low income sectors of the community which are always impacted first.