Events Calendar

Monday, February 6th

Chautaqua Community House

6:00PM

Presented by National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

 $10 ($7 Member) Buy Tickets Online

Climate news stories often discuss the effects of a warming climate, and what the future might hold for humanity. But less frequently does society hear what policy makers and scientists suggest as ways in which such change might be best managed. Buying compact-fluorescent light bulbs seems like a fine first step, but what bigger picture solutions exist?

Adaptation to a warming climate is one possibility that seems more likely as efforts to curb carbon emissions falter. Among these are: shifting crops to drought- and heat-tolerant varieties to ensure food security; sea walls built to stave off effects of sea-level rise in low lying areas; and greater dependence on non-fossil fuel energy options to reduce global carbon emissions. But what do policy makers in megacities, particularly in developing nations, need to consider in order to better protect their citizens from future climate hazards? How about decision makers in Colorado and the U.S. West? And what plans does the City of Boulder have under way to manage greater fluctuations in temperature and precipitation? Three speakers will discuss some climate-adaptation strategies from global to local perspectives, including:

Paty Romero-Lankao, a National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) scientist, will explore how population-dense megacities in developing nations manage vulnerability to climate change risks such as heat waves, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.
Tom Iseman, program director for water and climate adaptation at the Western Governors' Association, an organization serving 19 western governors and three US-flag Pacific islands, will discuss approaches that Colorado and US western states have looked at for climate adaptation.
Kara Mertz, Boulder's Local Environmental Action Manager who oversees the City of Boulder's Climate Action Plan, will share Boulder's future climate vision and adaptation strategies.