Abby Hall

U.S. EPA Office of Sustainable Communities San Francisco, CA

Climate Risks for Cities

Extreme heat, heat waves, and air quality problems, due in part to heat-trapping landscapes like roofs and paved surfaces. Flooding from increased intensity and frequency of storms. More periods of drought and water scarcity. Sea level rise.

Impacts to City Functions

Increased costs for repairing and maintaining infrastructure because of flooding, land subsidence, and erosion. Some infrastructure may become unusable because of sea-level rise. Public health problems related to heat waves, poor air quality, extreme weather, or an increased vulnerability to disease. Threats to buildings and transportation infrastructure.

Two Case Studies

1. Lyon, France 2. Barcelona, Spain

Lyon

Impacts
Heat waves and urban heat island Greatest increase in summer months Rainfall reductions

Barcelona

Impacts
Sea level rise Saltwater intrusion impacts on drinking water & irrigation Rainfall reductions Drought 5 C increase in annual mean temperature

Sense of Urgency Matters

Lyon August 2003 heat wave caused over 14,000 deaths across France and an 80% increase in local mortality. Public health motive to reduce temperatures. Barcelona Hasnt yet experienced serious impacts from climate change and lacks this sense of urgency to take action.

Supporting Local Resilience

EPA and FEMA Partnership
Hazard Mitigation Planning Disaster Recovery Adaptation to Climate Change

http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/fema_moa.htm