Co-sponsored by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School
The impacts of climate change increase the risks and costs associated with stormwater management, maintaining water quality, flooding and extreme weather events. Communities can leverage existing federal, state, and local programs in innovative ways to maximize the benefits of green infrastructure for climate change adaptation and hazard mitigation. New York City is home to two examples of such efforts. One involves a state-local initiative to carpet public and private properties in the city with green infrastructure. The other involves the acquisition of properties in hard hit communities using hazard mitigation and disaster recovery grants. Once these properties are acquired and existing structures removed, the land must be dedicated to open space, recreational, or wetland management uses. Panelists discussed the challenges and benefits associated with these and similar programs that support to adopt nature-based approaches to climate change adaptation.
Introductory remarks:
Michael Burger, Executive Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Panelists:
Justin Gundlach, Climate Law Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (moderator)
Dr. Patricia J. Culligan, Professor, Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University
Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Executive Director, Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, New York State
David Salvesen, Director, Sustainable Triangle Field Site, University of North Carolina
Alisa Valderrama, Senior Policy Analyst, Water Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Materials:
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