Between heat domes, raging wildfires, and worldwide flooding events, it’s hard not to think about the impacts of a changing climate on our near and long-term future. But knowing where to start to plan for resilience can be daunting. Newly released resources can help your city plan to adapt to this new reality, reducing risk and increasing resilience for your community.

Sea level rise planning

Washington’s Department of Ecology’s Lessons Learned from Local Governments Incorporating Sea Level Rise in Shoreline Master Programs shares case studies and takeaways from Washington communities that are voluntarily planning for sea level rise in their Shoreline Master Programs.

The report links to sea level rise planning case studies on the Coastal Hazards Resilience Network Risk Reduction Project Mapper, and highlights use of the most recent science and information on sea level rise in Washington.

Adaption actions for cities

Recognizing that climate risks vary based on city geography and profile, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and McKinsey Sustainability’s report, Focused Adaptation: A strategic approach to climate adaptation in cities, outlines a list of 15 “high-potential” adaptation actions that can work for many types of cities, identified based on risk-reduction potential, cost, feasibility, and stakeholder complexity. In addition to outlining high potential actions, the report includes recommendations for how cities can implement these actions, outlining steps to develop a climate-resilience plan and five principles that should inform the plan.

The report acknowledges that there is no one-size fits all approach to adaption planning. In fact, there are many options and strategies that cities can pursue to adapt to current and future climate impacts. This can make it difficult to set priorities and determine a course of action. The report examines five climate hazards – extreme heat, drought, wildfire, inland flooding and coastal flooding – and identifies actions directed at these particular climate risks, as well as steps to help cities build systemic resilience.

AWC’s Climate Handbook

In case you missed it, AWC’s Center for Quality Communities recently published, Climate Resilience Handbook: Preparing for a changing environment. Cities face daunting challenges in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Find guidance, examples, and dozens of resources to help you assess the unique risks facing your community, develop a climate action plan, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and engage your community.

Take MRSC’s climate survey

Where is your city in its climate response-planning journey? As part of MRSC’s Local Climate Response Project, MRSC is distributing a survey to jurisdictions across the state to assess local climate response efforts. The results will help inform upcoming trainings, blog posts, and other resources. Take the survey.