Already seeing climate impacts on water – e.g. ATL Only 6 months after a record multi-yr drought… 13+ inches of rain fell in one week in mid-Sept (one-quarter the normal annual rainfall) – 10 deaths, $500M damage, shut down Interstates, swamped sewage plants To anyone paying attention this is setting off alarms; We need to fundamentally rethink our water systems.
Shape the way that humans adapt so that it is effective, affordable, and compatible with the natural environment Help wildlife adapt by protecting and restoring the natural form and function of rivers
Center photo: www.sewerhistory.org/grfx.htm; 4:00: water pipe break in L.A. by Frederic Carpentier (flickr); 8:00: Ryan Pikkel January ’08 Chicago sinkhole (flickr); 2:00: Todd Lappin (flickr) September ’07 sinkhole in San Francisco, CA;
PROTECT, RESTORE, MIMIC, CONSERVE
Protect, restore, replicate Protect – small streams, wetlands, buffer zones, source water watersheds, etc Restore – flood plains and other degraded areas to better restore natural function and protect communities (photo:Anita Westervelt-FEMA-Former Residentail area in Crystal City MO was bought out by State and Local Govt for flood plain) Replicate – natural function in urban areas – using techniques such as green roofs, raingardens and rain barells to infiltrate, exaporate and reuse water. A key strategy as part of urban revitalization.
PROTECT, RESTORE, MIMIC, CONSERVE
Invest in green infrastructure: a. Improve effectiveness, b. Enhance resilience, c. Reduce greenhouse gases, d. Address uncertainty, e. Save money, f. Create domestic jobs