May 9, 2008

Communities get expert help adapting to impacts of climate change

King County, Center for Clean Air Policy, Rockefeller Foundation form team

Communities across the country will soon be able to get expert help making their areas more resilient to the expected impacts of climate change.

It’s part of a new effort by King County Executive Ron Sims, nine local governments and the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) to advance the climate policy discussion beyond greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The work is being funded by grants from the Rockefeller Foundation.

As a charter member of the CCAP Urban Leaders Adaptation Initiative, King County, will host representatives from fellow governments on May 20 for three days of generating ideas, building partnerships and discussion on how to lead the way on ensuring that future infrastructure and land use decisions improve communities’ ability to withstand climate change impacts.

The next phase of the program will examine projected climate impacts in 2050 and “back cast” or work backwards, to identify the necessary steps to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in coming decades.

In addition to King County, the Urban Leaders partners include representatives from Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade County, Fla., Milwaukee, Nassau County, N.Y., Phoenix, San Francisco and Toronto.

More information about the Urban Leaders Initiative is available.

Event
Urban Leaders Adaptation Initiative Media Day - press briefing and tour of King County’s Brightwater Water Reclamation Project and levee system

What
Reporters and invited guests will have the opportunity to gain an on-the-ground look at King County’s cutting-edge adaptation projects and learn how the other Urban Leaders are implementing climate adaptation into their local communities.

Who

• Ned Helme, President, Center for Clean Air Policy
• Ron Sims, County Executive, King County, Washington
• Cristina Rumbaitis del Rio, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, The Rockefeller Foundation
• Joyce Coffee, Director of Project Development, Department of Environment, City of Chicago
• Harvey Ruvin, County Clerk and Chairman of Miami-Dade Climate Change Advisory Task Force, Miami-Dade County

Date
Tuesday, May 20

Time
9 – 10:30 a.m. – press briefing and Q&A
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – tour (transportation and lunch will be provided)

Place:
Cove Room, Bell Harbor Conference Center
2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle