How can this region – and the nation – prepare for anticipated impacts of climate change? More federal funding, government partnerships, conservation education and access to climate modeling data were all suggestions relayed to the chair of the President's Council on Environmental Quality on Sunday. Chair Nancy Sutley came to the Portland region June 6 seeking input on preparing for potential climate change impacts, inviting a panel of 25 local and regional leaders to share metro area examples of climate change preparation and suggestions for the federal government.
Metro Council President Bragdon commended recent examples of interjurisdictional partnerships at the national level and urged continued leadership and support of such coordination at the local and regional level to address complex climate change issues. He also recommended that the federal reauthorization of the transportation bill include climate change considerations.
Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder called for the Department of Education to require curriculum that builds our nation's environmental literacy, sharing Metro's ongoing work in conservation education as an example.
Other participants, including local government elected officials and representatives of advocacy organizations, made additional suggestions ranging from increasing federal funding and updating current approval processes to improving coordination at all levels, some calling for Metro to play a convening role in climate change adaptation discussions at the regional level. Public health, emergency management and water quality emerged as key concerns related to climate change.
While ongoing efforts to reduce the effects of climate change continue as a high priority, scientists predict that impacts will occur, reinforcing the need to prepare. In this region, a coalition is working on a regional framework for climate adaptation planning. The lower Willamette River basin climate preparation framework, scheduled for release this fall, will provide guidance to regional partners. The federal task force will deliver a report to the president this fall calling for a national strategy to coordinate interagency preparations for climate change impacts and equipping communities with resources to limit local vulnerability.