Even for a small city, addressing climate change is a big task. Starting with an Impacts Assessment we can assess what climate changes to expect under particular scenarios. A Vulnerability Assessment then looks at what systems and infrastructure is vulnerable to those climate changes. Finally the Climate Action Plan uses the data from those assessments and public input to develop a plan to address those vulnerabilities through mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is a long process and the City of Moscow is still in the mists of it but it is a very rewarding process. Currently the Impacts Assessment is completed and the Vulnerability Assessment is underway.
Goals of Climate Action Working Group
of the city of Moscow, Idaho
Whereas: Climate change is an imminent threat to all communities and rural communities in particular (IPCC 2014).
Whereas: Moscow, in particular, faces clear threats regarding wildfire, air quality, and vector borne disease (U.S. Global Research Program 2020).
Whereas: Citizens look to the city government to help in the absence of state and federal recognition of the dangers of the climate crisis.
We aim to:
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Research the potential impact of climate change on Moscow and Latah County through conducting a vulnerability assessment.
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Research the positive, neutral and negative economic, social, and environmental potentials of different actions Moscow could take to mitigate climate change.
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Research the positive, neutral and negative economic, social, and environmental potentials of different actions Moscow could take to adapt to a changing climate.
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Gather public input in regards to mitigation and adaptation actions
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Develop a climate action plan incorporating research and public input
References:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report. 2014. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/
U.S. Global Research Program 2020. https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights/regions/northwest#menu-report