Climate and Sustainable Development

How does climate affect development?

How can we push-back against global climate change?

How can grassroots efforts contribute?

Climate and Development

Annual Decadal Century Longer

ºF3 4 5 6

NCAR

NCAR 47N

42N

46N

41N

45N

40N

39N

43N

44N

80W 78W 76W 70W 68W72W74W

NCAR 90N

30S

60N

60S

30N

90S

EQ

0 60E 120E 120W 60W 0180

Crops

Natural resource availability

Water Resources

Extreme weather & natural disasters

Variability Change

Hydropower

Sea-level rise and coastsHabitability

Disease ecology

Growth - Sustainability -

Degradation - Collapse

Examples of NYC Initiatives

Mitigation and Adaptation Efforts

• Mayor’s “PlaNYC 2030” Initiative• Borough President’s “East Harlem Go Green”• WEACT/Columbia/UDL “West Harlem Go Green”• Community Board 3 “Greening Lower Manhattan East”• Sustainable S. Bronx Initiatives• NYSDEC/NYSERDA Bronx tree-planting• Large Cities Climate Summit “C40” Spring 2007

Many successful local initiatives…

• Address multiple issues (e.g. climate and energy efficiency; climate and public health)

• Have a positive socio-economic impact (e.g. reduce poverty; lower bills)

• Improve quality of life (e.g. greening neighborhoods)

• Set a local example for national and international policy-makers