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beyond no regrets

Kyle A. Poyar 2008 Ernest F. Hollings Scholar Candidate for A.B. in Environmental Studies Presentation to CES: April 30, 2010 Contact: poyar.kyle@gmail.com. // a ssessing the economic efficiency of climate adaptation in R hode I sland //. beyond no regrets. Climate Change in the U.S.

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beyond no regrets

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  1. Kyle A. Poyar 2008 Ernest F. Hollings Scholar Candidate for A.B. in Environmental Studies Presentation to CES: April 30, 2010 Contact: poyar.kyle@gmail.com //assessing the economic efficiency of climate adaptation in Rhode Island // beyond no regrets

  2. Climate Change in the U.S. “… unequivocal…” “… occurring now…” - U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009)

  3. Adaptation to Climate Change

  4. Moving Beyond No Regrets Adapted from Poyar and Beller-Simms, 2009.

  5. My Project • How could one apply economic methods to climate change adaptation policy? • How much will climate change-induced heat waves and hurricanes cost RI in $ terms? • When would adaptation be cost-effective?

  6. Key Considerations • Net Present Value • Discount Rate • 3% • Value of Human Life • $6.9 million per life

  7. Heat Waves, Climate Change, and Human Health 2003 European Heat Wave Kills 25,000 Urban Heat Island Effect

  8. Heat Deaths in Rhode Island from 2007-2070

  9. Costs of Extreme Heat from 2007-2070

  10. Hurricanes and R.I. New England Hurricane of 1938

  11. Hurricanes and Economic Risk

  12. Adaptation Options • Heat Waves • Air-Conditioning • Warning and Alert Systems • Urban Forestry • Hurricanes • Relocation • Strengthen buildings • Hurricane barriers • Preparedness , Evacuation

  13. Cost-Benefit of Adaptation Policies

  14. Implementing Climate Adaptation

  15. Adaptation Options • Heat Waves • Air-Conditioning • Warning and Alert Systems • Urban Forestry • Hurricanes • Relocation • Strengthen buildings • Hurricane barriers • Preparedness , Evacuation

  16. The Case for Urban Forestry

  17. Federal Funding

  18. Climate Risk Reduction Act

  19. Conclusions • Adaptation to heat waves and hurricanes can be justified on cost-effectiveness grounds • Cost-benefit analyses can support projects with substantial benefits to vulnerable populations • Rhode Island should start taking bold adaptation action today

  20. J. Timmons Roberts, Brown University Sri Nagavarapu, Brown University Nancy Beller-Simms, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gordon Sparks, University of Saskatchewan Josh Foster, Center for Clean Air Policy Ivo Welch, Brown University Kurt Teichert, Brown University Fellow CES Students and ENV 201 Classmates THANK YOU!

  21. Discussion • What needs to happen (e.g. public awareness) for adaptation to move forward?

  22. Discussion • To what extent should adaptation be a local, state, versus national issue?

  23. Discussion • How can Brown students become more engaged in climate adaptation (policy and research)?

  24. Discussion • Is cost-benefit analysis appropriate for climate change adaptation? What should be the role of equity, legitimacy, and other policy evaluation criteria?

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