Question: Describe the physical and economic landscape of the jurisdiction as outlined in the plan. Include the name of the planning jurisdiction, its location, population, demographics, and average income. Include major geographic features such as mountains, rivers, deserts, and coastline, as well as any key infrastructure like airports or seaports. Highlight details about the local climate, including any mentions of aridity or water challenges. Additionally, summarize the city’s energy production (oil, gas, renewables) and natural resources, and provide information about industries and economic drivers that are crucial to the region.
Answer: Gary, Indiana: Physical and Economic Landscape
Location and Demographics:
- Planning Jurisdiction: Gary, Indiana
- Location: Northwest Indiana, at the intersection of multiple major inter- and intra-state highways and toll roads such as I-80/90, I-80/94, I-65, U.S. 41, U.S. 30, I-90, and US 231. It is within a day's drive to 80% of the US population with easy access to Chicago.
Geographic Features:
- Ecosystems: Gary is home to historic and valuable ecosystems like the dune and swale habitat.
- Wetlands: There are existing wetlands and remnants of dune and swale habitat near the Chicago/Gary Airport.
- Proximity to Water Bodies: The city is in close proximity to the Grand Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
Key Infrastructure:
- Airport: The Chicago/Gary Airport is located in Gary, near environmentally protected lands.
- Transportation Infrastructure: Gary has 67 miles of interstate highways, 54 miles of U.S. and state highways, and over 150 miles of heavy rail mainline.
Local Climate and Environmental Challenges:
- Climate Impacts: Indiana's changing climate includes higher temperatures, longer heat waves, and more extremely hot days. This increases health risks, particularly in urban areas like Gary.
- Urban Heat Islands: Cities like Gary are expected to be vulnerable to heat-related risks, affecting especially those without access to cooling technologies.
Energy Production and Natural Resources:
- Renewable Energy Potential: Northwest Indiana, including Gary, has significant potential for solar and wind energy projects. The region has 25-50% more potential for solar energy development than Germany and substantial potential for wind energy projects.
Economic Drivers and Industries:
- Economic Redevelopment: There is a push for economic redevelopment and revitalization in Gary to reverse trends of declining populations and disinvestment.
- Green Economy Goals: The city aims to establish a Green Economy marrying economic and environmental goals, focusing on renewable energy projects to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
- Job Creation and Investment: Renewable energy projects are seen as potential sources of job creation and attracting investment, with the aim to provide stable and high-paying jobs for local residents.
Economic Challenges:
- Urban Blight and Property Values: Urban blight is a challenge, with property values in Gary being low compared to surrounding areas.
Overall, the plan highlights the potential of Gary, Indiana, to become a major site for renewable energy, leveraging its natural resources and strategic location to foster economic growth and sustainability.
Question: To what extent does the plan address resilience, mitigation, and adaptation? After providing a brief summary of how it addresses each component, classify the plan as a whole as one of the following: mitigation dedicated, adaptation/resilience dedicated, mitigation only climate action plan, mitigation primary climate action plan, equal mitigation and adaptation climate action plan, or sustainable/green plan.
Answer: Resilience:
The plan addresses resilience through strategies to ensure that the lakeshore is resilient to anticipated changes. It emphasizes the importance of creating climate refugia and enhancing biodiversity to promote resilience. The plan states, "the National Park System is developing strategies to ensure that the lakeshore is resilient to anticipated changes by strengthening certain elements" and mentions creating deeper wetlands as a transition action to help ecosystems respond to climate disturbances (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Mitigation:
Mitigation efforts are highlighted through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes targets such as "50 MW of local renewable energy generation by 2030" and a "35% Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction from 2017 baseline by 2030 (Excluding Industrial Sources)" (Gary Climate Action Plan). The plan also discusses the importance of energy-efficient building codes to reduce emissions from buildings, which generate significant GHG emissions.
Adaptation:
Adaptation strategies are evident in the plan's goals to mitigate the urban heat island effect, adapt stormwater management practices, and improve the resilience of regional plants and animals. It includes providing landscape corridors and climate refugia to help species adapt to changing environments (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Classification:
Based on the provided summary, the plan can be classified as an equal mitigation and adaptation climate action plan, as it addresses both mitigation and adaptation strategies in a balanced manner.
Question: Does the plan describe a scenario of climate change the planning jurisdiction will face and for which it is planning climate policies for resilience, mitigation, and adaptation? If so, please summarize any such scenario.
Answer: Yes, the plan describes a scenario of climate change that the Indiana Dunes and surrounding region will face. Key elements of the scenario include:
Increased Temperatures and Precipitation: "The Dunes is projected to have a growing season that is one month longer, hotter summers with 30-45 days above 95 degrees, and wetter winters with 24-36 less days of snow cover." (Gary Climate Action Plan, pg. 39)
Phenological Mismatch: "One important impact is phenological mismatch, or out of sync life cycle associations of organisms... Due to climate change, the triggers for plant’s life cycle events is dependent on soil temperature. But the life cycle events of animals like bird migration are triggered by air temperature changes." (Gary Climate Action Plan, pg. 19)
Changes in Hydrology: "Increased precipitation and decreased snow will result in less ice cover on Lake Michigan. More precipitation will also inundate watersheds and increase runoff and infiltration issues in the Indiana Dunes." (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Impact on Biodiversity: "Longer summers allow invasive species to thrive and take over... Another priority is to ensure that warm-weather plants, which will increase given increasing temperatures, don’t crowd out many of the plants that grow in the Northern forest." (Gary Climate Action Plan, pg. 39)
Industrial Impact: "Regional hydrology and water quality is already stressed by local industry, especially the railroad and steel industry." (Gary Climate Action Plan)
The planning jurisdiction is addressing these challenges through various climate policies for resilience, mitigation, and adaptation.
Question: What climate hazards does the plan identify as presenting climate risks for the planning jurisdiction? For each identified climate hazard, summarize the plan’s description of: 1. The climate hazard. 2. The climate risks it poses to the planning jurisdiction. 3. Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability to the identified climate hazard.Generate a numbered list of every hazard identified in the plan. Make the list as long as necessary to accomodate every single hazard.
Answer: 1. Increased Precipitation
Climate Hazard:
The plan identifies increased precipitation as a climate hazard, projecting "more frequent and intense rain" in Northwest Indiana.Climate Risks:
This increase in precipitation "can overwhelm existing stormwater management systems," leading to "backups, local flooding, and/or greater quantities of contaminants in local waterways like the Little Calumet River and the Grand Calumet River."Vulnerable Areas/Populations:
The plan does not specify particular vulnerable areas or populations for this hazard, but the impacts on local waterways suggest that communities near these rivers may be at risk.
2. Urban Heat Islands
Climate Hazard:
Urban Heat Islands are areas where "cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat."Climate Risks:
This effect "increases energy costs (e.g., for air conditioning), air pollution levels, and heat-related illness and mortality." The Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment projects "higher temperatures, longer heat waves, and more extremely hot days," increasing the likelihood of "injuries and deaths due to extreme heat."Vulnerable Areas/Populations:
The plan highlights that "children, the elderly, members of low-income households and those with pre-existing conditions" are most at risk. Cities like Gary are "especially vulnerable" due to intensified temperature impacts.
3. Increased Temperatures and Heat Waves
Climate Hazard:
The plan notes expected "higher temperatures, longer heat waves, and more extremely hot days" as a climate hazard.Climate Risks:
These conditions are projected to "affect the health of Hoosiers, particularly those without access to cooling technologies," with the potential for "temperature-related deaths in Indiana" to double.Vulnerable Areas/Populations:
Vulnerable populations include "children, the elderly, members of low-income households and those with pre-existing conditions," with urban areas like Gary being particularly at risk due to intensified heat island effects.
4. Habitat Fragmentation
Climate Hazard:
Habitat fragmentation is described as a challenge for climate mitigation strategies in the region due to the landscape being "made up of industrial, natural, and residential areas near each other."Climate Risks:
This fragmentation "reduces the number of wildlife corridors," which are "needed for a resilient environment," posing risks to ecosystem connectivity and biodiversity.Vulnerable Areas/Populations:
The plan does not specify vulnerable populations for this hazard but implies that ecosystems and wildlife reliant on continuous habitats are at risk.
5. Changes in Seasonal Patterns
Climate Hazard:
The plan mentions a projected "earlier start to the spring season" and a longer growing season, with "hotter summers with 30-45 days above 95 degrees, and wetter winters with 24-36 less days of snow cover."Climate Risks:
Longer summers allow "invasive species to thrive and take over," impacting plant diversity. Changes in seasonal patterns also lead to "phenological mismatch," disrupting life cycle associations of organisms.Vulnerable Areas/Populations:
The document suggests that plant species sensitive to these changes, as well as ecosystems dependent on synchronized life cycles, are vulnerable.
Question: What resilience options are identified in the plan? For each option, summarize: 1. The specific climate threat it addresses; 2. Details on cost, timeframe, and location, including any references found in tables, charts, or images that might contain this data; 3. Other important attributes, such as economic, environmental, or infrastructural considerations.
Answer: Resilience Options Identified in the Plan:
Bioswale Ditches and Hybrid Ditches
- Climate Threat Addressed: Improved stormwater management to handle increased precipitation.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: Information on specific costs, timeframe, and locations is not provided.
- Other Important Attributes: These systems collect storm water and channel it to existing ditches, sewers, or water sources, contributing to better water management infrastructure. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 6)
Box Tree Filters
- Climate Threat Addressed: Improved stormwater management to handle increased precipitation.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Box tree filters treat runoff using physical and biological methods, returning cleaner water to storm sewers, thereby improving environmental water quality. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 6)
Permeable Pavement
- Climate Threat Addressed: Improved stormwater management to handle increased precipitation.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Allows rainwater infiltration, reducing surface runoff and the burden on stormwater systems. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 6)
Rain Gardens
- Climate Threat Addressed: Improved stormwater management to handle increased precipitation.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: These are low elevation areas that collect rainwater and drain it slowly into native soil or an underdrain system, enhancing green infrastructure and providing environmental benefits. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 6)
Green Roofs
- Climate Threat Addressed: Improved stormwater management to handle increased precipitation.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Convert impervious surfaces into ones that retain and filter stormwater, offering environmental benefits and potential energy efficiency gains. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 6)
Building Stronger and Higher Flood Walls
- Climate Threat Addressed: Flood protection.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Infrastructure improvement aimed at protecting against flooding events. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 7)
Replanting and Urban Forestry Management
- Climate Threat Addressed: Mitigating urban heat island effect and enhancing resilience to climate change.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Planting trees provides shade, reduces energy use, and enhances environmental quality. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 4)
Develop Messaging Systems
- Climate Threat Addressed: Communicating climate-related threats.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Ensures effective communication of climate threats to visitors, residents, and staff, enhancing community resilience. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 7)
Preserve Floodplains and Wetlands
- Climate Threat Addressed: Stormwater management and flood resilience.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Environmental conservation enhances natural resilience to flooding and stormwater impacts. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 7)
Expand Green Infrastructure Projects
- Climate Threat Addressed: Stormwater management.
- Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location: No specific details provided.
- Other Important Attributes: Enhances resilience to climate change impacts by increasing green spaces and improving stormwater management. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Chapter 7)
The plan emphasizes environmental and infrastructural improvements to build resilience against specific climate threats, although specific cost, timeframe, and location details are often not provided.
Question: What mitigation options does the plan identify? For each identified mitigation option, summarize the information provided in the plan regarding cost, timing, location, and other important attributes.
Answer: Mitigation Options Identified in the Plan:
Deconstruction and Reuse of Building Materials:
- Cost: The market potential for deconstruction projects in Gary is expected to be between $3-7 million.
- Timing: Piloting deconstruction has been a success on a small scale.
- Location: The city has many properties appropriate for deconstruction.
- Attributes: Deconstruction converts materials from demolition waste to resources, creates more jobs than traditional demolition, and faces legal challenges with tax-delinquent properties. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Electrification and Alternative Fuels:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Northwest Indiana, the only part of Indiana not part of the Electric Highway Coalition.
- Attributes: Includes the establishment of a solar/electricity hybrid carport and charging stations, removal of fees penalizing electric vehicle owners, and joining the Electric Highway Coalition. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Urban Forestry for Heat Mitigation:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Areas with poor tree cover in the city.
- Attributes: Planting trees to provide shade and reduce utility costs, act as windbreaks, and mitigate urban heat islands. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: High-priority areas for stormwater management.
- Attributes: Includes bioswale ditches, box tree filters, permeable pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Proximity to the South Shore commuter station and regional/local bus station.
- Attributes: Prioritizes development projects within walkable distance to transit, reducing emissions from vehicular travel. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Railroad Right of Ways and Bike Paths:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Broadway corridor.
- Attributes: Development of bike paths and facilities to utilize railroad right of ways and reduce emissions. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Propane Refueling Sites:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Along I-94.
- Attributes: To make it 'corridor ready' for alternative fuel sources and provide education about alternative fuel vehicles. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
Increased E85 Fueling Stations:
- Cost: Not specified.
- Timing: Not specified.
- Location: Cook County, with over 30 stations.
- Attributes: Ethanol's GHG emission intensity is significantly less than gasoline. (Gary Climate Action Plan)
These mitigation options aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change impacts, focusing on energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Question: What mitigation options does the plan identify? For each identified mitigation option, summarize the information provided in the plan regarding cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes.
Answer: Mitigation Options Identified in the Plan:
Improved Stormwater Management:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Gary and Indiana Dunes Region.
- Attributes: Includes bioswale ditches, box tree filters, permeable pavement, rain gardens, green roofs, and upgraded water infrastructure. These options aim to manage stormwater effectively and are part of the broader Gary Green Infrastructure Plan (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Urban Forestry:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Areas with poor tree cover in Gary.
- Attributes: Involves planting trees to mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and reduce utility costs by providing shade and acting as windbreaks (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Renewable Energy Generation:
- Cost: Potential revenue generation is mentioned, but specific costs are not detailed.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: City buildings in Gary.
- Attributes: Explore local energy generation sources like energy storage or microgrid development, and offsite renewable power sources. This includes integrating solar panels in redevelopment projects (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Alternative Fuel Vehicles:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned but includes incentives for electric vehicles by removing fees.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Gary.
- Attributes: Establish solar/electricity hybrid carports and charging stations. Encourage the use of E85 fuel and explore joining the Electric Highway Coalition to support electric vehicles (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Deconstruction and Building Materials Reuse:
- Cost: The market potential for deconstruction projects is between $3-7 million.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Gary.
- Attributes: Deconstruction offers a sustainable alternative to demolition by converting waste into resources, creating more jobs, and potentially generating revenue through the sale of salvaged materials (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Transit-Oriented Development:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Broadway corridor and areas near transit stations.
- Attributes: Focuses on developing projects and services within walkable distances from transit stations to reduce vehicular emissions and improve accessibility (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Adoption of Complete Streets Policy:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: Gary.
- Attributes: Increase the number of complete streets to accommodate various forms of transportation and improve safety and accessibility for all users (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Green Infrastructure Projects:
- Cost: Not explicitly mentioned.
- Timeframe: Not specified.
- Location: High-priority areas in Gary.
- Attributes: Includes preserving floodplains and wetlands, creating landscape corridors, and expanding green infrastructure to manage stormwater and improve resilience (Gary Climate Action Plan).
Question: What adaptation options does the plan identify? For each identified adaptation option, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. Information provided in the plan regarding cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes.
Answer: Based on the content provided from the document, the following adaptation options are identified along with the corresponding climate threats they address and any additional information provided in the plan:
Messaging Systems for Climate Threats
- Climate Threat: Communicating climate-related threats to visitors, residents, and staff.
- Information: This adaptation option is identified as a key strategy for the entire Indiana Dunes region. It echoes a suggestion for a subscription-based or mobile-based application to send automated notices about relevant climate conditions and warnings. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Landscape Corridors and Climate Refugia
- Climate Threat: Ensuring the resilience of regional plants and animals as they migrate or adapt to changing environments.
- Information: The plan emphasizes the importance of providing landscape corridors and climate refugia to improve resilience. This involves creating habitats that facilitate the movement of species to more suitable environments. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Urban Forestry
- Climate Threat: Mitigating the urban heat island effect and reducing utility costs associated with increased heat impacts.
- Information: This involves planting trees to provide shade, reduce air conditioning use, and act as windbreaks. The first step is to identify areas in the city with poor tree cover. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Improved Stormwater Management
- Climate Threat: Addressing projected increases in precipitation and associated stormwater management challenges.
- Information: Strategies include bioswale ditches, box tree filters, permeable pavement, rain gardens, and green roofs. These measures help collect, treat, and manage stormwater, converting impervious surfaces to more permeable ones. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Reclaiming Vacant Lots as Parks
- Climate Threat: Long-term resilience to climate change impacts.
- Information: This involves using vacant lots for stormwater management and creating green spaces that contribute to resilience. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Preserving Floodplains and Wetlands
- Climate Threat: Managing stormwater and preserving water quality.
- Information: The plan suggests preserving floodplains and wetlands, and/or constructing wetlands in open spaces for effective stormwater management. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Improving Plant and Animal Genetic Diversity
- Climate Threat: Enhancing biodiversity to promote resilience against climate disturbances.
- Information: This strategy aims to improve genetic diversity to enable ecosystems to better cope with climate change impacts. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Developing Messaging Systems
- Climate Threat: Communicating climate-related threats effectively.
- Information: This involves creating systems to communicate with visitors, residents, and staff about relevant climate conditions and threats. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
Water Efficiency and Climate Resiliency Best Practices Guide
- Climate Threat: Enhancing water efficiency and resiliency in response to climate change impacts.
- Information: The plan proposes developing and distributing a guide for improved water efficiency and climate resiliency practices in residential, commercial, and industrial properties. (Source: Gary Climate Action Plan)
The plan does not provide specific information on the cost, timeframe, or location for each adaptation option. However, it emphasizes the importance of these strategies in building resilience and adapting to climate change impacts in the Indiana Dunes region.
Question: What climate policies does the plan identify to advance climate justice? For each climate policy, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. Areas or populations with the most climate vulnerability to the identified climate hazard.
Answer: Climate Policy: Updating Building Codes for Energy Efficiency
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the threat of high energy costs and the urban heat island effect, which is exacerbated by climate change and can lead to increased energy consumption and utility costs for cooling and heating.
Areas or Populations with the Most Climate Vulnerability:
- Low-income households are identified as particularly vulnerable. These households often face a utility bill burden that is significantly higher than other households, forcing them to make difficult choices between basic necessities and energy costs. The plan mentions that "high utility costs are the second leading cause of homelessness in the US," highlighting the vulnerability of these populations to climate-related energy burdens. (Chapter 3: Built Environment)
Climate Policy: Urban Forestry Initiatives
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the urban heat island effect by using urban forestry efforts to mitigate increased heat impacts from climate change.
Areas or Populations with the Most Climate Vulnerability:
- Urban areas, particularly those with low tree cover and high concentrations of low-income residents, are most vulnerable. Planting trees provides shade and reduces temperatures, leading to lower air conditioning usage and utility costs, which benefits low-income communities who are disproportionately affected by these costs. (Chapter 3: Goals)
Climate Policy: Adopting Stronger Building Codes
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the threat of inadequate building safety and energy inefficiency in the face of climate change impacts, such as extreme temperatures.
Areas or Populations with the Most Climate Vulnerability:
- Residents in cities like Gary, where the current building codes are not sufficient to prepare for climate change impacts, are particularly vulnerable. The policy aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households who spend a larger proportion of their income on utilities. (Chapter 3: Built Environment)
Climate Policy: Resilience of Regional Plants and Animals
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the threat to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience due to climate change, which affects species that need to migrate or adapt to warmer environments.
Areas or Populations with the Most Climate Vulnerability:
- Natural habitats that are fragmented and lack wildlife corridors are particularly vulnerable. The policy aims to improve resilience by providing landscape corridors and climate refugia. (Chapter 3: Goals)
Climate Policy: Energy Efficiency and Utility Cost Reduction
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the threat of high utility costs and energy inefficiency, particularly during extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
Areas or Populations with the Most Climate Vulnerability:
- Low-income households, who face a disproportionate burden of utility costs and are forced to choose between essential needs such as heating, cooling, food, and healthcare, are the most vulnerable. The policy aims to reduce these costs and improve living conditions. (Chapter 4: Equity and Resilience)
Question: Identify any potential unforeseen maladaptive climate policies. For each identified climate policy, summarize: 1. The climate threat it is addressing. 2. The resilience, mitigation, or adaptation option that the climate policy proposes. 3. Why it may cause inadvertent maladaption.
Answer: Based on the document provided, here are potential unforeseen maladaptive climate policies:
Urban Forestry as a Mitigation Strategy
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the threat of increased heat impacts due to climate change and the development of urban heat islands.
Resilience, Mitigation, or Adaptation Option Proposed:
- The policy proposes to "plant trees which provide shade where temperatures are cooler" as a way to mitigate the urban heat island effect and reduce the use of air conditioners and associated utility costs. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Urban Forestry)
Why it May Cause Inadvertent Maladaptation:
- While planting trees can reduce temperatures and provide shade, it may inadvertently lead to maladaptation if non-native or inappropriate tree species are planted that do not thrive in the changing climate conditions. This could result in increased maintenance costs, water usage, and potential loss of biodiversity if these trees outcompete native species.
Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses increased precipitation and stormwater runoff issues exacerbated by climate change.
Resilience, Mitigation, or Adaptation Option Proposed:
- The options include "bioswale ditches," "box tree filters," "permeable pavement," "rain gardens," and "green roofs" to manage stormwater. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Strategies for Improved Stormwater Management)
Why it May Cause Inadvertent Maladaptation:
- These green infrastructure solutions may lead to maladaptation if they are not properly maintained or if the chosen plant species for bioswales and rain gardens do not withstand future climate conditions. This could result in infrastructure that fails during extreme weather events, causing increased flooding or water quality issues.
Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Climate Threat Addressed:
- The policy addresses the need to reduce emissions from buildings and lower energy costs for residents, particularly during extreme temperature events.
Resilience, Mitigation, or Adaptation Option Proposed:
- The policy suggests adopting stronger building codes that enforce energy efficiency standards, particularly targeting low-income and multi-family residences. (Gary Climate Action Plan, Built Environment)
Why it May Cause Inadvertent Maladaptation:
- While improving energy efficiency is beneficial, maladaptation may occur if retrofitting buildings leads to increased costs for residents without sufficient financial support, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. Additionally, if retrofits are not suitable for future climate conditions, they may not provide the intended benefits.
Question: In what ways does the plan measure the success or failure of each adaptation, resilience, and mitigation option? List any specific metrics used, such as reductions in CO2 emissions, improvements in air quality, or other quantifiable impacts. Identify the exact units (e.g., tons, percentages, index values) mentioned in the plan for tracking these outcomes. Additionally, outline any concrete goals or targets set for each option, including deadlines or specific numerical objectives.
Answer: Measurement of Success for Adaptation, Resilience, and Mitigation Options:
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reductions:
- The plan establishes a target for the Gary community to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 214,694 MTCO₂e by 2030. This is based on a 2017 baseline of 1,073,472 MTCO₂e, excluding industrial emissions.
- City government operations aim to achieve a 50% emissions reduction from the 2017 baseline by 2030, which is equivalent to a reduction from 93,937 MT CO₂e to an additional 10,000 MT CO₂e beyond the business-as-usual projection.
Renewable Energy Generation:
- A target is set for 50 MW of local renewable energy generation by 2030.
Community-Wide Emissions Reduction:
- There is a goal for a 35% reduction in community GHG emissions from the 2017 baseline by 2030, excluding industrial sources.
City Government Operations Projections:
- Buildings and facilities emissions are projected to decrease by 60% to 7,000 MT CO₂e by 2030.
- Waste and wastewater treatment activities are projected to decrease from 19,462 MT CO₂e to 9,662 MT CO₂e by 2030, a 50% reduction.
Solid Waste:
- The plan indicates that solid waste produced 35,819 MT CO₂e in 2017. This is the largest contributor to municipal GHG emissions, and it is not projected to decline by 2030 unless action is taken.
Air Quality:
- The plan aims to educate residents about the health impacts of poor air quality and provide public health recommendations, with specific adaptation strategies for poor air quality days.
Concrete Goals or Targets:
Reduction Target for Local Government Operations:
- A specific reduction target for municipal operations by 50% by 2030, with an additional goal of reducing emissions by 10,000 MT CO₂e over 10 years beyond the business-as-usual projection.
Built Environment:
- The plan suggests adopting policies such as building codes to improve energy efficiency, with specific actions detailed in the Built Environment Chapter.
Transportation:
- The plan includes strategies to reduce vehicular contribution to air pollution, detailed in the Transportation Chapter.
Natural Environment and Waste Management:
- The plan calls for utilizing green infrastructure and waste management best practices to offset emissions, with further details provided in the Natural Economy and Waste Chapters.
These metrics and goals are designed to track the effectiveness of the city's climate strategies and ensure progress towards achieving its adaptation, resilience, and mitigation objectives.
Question: Generate a table that summarizes the following features from the document: Location/City Name, Population, Threats Identified, Measures Identified
Answer:
| **Feature** | **Details** |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Location/City Name** | City of Gary |
| **Population** | *Not explicitly mentioned in the provided excerpts.* |
| **Threats Identified** | - Urban heat islands due to climate change (Chapter 5: Natural Environment) <br> - Increased temperatures and heatwaves (Chapter 5: Natural Environment) <br> - Crime risk associated with urban blight (Gary Climate Action Plan) |
| **Measures Identified** | - Urban forestry efforts to mitigate urban heat islands (Chapter 5: Natural Environment) <br> - Stormwater management and green infrastructure improvements (Chapter 5: Natural Environment) <br> - Use of EnviroFlash for air quality alerts (Gary Climate Action Plan) |