### 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:** **Planning Jurisdiction:** City of Chicago **Location:** Chicago, Illinois **Population and Demographics:** - The plan does not explicitly provide specific population figures or detailed demographics. However, it mentions the city's rich history of migration and immigration, shaping the character and vibrancy of Chicago's neighborhoods with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. It also highlights disparities that fall along geographic, racial, and socioeconomic lines, affecting public safety, economic opportunity, educational attainment, and transportation access. **Average Income:** - The plan does not specify the average income. However, it does note income disparities as part of the challenges faced by the city. **Major Geographic Features:** - **Lake Michigan:** Chicago is located along Lake Michigan, providing an abundance of fresh water and economic and recreational opportunities. - **The Chicago River:** Historically significant for its reversal in 1900 to protect the city's clean drinking water supply. **Key Infrastructure:** - **Transportation System:** Chicago is a central hub, serving as the intersection of many of the nation's busiest railroads and interstates. - **Airports:** Home to two world-class airports, including O'Hare International Airport, which was named the best-connected airport in the nation. - **Divvy Bikeshare Network:** Over 570 stations and 6,000 bikes, serving 1 million unique riders annually. **Local Climate and Water Challenges:** - Chicago's central location reduces its susceptibility to the effects of climate change and natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels. However, the plan emphasizes the need for infrastructure investments considering extreme weather events like floods, heat waves, and blizzards. **Energy Production and Natural Resources:** - The plan highlights a commitment to power all public buildings using 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. It does not mention specific details about oil or gas production. **Industries and Economic Drivers:** - **Economic Assets:** Home to more than 400 major corporations, recognized as the most promising city for foreign investment in the Americas, and boasting a thriving local business community. - **Urban Economy:** Chicago has one of the most diversified urban economies in the United States, with no single industry employing more than 14 percent of the city's workforce. **Additional Notes:** - The plan discusses strategic investments in neighborhoods historically isolated from the city's economic fortunes, aiming to create thousands of jobs and improve access to economic opportunities. - Chicago's resilience strategy includes significant infrastructure investments, such as Mayor Emanuel’s “Building a New Chicago” initiative, which bolstered park, water, transportation, and school infrastructure. ### 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 outlines a comprehensive approach to building urban resilience through **50 actions** and is structured around three resilience pillars: Strong Neighborhoods, Robust Infrastructure, and Prepared Communities. It aims to connect residents to economic opportunities and enhance quality of life by addressing disconnection issues and emerging threats such as climate change. The plan involves a hazard mitigation planning process to assess risks and develop strategies that incorporate resilience goals and metrics. It highlights existing city efforts in infrastructure, transportation, environment, sustainability, education, and public safety, demonstrating a robust commitment to resilience. The plan also emphasizes **Organization Features** and **Calls to Action** for resident involvement in resilience building. (*Resilient Chicago, Strategy Framework, Action 42*) **Mitigation:** Mitigation efforts in the plan focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving targets consistent with the Paris Agreement. The plan commits to a **26 to 28 percent reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2025** and highlights existing policies such as the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. It includes commitments like powering all public buildings using 100% renewable energy by 2025. The plan outlines potential pathways for further mitigation, including energy efficiency initiatives and vehicle fuel switching, aligning with its membership as a C40 city. (*Case Study Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Report, Pillar 2: Robust Infrastructure*) **Adaptation:** Adaptation is addressed through the development of long-term strategies to reduce the impacts of natural hazards on people, property, and the environment. The plan involves a hazard mitigation planning process to assess risks, establish key goals, and implement specific mitigation projects. It highlights the need for ongoing updates to address changing priorities and emerging risks. The strategy emphasizes building resilience in communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, including senior residents and those living in high-risk areas. (*Action 42, The Path Forward*) **Classification:** The plan can be classified as an **equal mitigation and adaptation climate action plan** as it equally addresses both mitigation (through GHG reduction targets and renewable energy commitments) and adaptation/resilience (through resilience pillars, hazard mitigation planning, and actions targeting vulnerable populations). ### 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:** The document does not explicitly describe a specific scenario of climate change that Chicago will face. However, it does highlight some general threats and challenges related to climate change and resilience. The plan notes: - "Emerging threats such as a changing climate and economy have contributed to the challenges residents face, which include barriers to accessing economic opportunity, limited mobility options, and lack of social cohesion" (Overview). - Chicago's resilience challenges are shaped by "a changing climate and economy" and include "barriers to accessing economic opportunity, limited mobility options, and lack of social cohesion" (Resilient Chicago). While these statements suggest an awareness of climate change impacts, the document does not provide a detailed scenario outlining specific climate change conditions or projections for the future. ### 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. Storms (Extreme Weather Events)** - **Climate Hazard:** The plan identifies storms as one of the top shocks that threaten the city's ability to function. - **Climate Risks:** Storms can result in loss of life, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and have devastating consequences for communities and their well-being. - **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** The plan acknowledges that while all Chicagoans can be impacted by extreme weather events, the most vulnerable residents, including senior residents, people with disabilities, and residents living in high-risk geographic areas, endure a tremendous burden due to inadequate resources or preparedness. **2. Flooding** - **Climate Hazard:** Flooding is listed as one of the top shocks that pose a risk to the city. - **Climate Risks:** Flooding can cause significant property loss, illness, injury, and in the worst cases, death. It also affects the continuity of critical services and can lead to infrastructure failure. - **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** Vulnerable populations include those living in high-risk geographic areas who may have inadequate resources or access to key information and services. **3. Extreme Weather Events (General)** - **Climate Hazard:** The plan broadly refers to extreme weather events as significant hazards. - **Climate Risks:** Such events can weaken the fabric and ability of the city to function over time, causing property loss and health impacts. - **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** Disconnected Chicagoans and vulnerable residents with inadequate resources or access to services face the most risk. **4. Infrastructure Failure** - **Climate Hazard:** Infrastructure failure is mentioned as a top shock threatening the city’s operational capacity. - **Climate Risks:** Failure of infrastructure can disrupt critical services, communication, and mobility, impacting the economic and social stability of the city. - **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** Populations dependent on critical infrastructure for essential services are most at risk, especially those in areas with historically underinvested infrastructure. The plan highlights the need to address these vulnerabilities by improving the city and communities' ability to respond to extreme weather when it strikes, with specific focus on areas most impacted. ### 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:** The plan identifies several resilience options organized into three resilience pillars – Strong Neighborhoods, Robust Infrastructure, and Prepared Communities. Each option is designed to address specific climate threats and other challenges faced by the city. Below is a summary of the resilience options identified in the plan, with details on the specific climate threat addressed, cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes: ### Resilience Options #### 1. **Building a New Chicago** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Infrastructure failure and extreme weather events. - **Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** - Investments in park, water, transportation, and school infrastructure. - Includes projects like CTA enhancements and the Resilient Corridor Project. - **Other Important Attributes:** - *Economic:* Enhances transportation and infrastructure, supporting economic growth. - *Environmental:* Includes stormwater management landscapes. - *Infrastructural:* Reduces basement flooding and modernizes transportation lines. #### 2. **Smart Lighting Program** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Infrastructure failure and energy inefficiency. - **Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** - Plan to replace more than 270,000 public lights with energy-efficient alternatives by 2021. - **Other Important Attributes:** - *Environmental:* Reduces electricity consumption by 50-75%. - *Economic:* Potential cost savings from reduced energy usage. #### 3. **Climate Action Plan** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Climate change and carbon emissions. - **Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** - Development and implementation by 2020 as part of C40 commitments. - **Other Important Attributes:** - *Environmental:* Aims to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement by 2025. - *Infrastructural:* All public buildings to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025. #### 4. **Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Youth Programs** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Social cohesion and educational disparities. - **Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** - Universal pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds by 2021. - Investments in youth mentorship programs. - **Other Important Attributes:** - *Economic:* Provides job training and internship opportunities for youth. - *Social:* Enhances educational access and opportunities. #### 5. **Public Safety Enhancements** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Social instability and violence. - **Details on Cost, Timeframe, and Location:** - Hiring of over 1,000 additional sworn officers through 2018. - Implementation of body-worn cameras for all officers. - **Other Important Attributes:** - *Social:* Increases oversight and transparency in police operations. - *Economic:* Potential reduction in crime-related costs. ### Additional Features - **Key Equity Actions:** These actions are designed to directly address inequities (e.g., racial, economic, geographic) and have the potential for major near-term impacts. - **Flagship Resilience Actions:** Demonstrates notable opportunities to build resilience across multiple areas. ### Calls to Action and Organization Features - **Calls to Action:** Encourages residents to engage in resilience-building activities. - **Organization Features:** Highlights ongoing work by local organizations contributing to urban resilience. The plan emphasizes the need for a financial analysis to determine the feasibility, funding sources, and other necessary financial considerations for these actions. ### 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:** 1. **Smart Lighting Program** - **Summary:** The program aims to replace more than 270,000 public lights to consume 50-75 percent less electricity by 2021. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** By 2021. - **Location:** Citywide. - **Important Attributes:** The program is expected to significantly reduce electricity consumption. 2. **Reduction of Carbon Emissions** - **Summary:** The city aims to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the original Paris Climate Agreement by 2025. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** By 2025. - **Location:** Citywide. - **Important Attributes:** Aligns with international climate agreements. 3. **Renewable Energy for Public Buildings** - **Summary:** All public buildings will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2025. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** By 2025. - **Location:** Public buildings citywide. - **Important Attributes:** Transition to renewable energy sources for public infrastructure. 4. **Green Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy 2.0** - **Summary:** Expansion and implementation of green stormwater infrastructure. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** Ongoing plans and updates. - **Location:** Citywide, with specific pilot areas identified. - **Important Attributes:** Aims to reduce stormwater runoff and urban heat island effects, improve air and water quality, and engage community partners. 5. **Data-Driven Green Infrastructure Investments** - **Summary:** Investments are based on key datasets to identify areas with the greatest need for stormwater management measures. - **Cost:** Not specified. - **Timing:** Ongoing. - **Location:** Specific community areas including Austin, Calumet Heights, Auburn Gresham, and Englewood. - **Important Attributes:** Focus on reducing economic damage from flooding and increasing green space. The plan emphasizes integrating resilience and equity impacts into these mitigation strategies, seeking to reduce GHG emissions and promote renewable energy, while engaging community stakeholders and ensuring equitable access to benefits. ### 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:** 1. **Smart Lighting Program** - **Summary:** The program aims to replace more than 270,000 public lights with lights that consume 50-75 percent less electricity. - **Cost:** Not explicitly mentioned. - **Timeframe:** Completion by 2021. - **Location:** Citywide. - **Other Attributes:** Part of the city's efforts to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. (_Environment and Sustainability_) 2. **100% Renewable Energy for Public Buildings** - **Summary:** All public buildings will be powered by 100% renewable energy sources. - **Cost:** Not explicitly mentioned. - **Timeframe:** By 2025. - **Location:** Citywide. - **Other Attributes:** Aligned with the original Paris Climate Agreement goals to reduce carbon emissions. (_Environment and Sustainability_) 3. **Reduction of Carbon Emissions** - **Summary:** Reduction of carbon emissions in accordance with the original Paris Climate Agreement. - **Cost:** Not explicitly mentioned. - **Timeframe:** By 2025. - **Location:** Citywide. - **Other Attributes:** Part of the city's commitment as a C40 member city to develop and implement a climate action plan. (_Environment and Sustainability_) 4. **Data-Driven Green Infrastructure Investments** - **Summary:** Investments in green infrastructure projects to reduce stormwater runoff and improve air and water quality. - **Cost:** Dollar value of property damage reduced and financial losses minimized are key indicators. - **Timeframe:** Ongoing. - **Location:** Targeted in community areas like Austin, Calumet Heights, Auburn Gresham, and Englewood. - **Other Attributes:** Involves detailed hydraulic modeling and aims to reduce flood incidents and urban heat island effects. (_Action 24_) These mitigation options are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability across the city. The plan emphasizes the integration of resilience and equity impacts in these initiatives. ### 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:** **Adaptation Options Identified in the Plan:** 1. **Conduct a Citywide Downspout Disconnection Campaign** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This action addresses the threat of urban flooding due to heavy rainfall and inadequate stormwater management systems. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** The action is categorized under Pillar 2, Goal 2, indicating a focus on increasing investment in green infrastructure to reduce flood risk and create more sustainable neighborhoods. However, the specific timeframe is not detailed in the provided text. - **Other Important Attributes:** The action is part of a broader strategy to implement smart approaches to stormwater management to reduce flood risks while enhancing neighborhood sustainability. (Referenced in the document under "Action 19") 2. **Implement and Expand Space to Grow** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** This action is aimed at managing stormwater and addressing flood risk. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** No specific timeframe is provided in the excerpt. - **Other Important Attributes:** Part of a larger strategy to enhance green infrastructure and reduce flood risks, contributing to the creation of more livable and sustainable neighborhoods. (Referenced under "Action 20") 3. **Execute the Our Great Rivers Chicago Vision** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Targets the threats related to riverine flooding and water resource management. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** Not specified in the provided excerpt. - **Other Important Attributes:** This is linked to the broader goal of increasing investment in green infrastructure to manage flood risks, thereby contributing to sustainable neighborhood development. (Referenced in "Action 21") 4. **Establish a Stormwater Trading Program** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Aims at mitigating flood risks by improving stormwater management. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** The document does not provide a specific timeframe. - **Other Important Attributes:** This action is part of efforts to adopt innovative policies for stormwater management to reduce flood risks and enhance neighborhood livability and sustainability. (Referenced in "Action 22") 5. **Create a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy 2.0** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Addresses urban flooding and stormwater management challenges. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** Details on the timeframe are not included in the excerpt. - **Other Important Attributes:** The strategy is a continuation of efforts to enhance green infrastructure, focusing on reducing flood risks and contributing to sustainable urban development. (Referenced under "Action 23") 6. **Make Data-Driven Green Infrastructure Investments** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Focuses on addressing flood risks through strategic infrastructure investments. - **Attributes:** - **Timeframe:** The document does not specify a timeframe. - **Other Important Attributes:** Emphasizes the use of data to guide investments in green infrastructure, aiming to reduce flood risks and create more sustainable neighborhoods. (Referenced in "Action 24") ### 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:** The plan outlines several climate policies aimed at advancing climate justice. Below are the summaries for each policy, including the climate threat it addresses and the areas or populations most vulnerable: 1. **Urban Heat Response Pilot Project** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Extreme heat events. - **Vulnerable Populations:** The policy specifically targets "heat-vulnerable populations, e.g. senior residents, youth, outside workers, people with disabilities, and those with chronic medical conditions." (*Equity Impacts*) 2. **Apply a Resilience Lens to Hazard Mitigation Planning** - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Hazards and natural disasters. - **Vulnerable Populations:** This policy is aimed at "residents most vulnerable to the negative impacts of hazards and natural disasters, including senior residents, people with disabilities, and residents living in high-risk geographic areas." (*Action 42*) These policies focus on reducing vulnerabilities and improving resilience among the most impacted and disadvantaged communities in Chicago. ### 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:** The document does not explicitly identify any potential unforeseen maladaptive climate policies. Therefore, based strictly on the content provided, no specific climate policies are noted as potentially causing inadvertent maladaptation. ### 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:** The plan outlines several metrics and potential indicators for measuring the success or failure of adaptation, resilience, and mitigation options. Here are the specific metrics and goals mentioned: ### **Adaptation and Resilience Metrics** - **Green Infrastructure:** - *Metrics:* - "Number of new green infrastructure projects constructed within Chicago" - "Volume of stormwater runoff reduced through the strategy" - "Reduction in flood incidents and basement flood reports" - "Dollar value of property damage or other financial losses reduced" - "Improvements in air and water quality" - "Reductions in urban heat island effects" - "Number of community stewards, groups, and other key partners engaged" (Resilient Chicago, Section 89) - **Stormwater Preparedness:** - *Metrics:* - "Number of residents educated on stormwater preparedness and planning" - "Number of volunteers trained to implement green infrastructure projects" - "Number of community green infrastructure projects completed" - "Increase in overall stormwater detention volume, in number of gallons" - "Decrease in number of basement flood reports" (Resilient Chicago, Section 123) - **Riverfront Development:** - *Metrics:* - "Acres of additional riverfront parks and preserves by 2030" - "Miles of continuous riverfront trail built throughout the river system by 2030" - "Improvements in water quality" - "Reductions in urban heat island effects" - "Number of activities held along the river" - "Number of sustainable jobs and businesses within riverfront industrial corridors" (Resilient Chicago, Section 84) ### **Mitigation Metrics** - **Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:** - *Metrics:* - "Reduction in city GHG emissions" - "Reduction of overall carbon footprint of public and private buildings" - "Increase in rates of adoption of renewable energy" - "Dollar value of new investments in clean transportation and infrastructure" - "Amount of climate-focused legislation passed" (Resilient Chicago, Section 102) - **Clean Energy and Transportation:** - *Metrics:* - "Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions" - "Dollar value in energy cost savings" - "Number of solar project subscribers, particularly low- to moderate-income customers" - "Number of jobs in clean energy sector within Chicago" (Resilient Chicago, Section 112) - **Mobility Options:** - *Metrics:* - "Divvy and D4E ridership levels in expanded coverage areas" - "Increase in job accessibility for residents in expanded coverage areas" - "Reduction in commute times for residents in expanded coverage areas" - "Reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT)" - "Improvements in air quality" (Resilient Chicago, Section 93) ### **Concrete Goals and Targets** - **GHG Emissions Reduction:** - A commitment to a "26 to 28 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2005 levels by 2025" (Resilient Chicago, Section 102) - **Vision Zero Objectives:** - "Number of traffic-related fatalities (progress towards Vision Zero objectives)" (Resilient Chicago, Section 77) These metrics and goals provide a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the city's climate initiatives, focusing on both quantitative outcomes and specific targets within designated time frames. ### Question: Generate a table that summarizes the following features from the document: Location/City Name, Population, Threats Identified, Measures Identified **Answer:** ```markdown | Feature | Details | |---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Location/City Name** | Chicago | | **Population** | Not specified in the document | | **Threats Identified** | - Storms (Extreme Weather Events) | | | - Economic Crash | | | - Flooding | | | - Infrastructure Failure | | **Measures Identified** | - Building a New Chicago investments in infrastructure | | | - CTA enhancements | | | - Development and implementation of a climate action plan | | | - Smart Lighting Program | | | - Reduction of carbon emissions | | | - All public buildings powered by 100% renewable energy sources by 2025 | | | - Universal pre-kindergarten | | | - Chicago STAR Scholarship | | | - One Summer Chicago Program | | | - Hiring additional sworn officers | | | - Increased field and de-escalation training for officers | | | - Body worn cameras for all officers | ```