### 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 Gary**

- **Location:** The City of Gary is located in northwest Indiana, within the United States.
- **Population:** The population of Gary declined from 75,486 to 69,739 between 2020 and 2021, marking a 7.61% decrease.
- **Demographics:** 
  - 78% of residents identify as Black or African American (Non-Hispanic).
  - 10% identify as white (Non-Hispanic).
  - 32.2% of residents are in poverty according to the United States Census.
  - Disadvantaged populations include low-income neighborhoods, non-English speakers, people with disabilities, and people without health care.
  
**Geographic Features:**

- **Coastline:** Gary has 13 miles of coastline, with 3.5 miles comprising publicly accessible beachfront along Lake Michigan, representing nearly 16% of the regional total (over 22 miles).
- **Ecosystem:** Gary lies within the Indiana Dunes ecosystem and is home to areas like Miller Woods/Green Heron Pond/Bayless Dune, the Clark & Pine Nature Preserve, and the Ivanhoe Nature Preserve.

**Key Infrastructure:**

- **Airports:** Key infrastructure includes the Gary/Chicago International Airport.
- **Educational Institutions:** Indiana University Northwest is an important anchor institution.
  
**Local Climate:**

- The city already experiences the impacts of climate change such as more extreme heat, storms, and flooding.
- Air quality is generally considered poor, with the region being placed in the top 25 most polluted areas by the American Lung Association's 2018 State of the Air report.

**Energy Production and Natural Resources:**

- Gary plans to generate 50 MW of renewable energy by 2030 and aims to reduce local government operations emissions by 50%.
  
**Industries and Economic Drivers:**

- The largest employment sector is manufacturing, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities.
- U.S. Steel/Gary Works is the largest employer in the city. Despite the decline of the steel industry, Gary Works remains a significant employment center.
- Light manufacturing, including plastics, paper products, rubber, and chemicals, are integral parts of the economy.
- The tourism sector has grown, with attractions like the Michael Jackson Family Home and entertainment venues at Buffington Harbor.
- The Gary Regional Airport is a major Midwest cargo carrier, and the city hosts six truck terminals serving more than 100 trucking firms.

### 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 emphasizes building resilience by preparing the community to withstand and recover from climate impacts. It includes strategies that enhance community emergency preparedness, improve stormwater infrastructure, and increase the resilience of residential and commercial sectors. For example, the plan outlines actions such as creating an inventory of vulnerable roads, implementing green infrastructure, and retrofitting older buildings. It states, "A more resilient community will be better able to withstand and bounce back from extreme events, such as more intense heat waves, bigger storms, flooding, and drought" (Introduction 10).

**Mitigation:**  
The plan includes specific strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This includes increasing solar adoption, improving energy efficiency, and supporting green jobs. The City of Gary has set aggressive targets, such as generating 50 MW of renewable energy and reducing local government operations emissions by 50% by 2030 (Introduction 10). The plan also highlights the importance of "reducing our emissions through individual and collective action" (Introduction 11).

**Adaptation:**  
Adaptation measures are integral to the plan, focusing on adjusting systems to cope with climate change impacts. The plan prioritizes actions like updating land use plans, evaluating health services for extreme temperature events, and expanding the local tree canopy to provide shade and reduce heat absorption. It is noted that "Effective strategies and actions will address climate vulnerabilities by either reducing the potential impact or increasing the adaptive capacity" (Strategies to Prepare for Change 26).

**Classification:**  
Considering that the plan extensively covers resilience, mitigation, and adaptation, while heavily emphasizing resilience and adaptation measures, it can be classified as an **adaptation/resilience dedicated** plan.

### 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 various scenarios of climate change that the City of Gary will face and for which it is planning climate policies for resilience, mitigation, and adaptation. Here is a summary of the scenarios:

- The City of Gary is experiencing **"more extreme heat, storms, and flooding"** as a result of climate change. The Department of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs is taking action to protect both current and future generations from these impacts. (*Executive Summary*)

- The plan acknowledges that **"climate change is leading to changes in weather patterns, resulting in more frequent and severe extreme weather events."** This includes increased risks of flooding due to more intense rainfall events and stronger storms fueled by warmer oceans. Additionally, the frequency of wildfires is expected to rise due to drier conditions. (*Community Readiness*)

- The City of Gary's climate action plan aims to **"reduce local government operations emissions by 50%"** and **"generate 50 MW of renewable energy"** by 2030. The plan also seeks a reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions from the 2017 baseline by 2030. (*Introduction*)

These scenarios reflect the challenges posed by climate change, such as extreme weather events and greenhouse gas emissions, and outline the city's strategic plan to build resilience, reduce emissions, and adapt to future conditions.

### 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. Severe Heat**

- **Climate Hazard:** "There could be 32-57 more days/year above 90° F." (Climate Ready Gary Climate Change Vulnerabilities 23)
- **Climate Risks:** The plan does not provide specific risks associated with severe heat beyond increased frequency of extreme temperature events resulting in risks such as "risk to outdoor culture," "risk to first responders, outdoor workers, and service industries," and "risk to unhoused population." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** "Risk to outdoor culture due to extreme heat and cold events," "risk to first responders, outdoor workers, and service industries," and "risk to unhoused population due to increased frequency of extreme temperatures." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)

**2. Larger Storms**

- **Climate Hazard:** "The amount of precipitation in the largest storms could increase 5-30%." (Climate Ready Gary Climate Change Vulnerabilities 23)
- **Climate Risks:** "Increased risk of property damage due to extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding events," "damaged stormwater infrastructure due to increased precipitation," and "continued transportation disruption due to extreme weather events and damaged/aging infrastructure." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** "Greater risk of property damage due to extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding events," "damaged stormwater infrastructure due to increased precipitation," and "transportation disruption due to extreme weather events." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)

**3. Extreme Cold**

- **Climate Hazard:** "Even as average temperatures rise, Gary still experiences days below 32°F." (Climate Ready Gary Climate Change Vulnerabilities 23)
- **Climate Risks:** The plan does not explicitly outline specific risks associated with extreme cold beyond potential impacts on infrastructure and service industries.
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** "Risk to first responders, outdoor workers, and service industries due to increased frequency of extreme temperatures." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)

**4. Flooding**

- **Climate Hazard:** "More homes and businesses at risk of flooding." (Climate Ready Gary Climate Change Vulnerabilities 23)
- **Climate Risks:** "Decline in water quality due to increased flooding events," "damaged stormwater infrastructure due to increased precipitation," and "greater risk of property damage due to extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding events." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** "Decline in water quality due to increased flooding events," "risk to unhoused population due to increased frequency of extreme temperatures," and "greater risk of property damage due to extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding events." (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies 106)

### 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

#### 1. **Create a more resilient built environment**
- **Climate Threat Addressed:** 
  - Addresses Risks: 1 (Higher cost of doing business), 7 (Urban heat island effect), 10 (Greater risk of property damage), 11 (Accelerated degradation of abandoned/vacant buildings), 13 (Increased cost of residential energy).
- **Details:**
  - **Cost:** High ($$$)
  - **Timeframe and Location:** Not specifically detailed in terms of timeframe and location.
- **Attributes:**
  - Involves retrofitting older buildings and requiring higher standards for new construction projects.  
  - Promotes resilience through "resilient landscaping practices for new and existing buildings."  
  - Economic considerations include reducing long-term operational costs by increasing building resilience.

#### 2. **Improve community emergency preparedness (emphasis on at-risk neighborhoods)**
- **Climate Threat Addressed:** 
  - Addresses Risks: 2 (Overburdened healthcare system), 15 (Risk to first responders and outdoor workers).
- **Details:**
  - **Cost:** Medium ($) for updating Emergency Preparedness Plan; Medium ($) for publishing a Homeowner’s Guide.
  - **Timeframe and Location:** Not specifically detailed in terms of timeframe and location.
- **Attributes:**
  - Enhances preparedness through educational initiatives like publishing a Homeowner’s Guide.
  - Engages community stakeholders including police, fire departments, and the Red Cross.

#### 3. **Prevent or mitigate flood damage**
- **Climate Threat Addressed:** 
  - Addresses Risks: 4 (Decline in water quality), 6 (Degradation of aquatic systems), 8 (Transportation disruption), 10 (Greater risk of property damage), 11 (Accelerated degradation of abandoned/vacant buildings), 16 (Potential electrical outages), 18 (Damaged roads).
- **Details:**
  - **Cost:** Low ($) for identifying and prioritizing floodprone areas; Low ($) for educating homeowners on flood protocols; Medium ($$) for encouraging flood mitigation practices.
  - **Timeframe and Location:** Not specifically detailed in terms of timeframe and location.
- **Attributes:**
  - Involves educational outreach to homeowners and community groups.
  - Encourages community-based flood mitigation practices, potentially reducing long-term infrastructure repair costs.

#### 4. **Improve effectiveness of city’s grey infrastructure**
- **Climate Threat Addressed:** 
  - Addresses Risks: 4 (Decline in water quality), 6 (Degradation of aquatic systems), 12 (Damaged stormwater infrastructure).
- **Details:**
  - **Cost:** Low ($) for assessing existing wastewater and stormwater management systems; High ($$$) for continuing the development and implementation of Gary’s Long Term Control Plan.
  - **Timeframe and Location:** Not specifically detailed in terms of timeframe and location.
- **Attributes:**
  - Focuses on infrastructure improvements to handle increased precipitation and associated risks.
  - Aligns with goals for sustainable water management and environmental protection.

#### 5. **Expand city’s green infrastructure**
- **Climate Threat Addressed:** 
  - Addresses Risks: 4 (Decline in water quality), 6 (Degradation of aquatic systems), 10 (Greater risk of property damage), 11 (Accelerated degradation of abandoned/vacant buildings), 12 (Damaged stormwater infrastructure), 17 (Threats to native biodiversity).
- **Details:**
  - **Cost:** High ($$$)
  - **Timeframe and Location:** Not specifically detailed in terms of timeframe and location.
- **Attributes:**
  - Involves implementing the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan.
  - Supports environmental health through increased biodiversity and improved stormwater management.

These resilience options are part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the City's ability to withstand and adapt to various climate-related threats, emphasizing economic, environmental, and infrastructural considerations as key components of the strategies.

### 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:**
The plan identifies several mitigation options. Here are the summarized details provided in the plan for each identified mitigation option:

1. **Increase Solar Adoption**
   - **Cost:** Not directly specified, but includes setting aside funding for vulnerable communities.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** Community-wide with a focus on vulnerable communities.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include connecting with local leaders to raise awareness and setting aside solar funding and implementation assistance for vulnerable communities. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

2. **Improve Energy Efficiency of Existing Buildings**
   - **Cost:** Not specified.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** Not specified.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include creating and publishing an inventory of existing programs that support energy efficiency efforts and offering support for program implementation. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

3. **Increase Use of Green Infrastructure**
   - **Cost:** High effectiveness and high cost for some actions.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City-wide with a focus on low-income areas.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include implementing the existing green infrastructure plan and incentivizing the creation of green infrastructure in low-income areas. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

4. **Reduce Heat Absorption in Most Concentrated Areas**
   - **Cost:** Not specified.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** Most concentrated urban areas.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include passing ordinances supporting green building upgrades and expanding tree canopy. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

5. **Increase Resilience in Local Power Distribution**
   - **Cost:** High cost for installing underground electrical wiring.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City-wide.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include installing underground electrical wiring and improving vegetation management near power lines. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

6. **Replace and Upgrade Roads**
   - **Cost:** High cost for targeted road and alley upgrades.
   - **Timing:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** Vulnerable roads and alleys.
   - **Other Attributes:** Actions include creating an inventory of vulnerable roads and establishing a program to complete targeted road upgrades. (*Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies*)

Each of these options is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the overall resilience of the community to climate impacts.

### 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:**
The plan identifies the following mitigation options:

1. **Increase Solar Adoption**
   - **Actions:** 
     - "Connect with local leaders to raise awareness of community solar."
     - "Set aside solar funding & implementation assistance for vulnerable communities."
   - **Cost:** Not specified.
   - **Timeframe:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** Not specified, but focuses on vulnerable communities.
   - **Attributes:** Emphasis on community engagement and equity in solar energy access.

2. **Improve Energy Efficiency of Existing Buildings**
   - **Actions:** 
     - "Create & publish an inventory of existing programs that support energy efficiency efforts."
     - "Offer support for program implementation."
   - **Cost:** 
     - Publishing inventory: Low.
     - Support for implementation: Medium.
   - **Timeframe:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City of Gary.
   - **Attributes:** Collaboration with state & federal programs, NWICA, contractors, public & private partners.

3. **Expand City's Green Infrastructure**
   - **Actions:** 
     - "Implement City’s Green Infrastructure Plan."
     - "Incentivize the creation of green infrastructure in low-income areas."
   - **Cost:** 
     - Implementation: High.
     - Incentivizing: Medium.
   - **Timeframe:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City of Gary, with a focus on low-income areas.
   - **Attributes:** High effectiveness in addressing multiple risks (4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 17). Collaboration with property owners, residents, and community partners.

4. **Replace and Upgrade Roads**
   - **Actions:** 
     - "Create an inventory of vulnerable roads and alleys."
     - "Establish a program to complete targeted road and alley upgrades."
   - **Cost:** 
     - Inventory creation: Low.
     - Upgrades: High.
   - **Timeframe:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City of Gary.
   - **Attributes:** Addresses risks (8, 18). Involves collaboration with NIRPC, INDOT.

5. **Increase Resilience in Local Power Distribution**
   - **Actions:** 
     - "Install underground electrical wiring."
     - "Improve vegetation management near power lines."
   - **Cost:** 
     - Underground wiring: High.
     - Vegetation management: Medium.
   - **Timeframe:** Not specified.
   - **Location:** City of Gary.
   - **Attributes:** High effectiveness in addressing risk (16). Collaboration with utility companies, contractors, property owners.

These mitigation options focus on improving infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and enhancing resilience in the face of climate challenges. Specific costs and timeframes are often not detailed, but the emphasis is on strategic collaboration and targeting vulnerable communities.

### 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:**
The plan identifies several adaptation options, each addressing specific climate threats. Below is a summary of the identified adaptation options, including the climate threat they address and any information provided regarding cost, timeframe, location, and other important attributes:

1. **Acquire urban spaces to restore native vegetation**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Degradation of natural systems.
   - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

2. **Improve wastewater & stormwater treatment**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Pollution and flooding due to increased precipitation.
   - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

3. **Separate storm and wastewater infrastructure**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Risk of hazardous material exposure from flooding.
   - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

4. **Increase solar adoption**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Higher residential energy costs and energy demand.
   - **Attributes:** Includes connecting with local leaders and setting aside funds for vulnerable communities. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

5. **Improve energy efficiency of existing buildings**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Increased residential energy costs.
   - **Attributes:** Includes creating an inventory of existing programs. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

6. **Assess & upgrade stormwater management system**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Damaged stormwater infrastructure from increased precipitation.
   - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

7. **Incentivize creation of green infrastructure in low-income areas**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Urban heat island effect and stormwater issues.
   - **Attributes:** No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

8. **Increase use of green infrastructure**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Urban heat island effect and stormwater issues.
   - **Attributes:** Implement existing green infrastructure plan. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

9. **Replace and upgrade roads**
   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Damaged roads due to extreme weather events.
   - **Attributes:** Involves creating an inventory of vulnerable roads. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

10. **Increase resiliency in residential & commercial sectors**
    - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Property damage from extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding.
    - **Attributes:** Includes retrofitting older buildings and planting food forests. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

11. **Reduce heat absorption in concentrated areas**
    - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Urban heat island effect.
    - **Attributes:** Passing ordinances for green building upgrades and expanding tree canopy. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

12. **Improve community emergency preparedness**
    - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Risk to residents from extreme temperatures and weather events.
    - **Attributes:** Includes providing solar-powered generators and educating the public. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

13. **Develop alternative plans for outdoor events**
    - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Risk to outdoor culture from extreme heat and cold.
    - **Attributes:** Preparing local parks for hot weather. No specific cost, timeframe, or location details provided.

The plan provides a broad outline of adaptation options, but specific details regarding cost, timeframe, and location are not provided in the document excerpts.

### 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 identifies several climate policies aimed at advancing climate justice by addressing various climate threats and vulnerabilities. Here is a summary of those policies:

### **1. Improve community emergency preparedness with an emphasis on at-risk neighborhoods**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** This policy addresses the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires, which are exacerbated by climate change due to changes in weather patterns and increased evaporation rates leading to more intense rainfall and storms.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** This policy specifically targets at-risk neighborhoods that are more susceptible to these extreme weather events. These areas are often characterized by existing vulnerabilities such as aging infrastructure and socio-economic challenges.

### **2. Increase solar adoption**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** The policy aims to mitigate climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy sources, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** The plan sets aside solar funding and implementation assistance specifically for vulnerable communities, which may include lower-income areas that face higher energy costs and have less access to renewable energy technologies.

### **3. Improve stormwater (grey) infrastructure**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** This policy addresses issues related to increased precipitation and stormwater management, which are exacerbated by climate change and can lead to flooding and exposure to hazardous materials.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** The policy incentivizes the creation of green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and tree planting, particularly in low-income areas that are more likely to experience infrastructure deficiencies and greater exposure to climate impacts.

### **4. Retrofit older buildings & require higher standards for new construction projects**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** This policy addresses the effects of extreme weather events and aging infrastructure, which are exacerbated by climate change and can lead to increased property damage and energy costs.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** The focus is on retrofitting older buildings and establishing higher standards for new construction to enhance resilience, particularly benefiting populations living in older, less resilient housing stock.

### **5. Reduce heat absorption in most concentrated areas**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** This policy addresses the urban heat island effect, which is intensified by climate change and leads to higher temperatures in urban areas.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** The strategy involves expanding tree canopy and diversifying species in areas with high concentrations of heat-absorbing buildings and impervious surfaces, which are often in densely populated urban neighborhoods.

### **6. Advancing Climate Equity**

- **Climate Threat Addressed:** This overarching policy addresses the broader impacts of climate change that exacerbate social, political, and economic inequities, resulting in disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations.
  
- **Vulnerable Areas/Populations:** It focuses on historically disadvantaged and/or marginalized groups, including those disadvantaged due to lower income, race, language, gender, LGBTQ+ status, mobility, disability, housing status, health condition, and age. The policy emphasizes empowering these communities and prioritizing investments to support those most at risk.

**Citations:**  
- "Appendix 3: Climate Vulnerability Assessment"  
- "Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies"  
- "Advancing Climate Equity"  
- "Strategies to Prepare for Change"

### 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:**
1. **Policy: Improve stormwater (grey) infrastructure**

   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Increased precipitation leading to stormwater infrastructure damage, collapse, flooding, and potential exposure to hazardous materials. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Option Proposed:** Assess and upgrade the existing stormwater management system. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Potential Maladaptation:** Upgrading grey infrastructure without considering green infrastructure alternatives may lead to increased runoff, reduced groundwater recharge, and potentially exacerbate flooding downstream. This can inadvertently increase vulnerability to flooding and affect water quality.

2. **Policy: Increase solar adoption**

   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** General need for renewable energy sources to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and decrease GHG emissions.
   - **Option Proposed:** Set aside solar funding and implementation assistance for vulnerable communities. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Potential Maladaptation:** If implemented without proper planning, solar installations could lead to land use changes that affect biodiversity and natural habitats. Improper siting could also reduce land available for other critical uses, such as agriculture or conservation, inadvertently increasing vulnerability in other areas.

3. **Policy: Replace and upgrade roads**

   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Damaged roads due to extreme weather events like extreme cold, heat waves, and flooding. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Option Proposed:** Establish and launch a program to complete targeted road upgrades. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Potential Maladaptation:** Road upgrades might prioritize vehicle traffic over sustainable transport options, leading to increased emissions and reduced urban green spaces. This could inadvertently affect air quality and exacerbate urban heat island effects, increasing climate vulnerability.

4. **Policy: Create a fire protection plan to reduce risk of wildfire**

   - **Climate Threat Addressed:** Wildfires exacerbated by extreme heat and drought conditions. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Option Proposed:** Perform prescribed burns and educate residents on fire safety. (Appendix 5: Climate Resilience Strategies)
   - **Potential Maladaptation:** Prescribed burns, if not carefully managed, could lead to uncontrolled wildfires, air quality issues, and habitat destruction. Additionally, an overemphasis on fire suppression might lead to fuel accumulation, increasing wildfire risks in the long term.

### 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 the following ways to measure the success or failure of adaptation, resilience, and mitigation options:

- **Implementation and Evaluation:**
  - The Implementation Task Force will use the information from the Vulnerability Assessment and Strategy Development workshops to build the evaluation framework and identify thresholds where corrective action may need to be taken. The Task Force will identify what to measure for each action and what defines success. They will also identify whether existing data collection efforts may be used and opportunities for community members to participate in data gathering. (*Implementation and Evaluation*)

- **Evaluation Metrics:**
  - For the strategy of expanding the city's green infrastructure, the evaluation metrics include:
    - Number of CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) occurrences.
    - Number of completed Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs).
    - Percentage of completed proposals. (*Strategies to Prepare for Change*)

However, specific units or detailed numerical objectives are not explicitly mentioned in the excerpts provided. The plan does emphasize the importance of setting indicators and metrics for evaluating success but does not detail concrete goals, targets, or units for tracking outcomes in the provided sections.

### 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** | City of Gary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| **Population**       | - 2020: 75,486<br>- 2021: 69,739 (7.61% decrease)                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| **Threats Identified** | - Higher cost of doing business due to rising energy and insurance costs<br> - Overburdened healthcare system due to increasing mental and physical health challenges<br> - Worsening food insecurity due to disturbances in food production and supply chains<br> - Decline in water quality due to increased flooding events<br> - Increased risk of adverse health conditions due to air pollution<br> - Urban heat island effect from heat-absorbing buildings<br> - Continued transportation disruption due to extreme weather events<br> - Risk to unhoused population due to extreme temperatures<br> - Greater risk of property damage due to extreme precipitation, storms, and flooding events<br> - Damaged stormwater infrastructure due to increased precipitation<br> - Increased cost of residential energy<br> - Risk to outdoor culture due to extreme heat and cold events<br> - Risk to first responders, outdoor workers, and service industries<br> - Potential electrical outages due to extreme weather events<br> - Threats to native biodiversity<br> - Damaged roads due to extreme weather events<br> - Threats to urban tree canopy<br> - Loss of connectivity of natural areas<br> - Reduced carbon storage due to wildfires, extreme heat, and drought |
| **Measures Identified** | - Address illegal dumping through city’s Illegal Dumping Taskforce<br> - Conduct air quality health impact study<br> - Increase the number of farmers markets<br> - Evaluate health services for extreme temperature events<br> - Update the Gary Urban Forest Management Plan<br> - Educate residents and municipal employees on wildfire/fire safety<br> - Establish a community working group for land use planning<br> - Launch an educational campaign for solar energy<br> - Assess existing stormwater and wastewater management system<br> - Continue development of Gary's Long Term Control Plan |
```