Weekly Program: "Let's Prepare for Our New Climate"

 
As Vicki Arroyo says, it's time to prepare our homes and cities for our changing climate, with its increased risk of flooding, drought and uncertainty. She illustrates this inspiring talk with bold projects from cities all over the world — local examples of thinking ahead.

Why you should listen

The climate is quickly changing. Scientists increasingly talk of a new period in the Earth's history, the "anthropocene", in which human impact on the planet has become dominant. Yet we remain unprepared to deal with the consequences: specifically, the disruption and cost. Lawyer Vicki Arroyo, the executive director of the Georgetown Climate Center, works on climate mitigation and adaptation policies as viable solutions to climate change’s inevitable disruptions to current practices. Using the best available science, Arroyo collaborates with US policymakers at both the state and federal level to develop "planetary management" strategies.

This talk seems relevant to our members residing in the Houston - Rosenberg area with extreme flooding in recent weeks. 

The April 18, 2016 flood event - An estimated 140 billion gallons of water rained over the Cypress Creek, Spring Creek, and Adicks watersheds in just 14 hours ending at 10 a.m. CT, April 18, 2016, according to Jeff Lindner, meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District. Freeways, homes and buildings were flooded, trapping vehicles and triggering gridlock. 

And again in late May, 2016 (Memorial Day Flood Event) the rains were excessive and created unusual difficulties, particularly with the Brazos River (shown in video below).  City officials estimate that at least 70 homes in Rosenberg were damaged in the flooding from the Brazos River. They acknowledge that cleaning up debris is going to be a meticulous task that takes time. Only three days ago the mandatory evacuation was lifted so residents could begin the clean-up operation.  See the following article for the Rotary response and planned clean-up on June 25th.