The recommendations focus on 1) property and crop insurance; 2) federal disaster aid; 3) federally owned or managed infrastructure; and 4) technical assistance to state and local governments. The technical assistance would apply to infrastructure projects that are planned at the state and local levels but have significant federal funding.

A re-insurance group found that 41 out of 261 weather-related events caused over $1 billion in damage each. Flooding accounted for many of the disasters, as well as the costliest. Global losses, however, were below average, due to a combination of steadily improving early-warning systems and the absence of a mega-event, partly due to a quiet Atlantic hurricane season (Haiyan was devastating on a human scale, but the islands afflicted are comparatively lacking in infrastructure and assets). The biggest drivers of loss are population. Urban sprawl and population growth in especially risky areas such as flood zones, tornado alleys, and coastal areas will drive up loss. (Climate Central)

The resiliency plan includes municipal grants to protect energy and electricity systems, and provide protection from floods and sea level rise. It also calls upon the state to assess and develop adaptation plans for transportation infrastructure, while public health will study drinking water infrastructure and the spread of disease. The proposed bill would allow the state to provide grants for regional organizations to develop plans to address climate change, and create a coastal buy-back program to authorize the state to acquire properties located in flood plains or tidal zones, or contain structures damaged by weather.(Boston Globe, South Coast Today, Mass Live)

This tool estimates annual amount of stormwater runoff for specific U.S. locations. The updated calculator takes into account IPCC climate scenarios, thus incorporating changes in precipitation, more frequent high-intensity storms, and evaporation rates into the calculation of stormwater runoff. Users can learn also the effect of green infrastructure. (EPA)

Cool California Accepting Applications

Cool California will be accepting applications for a new round in February. Each city will create its own, targeted strategy to reduce barriers and increase resident engagement in climate action.

Resilient Sacramento is a membership based collaborative network designed to promote greater climate change resilience planning coordination in the six-county Sacramento Region. The purpose of this collaborative network is to create a forum where leaders from government, academia, environmental and community groups, the business community, and labor can come together to exchange information, identify vulnerabilities and data gaps, leverage resources, and advance comprehensive solutions in an effort to create stronger, sustainable, and economically viable communities in the Sacramento Region.  

Resilient Sacramento's current members include: UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy; Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; Sacramento Area Council of Governments; Greenwise Joint Ventures; Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Pacific Gas & Electric Company; and the Local Government Commission. If you are interested in learning more about Resilient Sacramento, joining the Collaborative, or being added to the list serv, please contact Jenny Woods.