Resiliency

Bay Area Council Seeks to Raise a Statewide California Resilience Challenge Fund

Issue: 
Jim Wunderman

After passing a multi-county ballot measure to fund San Francisco Bay restoration and resilience projects, the Bay Area Council is launching a resilience initiative for the rest of the state.

De-Risking Cities: Connectivity and Cybersecurity

Issue: 
Cheryl Santor

With more and more infrastructure coming to rely on a network of computers communicating around the clock, the most critical functions of our cities could soon be more vulnerable than ever before. In the Internet age, urban “resilience” means not only responding to climate change, but also protecting our ubiquitous networks from both hack and glitch. At VX2017, cybersecurity experts discussed how agencies are staying ahead of the curve of the new, advanced technology taking over our cities.

Resiliency & Climate Adaptation Case Study: How Communities Are Mobilizing

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Resiliency and climate adaptation efforts seek to buffer humans from the impacts of climate change. In South Louisiana, entire communities are now at-risk to the impacts of sea-level rise. VX News speaks with Steven Bingler, the leader of one of the most innovative, community-led resiliency projects that is seeking to design a bipartisan blueprint for climate adaptation work in the region.

Sen. Bob Wieckowski Successfully Integrating Climate Adaptation Into California Law and Planning

Issue: 
California State Senator Bob Wieckoswki

California State Senator Wieckowski opines on his SB 246's work to improve statewide resiliency coordination, as well as other accomplishments as Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

USGS Dr. Lucy Jones Advises City of Los Angeles on Resiliency and ‘The Big One’

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In order to improve Los Angeles’ earthquake preparedness, Mayor Eric Garcetti has brought in the US Geological Survey’s world-renowned Dr. Lucy Jones as his Science Advisor for Seismic Safety to create a resiliency report. Jones spoke with VerdeXchange News to describe the document’s scope and purpose. The interview was conducted in anticipation of its release in December. (Link to final report here: (https://www.socalgrantmakers.org/sites/default/files/files/news/Earthqua...) Jones explained the particular risks facing the city during a natural disaster, from water to housing stock, with a focus on the economic repercussions of “The Big One.”

Australia’s Rainwater Cisterns Inspire TreePeople’s Lipkis

Issue: 
Andy Lipkis

At the USC Center for Sustainability’s Spring Forum on May 6, titled “Envisioning Drought Resilient Cities,” Founder and President of TreePeople Andy Lipkis shared the unprecedented success Australia experienced after its citizens installed rainwater-capture cisterns on their homes during the country’s historic 12-year drought. Lipkis discussed how, in the face of changing weather patterns due to climate change and with fewer trees to capture, clean, and store rainwater than we once had, those living in cities must mobilize to collect as much precipitation as possible—and local water agencies must work together on stormwater solutions rather than remaining in isolation. VX News has included an edited transcription of his remarks.

VX2014: New Tools & Markets For Financing & Insuring Water, Energy, and Resilient Infrastructure Projects

Issue: 

Communities and utilities across the nation face the challenges of aging infrastructure, climate change, increased costs, and limited funding. With such challenges come opportunities to be innovative and for our utilities and communities to become more efficient, sustainable, and resilient. Solutions such as green infrastructure and renewable energy projects are addressing these issues while enhancing the quality of life in our communities. Funding them, however, is a major challenge. With creative financing ideas being tried across the nation to help utilities and communities meet these challenges, what are some of the best ideas and examples in the water and energy sectors?