Jim LopezDepartment of Housing and Urban DevelopmentSenior Advisor to Deputy SecretaryArizona State University October 15, 2010

HOT-AIR GLUT -- COUNTY DOESN'T NEED A `GREENHOUSE' OFFICE

Seattle Times Editorial, page A-8September 7, 1988

“IF THE ‘greenhouse effect’ is exacerbated by political hot air, the world is in real trouble.

The hyperbolic clouds of rhetorical gas belched out on this issue in recent weeks could easily choke someone - or at least cloud the

vision of otherwise rational people. If Sims and Laing want to study the greenhouse effect, they should buy themselves some

tomato plants and a bag of steer manure - which shouldn't be at all hard for such experienced politicians to find.”

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Global warming: They're not laughing at Ron Sims now

By Keith Ervin

Seattle Times staff reporter

“Now county executive, Sims has set up a climate-response planning team — and no one is laughing.”

“Ask the climate question”

Lessons Learned-From All Levels of Government

Think On the Margin

Speak to Peoples Interest

Think Across Disciplines

Answering the Climate Question:Sustainable Communities Partnership

BackgroundHUD, DOT, EPA have formed the Partnership

for Sustainable Communities and are committed to working together in support of 6 Livability Principles:

1. Provide more transportation choices 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing3. Enhance economic competitiveness4. Support existing communities5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment6. Value communities and neighborhoods

FundingIn FY2010 budget, Congress appropriated $150

million to HUD for a Sustainable Communities Initiative

Approximately $100 million is available for the Planning Grant Program

Approximately $40 million for Challenge Grant Program

Approximately $10 million for research of housing and transportation index

Answering the Climate Question:Sustainable Communities Partnership

Answering the Climate Question:Sustainable Communities Partnership

Adaptation Language in NOFA

Eligible activity:“h. Conduct comprehensive climate change impacts assessments to guide regional planning and implementation

strategies. Assessments may comprehensively evaluate a range of likely climate change impacts or may focus on an impact area of special concern in the region (e.g.: sea level rise or reduced water availability. Findings from climate impact assessments should be used as a basis for defining adaptation actions to be implemented in appropriate plans and strategies.”

Rating Factor on Statement of Need may award a point for how well the applicant addresses the following in its proposed plan:

“(22) threats to the environment, human health, or property associated with expectedclimate changes (e.g., sea level rise and storm surge, lack of water supply, more intense rainfall events resulting

in water pollution impacts).”

For Category 2 (Advanced) applicants, Vision Statement rating factor points may be awarded for how well the applicant addresses the following:

“(b) Identify any gaps in the existing regional plan or vision that need to be addressed anddescribe how the consortium plans to address them. These may include subject-matter gaps,such as affordable housing, fair housing, transportation, water infrastructure, climate changeimpact assessments, etc., or process gaps, such as use of scenario planning methods or broadbased and

extensive community involvement. What opportunities will support from the grant program make possible?”

Ask the climate question…

Figure 1: Flexible Framework from the Progress Report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force

Answering the Climate Question:CEQ White House Task Force

Answering the Climate Question:CEQ White House Task Force

GOAL 4: Enhance Efforts to Lead and Support International Adaptation

Recommended Actions: 1. Develop a Government-wide strategy to support multilateral

and bilateral adaptation activities and integrate adaptation into relevant U.S. foreign assistance programs

2. Enhance collaboration on adaptation among international development, national security, and technical support agencies

3. Engage global development partners and the private sector to promote knowledge sharing and coordinate investments

Answering the Climate Question:CEQ White House Task Force

Next Steps

Building a More Resilient

Nation