The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news.
|
|
2022 in Review and Improving the Resilience Roundup in 2023...
As we start a new year, we want to thank all Resilience Roundup readers for staying tuned in! We also have a one question survey for you to indicate what sections of this newsletter you appreciate most, along with an opportunity to suggest a new topic(s) for future editions:
Following are highlights from CIRCA's work in 2022:
If you have questions or want more information about any of the above topics, please send us an email (circa@uconn.edu). We look forward to sustaining our partnerships while building new working relationships for a more Resilient Connecticut in 2023.
Wishing you a healthy and bright new year!
|
|
Climate and Equity Grant Program Awards Announced
CIRCA is pleased to announce results from the first round of our Climate & Equity Grant Program, a partnership program between CIRCA and CT DEEP with funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Six community-based organizations received grants for projects that increase the capacity of vulnerable communities in New Haven, Hartford, Norwalk, and Waterbury to mitigate, plan for, and respond to climate change.
These six grantees were selected from a large pool of competitive applicants based on criteria including the degree to which the project is community-driven and meets the state’s climate goals, the clarity and feasibility of the project work plan, and the potential to increase the capacity of vulnerable communities to respond to climate change and its impacts. For a description of the awards provided to the following grantees, click here.
Center for Latino Progress (Hartford)
Clean Water Fund (Waterbury)
Colt Park Foundation (Hartford)
New Haven Leon Sister City Project (New Haven)
Nonprofit Accountability Group (Hartford)
Pollinator Pathway (Norwalk)
|
|
Team Receives CTGBC Award for Living Shoreline Project
|
|
Photo courtesy of Mara Lavitt
Left to Right- Kai Starn, CTGBC Chair and Steven Winter Associates; Annie Procaccini, SumCo Eco-Contracting; Robert Gay, Lynde Point Land Trust; Alicia Dolce, CTGBC Executive Director; Katie Lund, CIRCA; Steve Lecco, GZA; Jonathan Gawrys, SumCo Eco-Contracting, Rhea Drozdenko, Connecticut River Conservancy, Wayne Cobleigh, CTGBC Finance Chair and GZA
|
|
Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund 2023
The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. This grant empowers communities of all kinds (including communities typically underrepresented in environmental programs and projects) to access, improve and benefit from Long Island Sound, its waterways, and surrounding lands. Up to $500,000 is expected to be available for grants in 2023. The most competitive proposals will incorporate multiple values including sustainability, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All applications must be submitted electronically through the proposal submission portal and are due on February 3rd.
|
|
National Sea Grant Law Center: Coastal Resilience Program
The National Sea Grant Law Center is accepting applications from eligible applicants to conduct research on the effectiveness of coastal adaptation laws and policies. The Coastal Resilience Program grants have a recommended funding level of $75,000. The National Sea Grant Law Center anticipates sufficient funding to make one to two grant awards. Eligible applications for this funding opportunity are Sea Grant Programs, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and non-profit organizations that have the ability and capacity to conduct rigorous, non-partisan law and policy research. Letters of Intent are due on Wednesday, March 1. Full proposals are due on Friday, April 14, 2023.
|
|
Sea Grant: Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program
With funding from US EPA through the Long Island Sound Study (LISS), New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant announced a funding opportunity open to municipalities and community organizations. This new program funds grant preparation and writing support to develop a grant application for sustainable and resilience projects that impact a community(ies) within or partially within the Long Island Sound Coastal boundary.
Funding is to be awarded in a range of $5,000- $9,950 per application directly to the applicant’s selected grant writing support contractor on a cost reimbursable basis. Match will not be required. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available funding is allocated, which may be no later than September 30th, 2023. A Connecticut Applicant Informational Webinar was held on December 13th - click HERE for a recording.
|
|
CIRCA Phase III Projects - Public Meetings Continue
January 12, 6:30 PM
Consultants working on CIRCA's seven Resilient Connecticut Phase III projects are launching public meetings. The 1st public workshop for the ‘Resilient South Norwalk’ Project will be held virtually on January 12th at 6:30 PM. The planning team will share an overview of the goals for the project and will be looking for input from you on flooding, climate change, and your experience in South Norwalk as it relates to these topics. We hope you can join!
|
|
What’s new in RAINE?: Explore Updates to the EPA Resilience and Adaptation in New England Mapping Tool
January 25, 11:00 AM
Since 2013, EPA Region 1 has maintained the Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE) database, a tool to enable communities to share success stories and develop strategies to adapt to climate change. The RAINE database is a searchable collection of state, regional, watershed and community-level adaptation and resilience plans, reports, and webpages in New England. In this webinar, EPA New England’s RAINE Team will introduce an updated and improved map-based platform for the RAINE database, which will increase the functionality and make the tool more accessible.
|
|
Sustainable CT Webinar: Resources for Strategically Managing Your
Energy and GHG Emissions
January 25, 12:00 PM
Reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions is a challenging venture with many variables! Knowing what to prioritize and how to setup a program for long term success is not easy. Join this Sustainable CT webinar to learn about an Eversource program that supports municipalities in developing a holistic approach to managing energy and GHG emissions over the long term.
|
|
EBC Ocean and Coastal Resources Webinar:
3rd Annual Regional Agency Update
February 10, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Regulators and practitioners continue to develop regulatory updates, policies, programs, and innovative solutions in the face of sea level rise and more intense and frequent coastal storms. Given the quickly evolving coastal resiliency landscape, it can be challenging to stay abreast of the latest developments. The need for property owners to remain current with state coastal zone management policies and design strategies is more important than ever. This EBC 3rd Annual Ocean and Coastal Resources Regional Agency Update will present a panel of state regulators discussing the latest coastal hot topics within their jurisdiction.
|
|
SCCOG Municipal Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) was awarded a CIRCA Municipal Resilience Grant to conduct a municipal stormwater utility feasibility study. SCCOG contracted CDM Smith to work with four member municipalities (Ledyard, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford) due to their interest in establishing a municipal stormwater utility. A final feasibility study report from this work is now available as the project team works to wrap up their work early in 2023.
|
|
New CIRCA Article - Understanding the Coast as a Peopled Place:
A Literature Survey of Place Attachment in Climate Change Adaptation
As the field of adaptation science grows, there are new and emerging paradigms to approach climate change planning. This new CIRCA publication in Shore & Beach includes a literature survey of articles that evaluate coastal climate change adaptation in the place attachment paradigm. Primary frames for place attachment in adaptation were social capital, cultural heritage, managed retreat and migration, and ecosystem services. Place attachment also provides an opportunity for more equitable and just adaptation. Dr. Joanna Wozniak-Brown presents research, policy, and practice considerations to further the intersection and application of place attachment in adaptation.
|
|
The Inflation Reduction Act: Information on Energy Rebates and Tax Credits
Thanks to the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act, families are eligible for hundreds of dollars a year in energy savings. The Inflation Reduction Act also includes direct savings for households to make crucial, cost-saving energy efficiency improvements to their home. To get the most out of these savings, households can take advantage of various tax credits and rebates to help make their homes more efficient, power with clean energy, and lower the cost of purchasing electric and hybrid cars.
|
|
Harvard Team Releases The Climate Resilience
Toolkit for Frontline Clinics
Harvard's Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment and Americares have collaborated on the new "Climate Resilience for Frontline Clinics" project. Thousands of community health centers and free clinics across the U.S. care for millions of our nation’s uninsured or underinsured patients. Yet, more intense extreme weather events from climate change threaten their ability to provide care and keep their patients healthy. Resources can be downloaded by clicking on Heat or Hurricanes & Flooding and then selecting documents from a checklist. The documents are organized for health care providers and the public.
|
|
State and Regional News Clips |
|
CT Experts, Activists: COP27 Succeeded With Loss and Damages,
Failed to Crack Down on Fossil Fuels
CT Insider - December 5, 2022
This article summarizes what some CT experts (including CIRCA's Executive Director, Jim O'Donnell) think of the final outcome from COP27, the annual climate summit that aims to hasten international response to climate change, held recently in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
|
|
South Norwalk Is Among 7 CT Neighborhoods Picked for Climate Study.
Here’s What It Means
The Hour - December 6, 2022
In the first meeting of the recently formed Resilient South Norwalk Steering Committee, local leaders and state project managers outlined the city's involvement in the Resilient Connecticut program. Resilient Connecticut is a collaboration of CIRCA, state agencies, regional councils of governments (COGs) and municipalities, according to the program.
|
|
UConn Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and Become International Model of Sustainability
UConn Today - December 6, 2022
UConn will build on its culture of environmental sustainability with aspirations to achieve carbon neutrality on campus by 2030, making it a living laboratory to develop and demonstrate new approaches to mitigating climate change’s harmful effects. Specifics on the vision, goals, and targets for various initiatives will be outlined in a comprehensive Sustainability Action Plan to be released in the spring.
|
|
Connecticut, New York Receive Three NOAA Grants Each for
Coastal Resiliency Projects
WSHU Public Radio - December 7, 2022
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration joined the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to award a record amount of coastal resilience grants. Connecticut received three grants totaling $1.3 million to expand over a dozen natural coastal hardening and living shoreline projects. The state was awarded $613,000, West Haven was for $508,700 and $211,800 for Norwalk.
|
|
Climate Czar Eyes Green Jobs “Avalanche”
New Haven Independent - December 12, 2022
New Haven’s new climate czar woke up at 4 a.m. Monday thinking about the planet — then pedaled two wheels through icy slush to help his city save it and create jobs in the process. Steve Winter, 34, said he woke up that early because he was so “thrilled” to begin his job as New Haven government’s first director of climate and sustainability.
|
|
CT green Infrastructure Projects Get $4.5 Million from Federal
Long Island Futures Fund
CT Insider - December 13, 2022
|
|
‘Face it head on’: Connecticut Makes Climate Change Studies Compulsory
The Guardian - December 17, 2022
Starting next July, Connecticut will become one of the first states in America to mandate climate change studies across its public schools as part of its science curriculum. The new law passed earlier this year comes as part of the state’s attempts to address concerns over the short duration – and in some cases, absence – of climate change studies in classrooms.
|
|
Governor Hochul Announces More Than $11.6 Million Awarded to Municipalities for Climate Smart Communities Projects
NY Gov - December 29, 2022
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the State Department of Environmental Conservation's Climate Smart Communities Grant program is awarding more than $11.6 million to 25 municipalities across the state. Funding helps save taxpayer dollars while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping adapt to the impacts of climate change.
|
|
Extreme Floods Expose the Flaws in FEMA’s Risk Maps
Washington Post - December 6, 2022
This year, extreme precipitation deluged communities across the United States. Government flood-insurance maps often left residents unprepared for the threat. A Washington Post analysis of videos taken by people who endured destruction from flooding pinpoints how federal maps are failing to reflect the growing peril that Americans face.
|
|
State of the Climate: 2022 is Currently Tied for Fourth Warmest Year on Record
Carbon Brief - December 7, 2022
This year has been one of extremes, featuring record-shattering summer heatwaves and devastating floods. Western Europe and parts of Asia have had their warmest year on record. Globally, 2022 is the fourth warmest year on record.
|
|
Climate Issues to Watch in 2023: Toward COP 28 and Faster,
More Urgent Climate Action
UN Foundation: December 12, 2022
2022 delivered important progress in the climate change fight. The United States enacted its first-ever climate legislation. The Inflation Reduction Act will inject an unprecedented $369 billion of public spending and tax credits into the U.S. economy to boost clean energy, clean infrastructure, and climate resilience over the next decade. Here’s a closer look at the state of play as we exit 2022, and what it means for climate action in 2023.
|
|
The Climate Impact of Your Neighborhood, Mapped
New York Times - December 13, 2022
New data shared with The New York Times reveals stark disparities in how different U.S. households contribute to climate change. Looking at America’s cities, a pattern emerges. Households in denser neighborhoods close to city centers tend to be responsible for fewer planet-warming greenhouse gases, on average, than households in the rest of the country.
|
|
NASA Launches International Mission to Survey Earth's Water
NASA - December 16, 2022
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft was launched atop a SpaceX rocket. The satellite will measure the height of water in freshwater bodies and the ocean on more than 90% of Earth’s surface. This information will provide insights into how the ocean influences climate change; how a warming world affects lakes, rivers, and reservoirs; and how communities can better prepare for disasters, such as floods.
|
|
The 2022 Hurricane Season Shows Why Climate Change Is So Dangerous
NPR - December 28, 2022
In early September, a lot of people who live in hurricane-prone parts of the United States started noticing that it had been an eerily quiet summer. On average, there are 14 storms each year in the Atlantic between June 1 and December 1. But as of August, there had only been three storms.
|
|
The Resilience Roundup highlights CIRCA's presence in the news, provides links to recent local/state/national news articles related to resilience and adaptation, and announces upcoming events and seminars.
The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation's (CIRCA) mission is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the natural, built, and human environment. The institute is located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and includes faculty from across the university. CIRCA is a partnership between UConn and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).
|
|
State and Regional News Clips |
|
|
|
|
|
|
