2023.10.03 WS Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Brighton Climate Action Plan 7 -1 Supporting community adaptation through expanded green infrastructure and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Trees and natural coverings crucially enhance regional health, air and water quality, decrease building energy use, and aid climate mitigation. Studies show simple nature interactions signiflcantly boost well-being and reduce stress. Trees' role has broadened to include substantial health beneflts. They crucially purify air by removing harmful pollutants like Carbon Monoxide, particulate matter, and Ground-level Ozone, mitigating respiratory issues. Prairie Grass and Climate Action Replacing turf lawns with native prairie grass and wildfiowers is an efflcient climate adaptation tactic. These species, needing less water and maintenance, lower irrigation and lawn care emissions. Their deep roots bolster soil health, water absorption, and carbon sequestration, reducing fiood risk and aiding climate mitigation. They also foster local wildlife habitats and biodiversity. This switch supports ecosystems, lessens environmental impact, and boosts resilience, offering a sustainable approach to climate adaptation. The Link Between Impervious Surfaces and Extreme Heat Impervious structures such as pavements and buildings in a region signiflcantly intensify "heat island" effects, leading to elevated atmospheric and surface temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural counterparts. This temperature surge, particularly during summer, escalates discomfort and health risks, notably during heatwaves. A comprehensive 2006 study conducted jointly by Minnesota State University and the University of Minnesota unveiled a proportion that clearly demonstrates the correlation between a region's impervious surface percentage and the commensurate heat island temperature rise. Climate Impacts Impervious surfaces, such as pavements, amplify urban heat islands by absorbing and retaining heat, thereby exacerbating climate change impacts, boosting energy consumption, and heightening heat-induced health risks. Climate Hazards Climate change could lead to higher forest and urban tree mortality, decreased productivity, invasive species and disease proliferation, and green infrastructure's diminished carbon capture due to greenspace loss. 77% of survey respondents are moderately, very, or extremely concerned about potential tree loss impacts of climate change. Greenspace and Trees Equity Considerations Lower-income and diverse communities often lack ample tree canopies, missing environmental, economic, and quality-of-life benefits. These neighborhoods suffer disproportionately from the urban heat island effect due to fewer trees and more heat- absorbing surfaces, increasing residents' heat exposure, discomfort, and health risks, intensifying environmental inequities. Click here to return to TOC