1. The Economics Behind Weather and Climate Proofing Cities Zach Perry College of Arts and Sciences Major: Economics Minors: Computer and Information Science, History

2. Presentation Outline Extreme weather and climate events that effect cities Brief history of weather proofing Monetary impact of these events Current weather/climate proofing examples Economic and social reasons for weatherproofing The future of weather/climate proofing

3. What do We Weather/Climate Proof For? Extreme weather events: ▫Tornados, Hurricanes, Blizzards, heavy rain, drought etc. Small scale weather events ▫Light rain, lighting, snowstorms, small flooding, wind Large Scale Climate Changes ▫Specifically global warming trends ▫Not as easy to predict and prepare for

4. History of Weather Proofing Weather proofing began with water proofing a boats, and homes in ancient times Weather proofing has developed into two main parts For most of history focus was on weather proofing homes, and protecting agriculture Focus has shifted to cities and densely populated areas

5. The Cost of Weather/Climate Events https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=Adh4eNhpJYIhttps://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=Adh4eNhpJYI Weather causes high repair costs in short run, and far reaching impacts in the long run Climate impacts are not always as clear ▫High water overwhelms water treatment facilities ▫Extreme cold or heat

7. Developed vs. Undeveloped Countries Developed ▫High levels of monetary loss due to repair costs ▫Economic infrastructure allows for long term recovery ▫Typical focus is on large scale weather proofing Undeveloped ▫Repair costs are typically low ▫Very difficult to recover from disasters and often effects can last years ▫Focus is typically on small scale weather proofing

8. Small Scale Weather/Climate Proofing Small scale refers to efforts made by individuals ▫Typically homeowners ▫Often financed privately ▫Less expensive Examples ▫Waterproofing a home or business ▫Tornado shelters or cellars ▫Irrigation techniques to protect fields against flooding

9. Raised land to protect against flooding

10. Large Scale Weather/Climate Proofing Large scale weather and climate proofing is often taken on by governments or large private institutions Increases protection and general welfare of a large group of individuals Aim is to make entire areas or cities prepared for weather and climate events

11. Examples Houses designed to float in Lower 9 th Ward of New Orleans Hurricane-proof buildings near the Gulf and Atlantic Large Skyscrapers and bridges ▫Earthquakes ▫High Winds Levees and Flood Gates

12. New Orleans Float homes

13. Hurricane Proof Buildings

14. Why weather/climate proof? Long-term cost savings: ▫Less damage from weather events New design and construction creates jobs and spurs economic growth Proofing can not always protect property but often can save lives ▫Tornado shelters Environmental side effect ▫Weather/Climate proofed buildings are often also eco friendly

15. Effectiveness of Weather/Climate Proofing Monetary effectiveness varies with type ▫Systems in place for flooding are much more effective at preventing damage compared to tornados Infrastructure changes in the Philippines expected to return 5 times in loss prevention Federal spending on levees pays for itself six times over ▫American Society of Civil Engineers 2005 FEMA Study: ▫$1 in grants saved taxpayers $3.65 in avoided costs. 2014 Study ▫Every $1 spent on prevention leads to $4 plus in savings

16. How to Achieve Effective Weather/ Climate Proofing Federal, state or local building projects Subsidies or rebates to encourage the building of eco friendly and weather proofed buildings Taxes on buildings and projects that do not meet a standard Charitable efforts Educational outreach Research into at risk areas

17. Future Advances and Technologies Large focus is on the warming trends and anticipated climate impacts ▫i.e. Climate Proofing The World Bank has become increasingly invested in future climate proofing ▫The Netherlands is the leader in weatherproofing Examples: ▫Green Roofs in cities ▫Movable river closing structures ▫Infrastructure changes

18. Rendering of Green Roof Designs

19. Works Cited http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2013-05-07/cities-need-the-resilience-to-face- future-sandyshttp://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2013-05-07/cities-need-the-resilience-to-face- future-sandys http://www.aljazeera.com/weather/2012/04/201241293726978780.html http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/docs/smith-and-katz-2013.pdf http://www.factor-tech.com/future-cities/4439-living-roofs-the-key-to-climate-proofing- cities-of-the-future/http://www.factor-tech.com/future-cities/4439-living-roofs-the-key-to-climate-proofing- cities-of-the-future/ http://makeitright.org/where-we-work/new-orleans/ http://www.deltechomes.com/our-homes/hurricane-resistance/ http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/smart-structure.htm http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c10/e5-09-03-02.pdf http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/27/us/new-orleans-katrina-sites/ http://www.ryot.org/oxfam-food-for-all-campaign-uses-images-of-natural-beauty-to- draw-attention-to-hunger-crisis-in-africa/65994http://www.ryot.org/oxfam-food-for-all-campaign-uses-images-of-natural-beauty-to- draw-attention-to-hunger-crisis-in-africa/65994 http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?201796/Climate-proofing-tomorrows-cities-today http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/12/03/disaster-economics http://paidfromsavings.com/fast-company-fact-green-manufacturing-helps-stalling- economy/http://paidfromsavings.com/fast-company-fact-green-manufacturing-helps-stalling- economy/ http://www.agriculturesnetwork.org/magazines/global/searching-synergy/lowland- farminghttp://www.agriculturesnetwork.org/magazines/global/searching-synergy/lowland- farming

20. Questions?