Paradigm Shift

The journal Planning for Higher Education published the results of a study wherein roughly 30 organizations, including a number of colleges and universities, were asked about their preparedness in the face of a changing climate. Many were nowhere near as ready as they wished to be. Planning for resilience was lacking at most. 

This was clearly not a scientific or representative study, yet the conclusions reached by its author were quite interesting.  In the report, the author categorized a number of different “barriers to resilience planning” identified by the surveyed groups:

Financial.  Many report budgetary constraints (for planning and implementation). The short-term nature of the budget process (as compared to the long-term nature of climate change) is problematic, as is the misconception that “resilience measures are extremely expensive with a low return on investment.”

Organizational.  Some institutions just don’t know where to start.  Some lack “consistent regulations and policies.” Others say they don’t have the leadership support necessary.  Many cite a “lack of metrics for measuring progress…. Behavioral inertia” also makes it “difficult to convince people to take action against future potential impacts that cannot be quantified accurately.”

Campus Flood Map (Source)

The author concludes that “a paradigm shift in campus operators’ and users’ understanding of and attention to climate-related vulnerabilities is necessary for campus communities to become more resilient.”  So how can that happen?  The interviews rendered their own suggestions from the institutions surveyed:

SET ASIDE TIME FOR PLANNING AND PREPARATION. Resilience planning and implementation may take time, and it is therefore important to begin the process now. It is recommended that colleges and universities conduct a campus-level vulnerability assessment to determine how the campus will withstand potential harm from both short- and long-term climate change impacts. Planning efforts should include safe evacuation routes and/or preparations for dwelling in place in the event of extreme weather.

INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE THINKING. The effectiveness of resilience measures can be increased by incorporating elements of sustainability, such as energy optimization, renewable energy, and stormwater control. Universities should make sure to prepare for the longer-term consequences of climate change, such as the incremental rise in sea levels, as well as the severe impact of short-term events such as storms. They should also consider campus-wide approaches, such as a holistic stormwater collection and storage system or a network of vegetative cover to reduce heat island effects during hot summer months.

KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGING REGULATIONS AT THE MUNICIPAL, REGIONAL, AND FEDERAL LEVEL. Colleges and universities should stay ahead of new and impending building and construction codes to ensure they are in compliance.

MAKE SURE INSURANCE POLICIES COVER POTENTIAL DAMAGE from climate-related impacts.

FACILITATE COLLABORATION AMONG ALL CAMPUS STAKEHOLDERS, including external stakeholders, if applicable, and determine each stakeholder group’s specific needs in order to get everyone’s buy-in.

RAISE AWARENESS. Internal audiences need to be educated on the importance and benefits of emergency preparedness and how implementing measures now can decrease future problems and associated costs.