With our counterparts from Vancouver BC, we split the Day between the classroom and tours of Rotterdam. In the classroom, we learned about Climate Adaptation Planning and Strategy through a C40 master class. On the tour we visited the Benthem Water Square and the ZoHo Water District.

 Day 6 (April 2) - The Cascade Effect

In the C40 master class we discussed starting resilience planning with an evaluation of a city’s risks associated with climate change. The classic approach to evaluating risk based on impact x probability can be elaborated on by evaluating the cascade effect, which looks beyond the direct impacts to the impacts of the impacts. For example, climate change causes more intense/frequent rain events, which causes more frequent flooding, which causes property damage, which causes businesses to close, which causes a dip in the local economy, which causes people to move, which causes school enrollment to go down…This is a linear example, but in reality, the cascading impacts branch out like a family tree of catastrophe. Looking at potential negative impacts in this way can help us developing a stronger business case by expanding our accounting for the cost of inaction.

Maybe it’s because the Cascades Range is like a bookend for our region and where our drinking water originates, but I don’t like using the word ‘cascade’ to only describe the terrible chain of events that spawns from an initial system shock or a stressor (human steps into a forest and mass extinction ensues!). I think we should reclaim the cascade effect as a term that describes the chain of positive impacts that strategic investments in water and community can have on the Cascadia region.

 Missing Mountains in the Flatlands 

 

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Chill! Goodwill and Cascadia -  Eureka! We’ve found them. Seattle makes a nice pairing with Vancouver BC when it comes to climate adaptation and one water management issues.

We live in the same bioregion sharing the same climate, the Salish Sea, the J pod and our common future. Our populations, growth patterns and affordability issues have similarities too. Our drinking water comes from pristine mountain reservoirs, our drainage and wastewater is a mix of separated systems and combined sewers and our community’s are surrounded by and connected to the water.

There are differences (political, regulatory, financial, etc) but as civil servants we seem aligned in the values, hopes, and concerns we share for Cascadia.

It’s an easy partnership with a seasoned City Planning Director named Gil (who’s name was mistaken early in the trip for Chill), a thoughtful and gracious Engineering Director with a last name that translates to “goodwill”, and talented, energetic and committed staff - Melina, Wendy and Jimmy. 

Seattle wouldn’t be on this learning exchange if not for their desire to reach across the border, make an invite, do the heavy lifting for a grant and forge a connection. We are indebted and in gratitude to this kindness and foresight. 

 

As peers, our new colleagues will provide us with intellectual companionship and sharing that is important to our region. 

 

In responding to the uncertainty of climate change and the need for innovation, we all need encouragement and perhaps, in the future, a little more friendly competition, aye?

 

My bet is the Seattle rainwater harvest brew.  Either way, it'd be hard to lose.   Go team SPU!

 

 

 

JPod and Salish Sea