CAF14-125

How Local Food System Planning Can Create More Resilient Communities

Speakers: Gail Feenstra, Deputy Director, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, UC Davis; Timothy Griffin, Alliance Program Manager, Ag Innovations Network; Eric Holt-Giménez, Ph.D., Executive Director, Food First, Institute for Food and Development Policy; Ricardo Salvador, Ph.D., Director and Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists; MODERATOR: Sigrid Wright, Assistant Director, Community Environmental Council

In parts of California, food banks are reporting a 75% drop in donated fruits and vegetables due to the drought – confirming that our most vulnerable populations are on the front lines of climate change. We’ll look at how some communities are engaging emergency food providers – as well as churches, farmers, NGOs, schools, political officials and local governments – in large-scale efforts to design healthier, more vibrant food systems that build community resilience. Many early-adopter cities and counties have completed and are implementing “food action plans” or “food system assessments,” providing an emerging body of case studies and tools. We explore examples from major urban areas (Oakland and Los Angeles) and urban/rural areas (Sonoma, Fresno and San Luis Obispo). We also explore how some Food Policy Councils are being coordinated out of mayor’s offices, planning departments or public health departments, and how their work can support climate action plans or other planning efforts.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

CAF14-208

Leveraging Resources for Financing, Implementing and Sustainability Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency Initiatives

Speakers: Karen Kubick, Sewer System Improvement Program Director, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; David Behar, Climate Programs Director, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Ben Grant, Public Realm and Urban Design Program Manager, San Francisco Planning & Urban Research Association (SPUR); MODERATOR: Erin Hagan, Policy and Government Affairs Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Local utilities can be strategic partners in thinking about creative financing mechanisms for planning and implementation of climate-adaptation and resiliency efforts. America’s water systems are old, inefficient and desperately in need of modernization, especially as our cities become more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. As cities are investing in upgrades to their water infrastructure, these capital-improvement programs can serve as vehicles for financing, implementing and sustaining climate-change adaptation and resiliency initiatives. For example, the San Francisco PUC is incorporating climate-change adaptation strategies into its multi-billion dollar Sewer System Improvement Program. This session looks at the SFPUC as a case-study and delve into the details of how the agency was able to prioritize climate-change adaptation through its capital programs.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

CAF14-111

Planning for Climate Change Impacts: A Transportation Perspective

Speakers: Lindy Lowe, Senior Planner, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission; Katie Benouar, Chief, Division of Transportation Planning, California Department of Transportation; Cris Liban, Deputy Executive Officer, Environment, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Shirley Qian, GIS Specialist, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority; MODERATOR: Kome Ajise, Deputy Director, Planning and Modal Programs, California Department of Transportation

California’s vast transportation network of highways, local streets, transit systems, bicycle/walking paths, seaports and airports play a vital role in the movement of people and freight. This panel discussion helps frame the issues that transportation providers in California should address in order to adapt to our changing climate. Panelists provide an overview of potential impacts to our transportation system and the innovative steps underway to plan for those impacts.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

CAF14-116

Engaging Communities on Health, Equity and Climate Adaptation

Speakers: MODERATOR: Martha Dina Arguello, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles Chione Flegal, Deputy Director, PolicyLink; Monica Shankar, Health and Environment Associate, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles; Catalina Garzon, Program Director, Community Strategies for Sustainability and Justice Program, Pacific Institute

We know that low-income communities of color are affected first and worst by climate change. Developing climate action coalitions can play a key role in engaging impacted residents in local climate action and adaptation planning. Successfully achieving climate resiliency hinges on broad-scale community participation involving a diversity of residents. In this interactive workshop, we compare the experiences of Los Angeles and Oakland in developing leadership around climate adaptation strategies, especially those strategies with a strong social equity and environmental justice focus. Panelists share tools, activities and lessons learned from engaging communities in planning and taking action to build their resilience to climate change.

MP3

$10.00

$10.00

Subtotal

$40.00