Assessing Vulnerability of Water Conveyance Infrastructure from a Changing Climate in the Context of a Changing Landscape

Originally aired November 13, 2014

This webinar presents results from NOAA- and EPA-funded research (2007–2013) examining the hydrologic impact of climate change and land use scenarios on existing water conveyance infrastructure in rural, peri-urban, and urban watersheds in New England and the upper Midwest. Infrastructure was assessed and mapped, vulnerable components identified, and a marginal cost analysis completed for alternative response actions — informing community resilience and increasing stakeholder capacity to adapt at the local level.

Speakers

Irene Nielson (Moderator)

Climate Change Coordinator, U.S. EPA New England

Irene Nielson, MPA, is the Climate Change Coordinator at U.S. EPA New England, where she works on climate adaptation initiatives and helps communities understand and respond to the impacts of a changing climate on local infrastructure and ecosystems.

Michael Simpson

Co-Director, Antioch Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience; Chair, Department of Environmental Studies

Michael Simpson is Co-Director of the Antioch Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience and Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England. His research examines how climate change and land use scenarios affect water conveyance infrastructure, and how those findings can be translated into community-level resilience and adaptation strategies.