BEYOND HAZARD AND VULNERABILITY PLANNING: Weighing the Costs, Benefits and Challenges of Climate Adaptation

The Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR) recent webinar, “Beyond Hazard and Vulnerability Planning: Weighing the Costs, Benefits and Challenges of Climate Adaptation” brought together national experts to share best practices and recent case studies around the development of climate adaptation solutions.

Moderated by Melissa May, AICP Senior Planner and Resilience Practice Leader, SSFM International, the program included presentations by:
Sarah Chang, Project Analyst, Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Coastal Zone Management Program
Dr. David Revell, Principal of Coastal Resilience, Integral Consulting
Dr. Paul S. Chinowsky, Founder and Director, Resilient Analytics
Dr. Dave Anning, Environmental Economist, Integral Consulting

SSFM’s Melissa May notes, “the intent of the event was to forward the conversation on approaches to climate adaptation in Hawai‘i. It presented ground-tested solutions to some of the key challenges. Specifically, choosing between different adaptation strategies when each one has significant social, environmental, and economic implications. Our speakers represented leading experts who offered replicable, technically sound decision making framework for climate adaptation.”

The panelists shared current initiatives, tools, and approaches for addressing climate adaptation challenges in Hawai‘i and beyond. The “climate adaptation pathways” approach was discussed as a way of identifying and prioritizing phased adaptation solutions for specific areas. Speakers also offered data-driven tools and methods for evaluating different adaptation strategies and quantifying the benefits of coastal ecosystems, social impacts, and beach economies as part of cost-benefit analysis.

The Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR) recent webinar, “Beyond Hazard and Vulnerability Planning: Weighing the Costs, Benefits and Challenges of Climate Adaptation” brought together national experts to share best practices and recent case studies around the development of climate adaptation solutions.

Moderated by Melissa May, AICP Senior Planner and Resilience Practice Leader, SSFM International, the program included presentations by:
Sarah Chang, Project Analyst, Hawaii Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Coastal Zone Management Program
Dr. David Revell, Principal of Coastal Resilience, Integral Consulting
Dr. Paul S. Chinowsky, Founder and Director, Resilient Analytics
Dr. Dave Anning, Environmental Economist, Integral Consulting

SSFM’s Melissa May notes, “the intent of the event was to forward the conversation on approaches to climate adaptation in Hawai‘i. It presented ground-tested solutions to some of the key challenges. Specifically, choosing between different adaptation strategies when each one has significant social, environmental, and economic implications. Our speakers represented leading experts who offered replicable, technically sound decision making framework for climate adaptation.”

The panelists shared current initiatives, tools, and approaches for addressing climate adaptation challenges in Hawai‘i and beyond. The “climate adaptation pathways” approach was discussed as a way of identifying and prioritizing phased adaptation solutions for specific areas. Speakers also offered data-driven tools and methods for evaluating different adaptation strategies and quantifying the benefits of coastal ecosystems, social impacts, and beach economies as part of cost-benefit analysis.