Climate Adaptation: Long Beach Library

Stormwater Runoff Mitigation Strategies with Porous Parking Lot

Sometimes it can seem like strategies for adapting to climate change exist in a far off world, perhaps situated in environmentally privileged communities, however, there are examples nestled in our everyday life. A trip to the my local library in Long Beach, California, revealed how this newly built library highlighted examples of climate change adaption.

Before showcasing the examples of climate change adaptation, I wanted share a definition of climate change adaptation, also known as climate adaptation. Below are a few definitions:

• EPA: Climate change adaptation or climate adaptation means taking action to prepare for and adjust to both the current and projected impacts of climate change

• UC Davis: Climate change adaptation is the adjustments societies or ecosystems make to limit the negative effects of climate change or to take advantage of opportunities provided by a changing climate.

• NASA: Adaptation – adapting to life in a changing climate – involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate. The goal is to reduce our risks from the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level rise, more intense extreme weather events, or food insecurity). It also includes making the most of any potential beneficial opportunities associated with climate change (for example, longer growing seasons or increased yields in some regions).

Climate adaptation is adjusting to the present and future climate. Climate adaptation also encapsulates a variety of approaches including building design.

Now you may be wondering, what impact does climate change have? A shorthand answer is that climate change will create extreme climate events that will create cascading effects on all facets of life. For instance, if an area experiences rainy seasons, the impact that climate change may have is that a rainy season may be prolonged or may occur at greater intensity. In the case of the city of Long Beach, the impacts that climate change will have on this area are extreme heat, rising sea levels and flooding.

At the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, the parking lot has been designed with porous parking pavement.

During intense rainfall, porous pavement prevents rainwater from being pushed onto the streets and instead soak in place.

So next time you are out and about on the streets, look down, you might be looking at climate change adaptation in action in your neighborhood.