Climate change workshop set for March 2-3

The Association is partnering with several other organizations for a two-day workshop to examine the impact that significant changes in our climate could have on North Carolina and its local governments. "Planning for North Carolina's Future: Ask the Climate Question" will be held March 2-3 in Raleigh and is designed to accommodate those who are involved in planning, policy and decision-making at a local, regional or state level in North Carolina.

Elected officials can earn six credits toward their commitment to continuing education through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA) recognition program by attending.

Potential changes that could happen in North Carolina include: sea level rise; more frequent and intense heat waves; increased air and water temperature; increased storm intensity and frequency; and altered rainfall patterns resulting in both droughts and floods.

These threats could have significant impacts to North Carolina's coastal resources, transportation and other infrastructure needs, water supplies, agriculture and public health.

The workshops will examine how local and state governments should plan for changing climates and will focus on community-level responses involving public infrastructure, land-use planning and environmental reviews of development projects.

Speakers include Tom Karl, a Nobel Prize-winning member of the International Panel on Climate Change, who will share key lessons from his book, "Global Climate Change Impact in the United States." Scott Shuford, Onslow County planning and development director, will roll out his book, "Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future," which is being published by the American Planning Association.

Other workshop sessions will examine what other states are doing, looking at climate change from a local risk management perspective, and the importance of communication and education in developing plans.

For more information on registration and workshop sessions, visit www.climatechange.nc.gov. For more information on the LELA recognition program, visit www.ncacc.org/lela.html.