Building Climate Change Resilience in Columbus through University and Community Engagement

During the past four years, the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center (BPCRC) has contributed to the development of a climate risk and vulnerability report that subsequently resulted in an effort to create a Climate Change Action Plan for the city of Columbus. This process involved conversations and focus groups with stakeholders and technical experts, from both on- and off-campus, to synthesize a document usable by city leaders and local decision makers. Stakeholders have included individuals from city government, public utilities, businesses, nonprofits, and the faith community. During the project, the State Climate Office of Ohio helped identify experts, and The STEAM Factory provided a convenient meeting venue. This project has established BPCRC as a local and regional facilitator of conversations around scientifically vetting climate information and moved Columbus toward becoming a more climate resilient community. This presentation will include an overview of the draft Columbus Climate Change Action Plan and process by which it was created.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Aaron Wilson, Senior Research Associate, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center and The Ohio State University Extension, wilson.1010@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Jason Cervenec, Education and Outreach Director, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center; Geoff Dipre, Doctoral Candidate, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center.The Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center (BPCRC) has contributed to the development of a climate risk and vulnerability report that subsequently resulted in an effort to create a Climate Change Action Plan for the city of Columbus. This process involved conversations and focus groups with stakeholders and technical experts, from both on and off campus, to synthesize a document usable by city leaders and local decision makers. Stakeholders have included individuals from city government, public utilities, businesses, nonprofits, and the faith community. The State Climate Office of Ohio helped identify experts, and The STEAM Factory provided a convenient meeting venue. This project has established BPCRC as a facilitator of conversations around scientifically vetting climate information and moved Columbus toward becoming a more climate-resilient community. This poster will include an overview of the draft Columbus Climate Change Action Plan and process by which it was created