Climate Vulnerability Assessment & Adaptation Planning in Oberlin - Intro for Community Participants

00:00 Introduction & Agenda
05:40 Climate Change Basics
10:00 Climate Action in Oberlin so far
14:15 Key concepts & definitions
30:33 The assessment and planning process
45:30 Participant introductions & climate concerns
49:30 Climate predictions & hazards for Oberlin

This presentation was the first meeting of the complete group of civic leaders and plan leaders and facilitators at the innauuration of Oberlin's Climate Vulnerability Assessment Process. We post it as a useful example other communities that are planning to engage in climate vulnerability assessments. While each community is unique, the process followed in Oberlin resulted in a final assessment that included a diversity of perspectives on the particular hazards, risks and adaptive capacities of this community.

RESOURCE LINKS:
City of Oberlin Climate Vulnerability Assessment:

Executive Summary of Final Assessment
The local, regional, and global climate is already changing as a result of greenhouse gasses emitted by humankind over the last two centuries. Swift and comprehensive action must be taken to eliminate future greenhouse gas emissions in order to secure a livable planet for future generations. However, the science is also clear that even if the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction strategies were to be adopted today, substantial climatic change is already occurring and will increase in magnitude and intensity over the next several decades. In other words, change and important impacts on communities across the globe are inevitable. Preparation is therefore essential. In recognition of this reality, communities across the globe are now beginning to engage in what is termed a climate vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning process. As described in this report, this is a multistage process. With the formal initiation of a vulnerability assessment, Oberlin is at the forefront of planning efforts.

In February of 2021, the City of Oberlin, with assistance from Oberlin College’s Environmental Studies Program, assembled a diverse group of community leaders to conduct a vulnerability assessment -- the first phase of this process. Between February and May of 2021, 53 members of the larger Oberlin community explored how systems critical to the functioning of the City - municipal services, emergency services, food supply, and community and cultural assets - were likely to be impacted by specific climate hazards predicted for Oberlin, such as increased flooding and heat waves. Participants explored both climate risks and the opportunities available for mitigating and enhancing community resilience in the face of these risks. Oberlin’s climate vulnerability assessment was designed to achieve three goals:
1. To compile the best available scientific information related to specific climate hazards likely to impact the Oberlin community over the next century, with an emphasis on impacts between now and 2030. To translate this information into a form that is easily accessible to members of the Oberlin Community.
2. To engage a diverse group of community members in considering the particular risks associated with these climate hazards on different aspects of the Oberlin community. To begin to consider adaptive capacity as well as Oberlin’s existing adaptive assets and challenges associated with these risks.
3. To summarize the insights revealed through these discussions as a report and as presentations that can be used to inform future decision-making and action by the city, organizations, and community members to reduce community vulnerabilities and enhance adaptive capacities.