Background - Climate Change and Infrastructure, Urban Systems, and Vulnerabilities - page 11

Table 2. Adaptation Impacts on Environment, Economy and Society, and Mitigation in
Boston

Table 2. Adaptation Impacts on Environment, Economy and Society, and Mitigation in
Boston

Sector Sector

Adaptation
Strategy

Adaptation

Strategy Environment Economy & Society Mitigation

Energy Both expand capacity In different locations, Rate changes. Growth Energy conservation Both expand capacity

and conserve.

In different locations, Rate changes. Growth Energy conservation

and conserve. either increase or and loss of some and use of renewables

either increase or and loss of some and use of renewables

decrease emissions. energy management. for replacement and

decrease emissions. for replacement and

energy management.

subsections new capacity will subsections new capacity will

reduce GHG emissions.

reduce GHG emissions.

Health Install air conditioning, More urban heat Air conditioning (AC ) AC expansion may

Install air conditioning,
Improve and expand
health services.
Implement early

Improve and expand effects unless energy expenses. Beter health require more energy use

health services. conservation. care system. (see Energy).

Implement early Urban heat island effect

warning systems. reduction. warning systems.

Transport Expand public Reduce emissions and More reliable Public transportation Expand public

transport. Increase road
network redundancy.

Reduce emissions and More reliable Public transportation

transport. Increase road congestion. If coastal transport network. will reduce GHG. congestion. If coastal transport network. will reduce GHG.

network redundancy. roads minimized, might

roads minimized, might
allow landward migration
of coastal wetlands
under sea-level rise.

allow landward migration

of coastal wetlands

under sea-level rise.

River Flood proofing. Retreat and increased Less flooding damages Greenways may result

Flood proofing.
Retreat.
Increase recharge to
reduce amount of

Flooding Retreat. recharge have positive and overall less in carbon sequestration,

Increase recharge to environmental benefits. homeowner expenses. less urban heat islands,

reduce amount of More recharge will lead more shade. Denser

surface runoff. to more water supply. development may result

surface runoff.

in more efficient energy

and other resources uses.

Sea Level Flood proofing. Fewer coastal uses are Less flood damage and If wetlands can be

Flood proofing.
Protection in high
density developed
areas. Retreat.

Fewer coastal uses are Less flood damage and If wetlands can be

Rise Protection in high positive for overall less homeowner re-established, similar to

positive for overall less homeowner re-established, similar to

density developed environment. expenses. More recharge river flooding expenses. More recharge river flooding

will lead to more water
supply.

environment.

areas. Retreat. will lead to more water

supply.

Water Demand management. If less water demand, Less energy use in water Demand management.

Joint regional systems.

Supply Joint regional systems. improved water quality. supply.

Water Management-point Improved water Possible rate changes. If vegetation part of storm-

Improved water Possible rate changes. If vegetation part of storm-

Management-point
source pollution and
other loads. Increase
discharge.

Quality source pollution and quality. water management, then quality. water management, then

other loads. Increase carbon sequestration less carbon sequestration less

urban heat island, more
shade. If denser develop-
ment, then more efficient
energy and other resource uses.

discharge. urban heat island, more

shade. If denser develop-

ment, then more efficient

energy and other resource uses.