Sound boring?
Dallas, and the surrounding NCTCOG cities have enough surface water (our main source of H2O) it would seem, under "historic" climate models. "Historic" does not mean much any more however, when we have had a "1000 year rain event" in recent memory (Harvey) and (unprecedented-in-our-geologic-era) Australian firestorms still raging as we write. The fact seems to be that we have entered a chaotic phase in which the past offers no clue of the future, other than OVER ALL the ocean and atmosphere are getting hotter.
Given our growing awareness of climate change and its potential impacts, today's Council briefing, if not riveting, should be of more than casual interest. "Drought-flood" is now our general weather forecast, and that means living with increased water restrictions and better ways to get rid of it when there is too much.
Yes, it has implications for transportation too. Climate change, with sustained high summer heats, will be cracking up the roadways as never before. One could speculate that infrastructure costs will have our highway projects fighting with water resource and watershed management for limited tax dollars.
Soon, staff tell us, we will be hearing about opportunities to take part in a Regional Climate Change workshop in March (watch this space). Climate change is something all of us as planners, designers and citizens, despite particular interests, need to learn about and take a lead in adapting to.
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