Eleventh International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Since the 1990’s, local governments have played a key role in climate change adaptation efforts because of the locality of climate change effects and the lack of international and national progress in mitigating greenhouse gases and preparing communities for climate change. However, while there is a clear body of literature that proposes approaches and adaption options, few have systematically examined adaptation actions at the local level in developed countries. Additionally, existing analyses have focused on large cities, not small towns. This research will explore if small-town local governments in developed countries consider climate change in their planning processes using three Pennsylvania towns and their preparation for water issues as a case study. If they do prepare, how? If they do not prepare, why? The research approach is twofold: interviews with local government officials in three Pennsylvania towns and a keyword search in local government planning documents for terms related to climate change planning. The results will be presented to each local government participating and will add a new element to the large body of climate change adaptation literature with its discussion of when and why small-town local governments prepare for climate change in developed countries.