On Monday, 22 April 2013, Ecologic Institute organized a roundtable discussion on "Climate Adaptation at the local and national level". The event was hosted by the American Security Project and profiled the contributions to the field of two members of the Emerging Leaders in Environmental and Energy Policy Network (ELEEP). ELEEP is a transatlantic network of young professionals working in energy and environmental policy operated by Ecologic Institute and the Atlantic Council. There were approximately 25 attendees from government, private sector, and academia.
Jan Ahlen, ELEEP Member and the Government Relations Representative from the National Farmers Union(link is external), gave a presentation focused on the findings of a recent NFU-supported report that lays out a pathway for addressing climate change in the agricultural sector through 2025.
Andrew Holland, ELEEP Member and Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate at the American Security Project, followed up by discussing how climate change presents a threat to America’s Homeland Security. Holland clearly showed that extreme weather, particularly on the coasts, presents severe threats to infrastructure, economic well-being, and health.
Following the presentations, the attendees discussed how governments might incentivize climate adaptation, as well as how government policies can create both good and bad options. Among the options discussed were: the Dutch experience with long-term planning; the potential role of modern technologies for empowering citizens and local governments to assist with climate adaptation measures; and the fact that there are no ”one-size-fits-all” approaches, rather workable options will differ based on geography, country, and culture.
