Transition to living in a disrupted climate
Our climate is already disrupted and many communities are dealing with the consequences. In the last five years we have already seen temperature and rainfall records broken and an upswing in heatwaves and extreme rainfall, droughts, tornados, wildfires and flooding.
The widespread impact of this climate disruption on human, economic and natural systems is already occurring and will worsen, so we need to adapt to this new reality.
Case Studies
Transition underway: The Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120
The Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120 is a joined-up approach to coastal hazards impact management between Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and iwi groups Mana Ahuriri, He Toa Takitini and Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust. It has a focus on long-term workable solutions in order to develop resilient communities out to 2120. Starting in 2014, it has had, at its core, a fully transparent, consultative approach ensuring that stakeholder engagement is comprehensive and consistent throughout the process. Based on high quality data, adaptive pathways for 16 ‘cells’ have been developed, with trigger points for moving to next actions. The OECD has praised the proactive, locally led approach to coastal hazards in the face of climate change and sea level rise and other councils are adopting elements of the Hawke’s Bay model.
Transition underway: RiverLink project
RiverLink is an exciting partnership project which will turn the Lower Hutt CBD into a river-facing city, which will connect cycleways and walkways. The RiverLink project will deliver a new interchange to help with traffic issues which have been compounded with population growth in the Lower Hutt area, and help to overcome the issues facing the current Melling bridge, which is a flood hazard and was built before climate change considerations.
Transition underway: Northland’s water savings
Kaikohe’s drought has caused the town’s two water supplies to run low. However, following serious water saving efforts, the town’s normal water use has reduced by 38 per cent.