HomeMy WebLinkAboutClimate_Resiliency_PlanningProposal to the Common Council of Oshkosh on the
Creation of a Climate Resiliency Plan
Fleury,L.,Mulder,R.,Pamperin,B,&Ryan,N.
“There is no person or economy left on the planet untouched by climate change”
-Inger Andersen,executive director of the United Nations Environmental Programme
Recommended Action..................................................................................................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................................................3
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................4
Background and Problem Identification....................................................................................................4
Uncertainty...................................................................................................................................................7
Significance of Sustainability......................................................................................................................7
Economic Implications............................................................................................................................8
Social Implications................................................................................................................................10
Disaster Management............................................................................................................................12
Local Impacts........................................................................................................................................13
Benchmarking............................................................................................................................................15
Appleton,Wisconsin..............................................................................................................................15
Duluth,Minnesota.................................................................................................................................15
Edina,Minnesota...................................................................................................................................16
Ann Arbor,Michigan.............................................................................................................................16
Stakeholder Analysis..................................................................................................................................17
Barriers.......................................................................................................................................................20
Cost..............................................................................................................................................................20
Funding.......................................................................................................................................................22
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................24
Appendix.....................................................................................................................................................25
Appendix 1:Climate Action Plans........................................................................................................25
Appendix 2:Charts................................................................................................................................25
Appendix 3:Grants................................................................................................................................29
Appendix 4:Fifth National Climate Assessment..................................................................................29
Works Cited................................................................................................................................................30
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Recommended Action
We recommend the City of Oshkosh develop a climate resiliency plan with the help of an
outside consulting agency.The City of Appleton composed a climate action plan and should be
used as a guide;this plan,as well as those of other cities,can be accessed in Appendix 1.Public
and private involvement will be necessary -after all,climate change will affect us all,and any
implementation of a resiliency plan will affect everyone.Surveys,focus groups,and frequent
community meetings should be held,but it should be understood that the average community
member probably cannot appreciate the full scope of what is to be done.
To manage uncertainty,we recommend frequent updates to a climate resilience plan so
that changing situations can be accurately quantified and understood.We understand that climate
change is a global issue,and thus may seem daunting at times.An effective climate resiliency
plan would span the entirety of the globe,and obviously any one city cannot accomplish this.
Therefore,we encourage you to think as broad as you reasonably can and to look at every facet
that Oshkosh can reasonably face.
Should the city want to pursue nature-based solutions,Raymond et al.(2017)provides a
framework for assessing their effectiveness in urban areas.Appendix 2.4 shows an example
chart of nature-based solutions from Raymond et al.
Additionally,we highly recommend the City of Oshkosh go through the recently-released
Fifth National Climate Assessment (Appendix 4);especially the subsection on the Midwest.This
assessment provides data regarding the effects of climate change and will be useful when
considering a resiliency plan.Oshkosh needs a climate resiliency plan because every inch of this
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planet is already being affected by climate change and taking a proactive approach such as this
will save lives,money,resources,and time.
Key Terms
During the course of the research,many different terms were found that could be considered
confusing and contradictory.To alleviate this,the key terms used in this report are provided and
defined below.
Mitigation -Mitigation is the action of reducing the amount and rate of climate change.The
action of climate change mitigation “involves reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse
gasses into the atmosphere.The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human interference
with Earth’s climate”(NASA 2023).
Adaptation -Relating to preparation and future-proofing.“Adaptation is the adjustment to life
in a changing climate which involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate impacts”
(NASA 2023).The goal of adaptation is to reduce the risks related to the harmful effects of
climate change (NASA 2023).
Resilience -Resilience is “the ability to prepare for threats and hazards,adapt to changing
conditions,and withstand and recover rapidly from adverse conditions and disruptions”
(USGCRP 2023).
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Executive Summary
To reduce the social,environmental,and economic damage that climate change will
cause,we propose that the City of Oshkosh design and implement a climate resiliency plan.
Climate change is a very real threat,and the future is uncertain.A climate resiliency plan is the
best way for the city to prepare for the future effects of climate change.In this report,we look at
other municipalities'climate action plans in order to give a general idea of what Oshkosh can
expect.We also identify local stakeholders,potential costs,and barriers.
Background and Problem Identification
Human caused climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels is globally
recognized as an existential threat (IPCC 2023).There have been and will be massive disruptions
to society which are directly and indirectly related to climate change.Managing,mitigating,and
adapting to these disruptions will be necessary to provide a healthy and reciprocal coexistence
between humans,the natural world,and all of the living entities that exist in these spaces.While
climate change is a global issue,it must be addressed at a local level for real change to be
initiated.
Oshkosh does currently have a sustainability plan that was developed in 2019.However,
we feel that this plan does not do enough to address the potentialities of climate change.For
example,the current plan does not address climate migrants or refugees at all,meaning that the
city is unprepared to deal with the potential influx of migrants,nor the economic growth they
could bring.However,the most important thing to remember is that climate change is
fundamentally uncertain -which is why planning is a necessity.
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Uncertainty
With climate change comes uncertainty.This is normal and expected,as the precise
effects of the climatic events of the future are impossible to predict.The only thing certain is the
uncertainty.Planning for any potential events can lead to a more effective response.Having this
approach is beneficial not just for sustainability,but also for the financial sector.Businesses and
institutes of finance look warily upon uncertainty (Chenet et al.2021).Having a plan in place to
address uncertainty will increase resiliency within and around Oshkosh and will offer a wide
array of potential economic effects.A climate resilience plan will help provide some sense of
security in a time of uncertainty.As we try to prepare for the unexpected,we must also leave
room for adaptation.It is imperative that we work with the uncertainty to create an adaptive plan
that will help ensure our security as a city.
Significance of Sustainability
Despite this uncertainty,there are trends that we can clearly observe.In presenting the
advocacy for a climate resilience plan,we focus on four areas and the issues being faced within
each.We researched and analyzed how these areas can be addressed and contribute to the
sustainability goals of Oshkosh.We cover the economic and social implications of climate
change,disaster management,and the local effects that threaten Oshkosh.
This is an opportunity for Oshkosh to become a climate leader and take a proactive step
towards a future that seems a lot less uncertain.Climate change is often seen through a global
lens that offers a daunting sense of dread because of the sheer scale of the problem.As noted in
Benjamin Barber ’s Cool Cities (2017),focusing on local government action and local change
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shifts the scale of this problem from a daunting scale to a manageable scale.Working to build a
resilient community in terms of adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts offers agency,
which is often stripped away when focusing on climate change at a global scale.
This is an extremely important time for the city of Oshkosh as the city will have to make
a critical decision regarding people being displaced by climate change impacts.As noted by
Marandi and Main (2021),U.S.cities are inevitably going to be affected by climate migration.
Marandi and Main (2021)offer two distinct ways in which cities like Oshkosh can choose to
handle climate change impacts upon the cityscape.The first being,a recipient city –one that
serves as an unsuspecting or unwilling “receiving community”from sudden-onset disasters
without preparation as one way to deal with climate migration.The flipside of this scenario is the
idea of climate destinations –cities seeking to rebrand their communities as “climate havens”
that welcome displaced residents through equitable planning and preparation.Marandi and Main
(2021)outline six characteristics that are common among other climate destinations:(1)More
manageable climate impacts,namely,are not prone to sea level rise or wildfires and prolonged
heat waves;(2)ready access to fresh water supply;(3)high vacancy rates or abundance of
affordable housing;(4)post-industrial,legacy cities with high infrastructural capacity;(5)an
expressed desire to grow and be welcoming;and (6)history of or interest in improving adaptive
capacity through sustainability or resilience efforts.Oshkosh is going to face a pivotal decision
regarding the influx of people through a major wave due to a specific climate change disaster,or
the city may encounter people migrating or emigrating to this region through a slow onset over
the course of the next few decades and the best way to handle this is through a climate resiliency
plan.
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With regional slogans such as “C’mon in”(Fond du Lac),“On the Water”(Oshkosh),and
“One Great Place”(Appleton),it is easy to see how appealing Oshkosh and the surrounding area
may be to someone who just experienced a climate related catastrophe or someone simply
seeking a place with a more stable climate.A climate resiliency plan will prepare Oshkosh to
accept the branding of climate destination and all of the associated responsibilities related to the
climate destination title.The hope here is that Oshkosh does not become a recipient city which is
caught off guard and ill-prepared for an influx of people who have been displaced.
Regardless of an influx of migrants or immigrants,a climate resiliency plan offers many
of the same and immediate benefits for local Oshkosh citizens.Generally speaking,this plan will
strengthen the city as a whole across a variety of different sectors.The city of Appleton created
their climate action plan and are anticipating;increased community awareness and engagement,
a cleaner environment,cost savings,resilience,and better overall health (see Appendix 1).In
addition to the anticipated benefits of such a plan,a city that develops a resiliency plan can also
expect decreased environmental injustices and plans to navigate localized climate catastrophes
(flooding,drought,tornadoes,etc.).
Economic Implications
Natural disasters are some of the most infamous effects of climate change.Some of the
most direct economic impacts will come from such events.Flooding causes damage to
infrastructure which is costly to repair.For example,there was a massive wave of flooding in
2019 which occurred in the states west and south of Wisconsin (Kraft et al.2019,Reed et al.
2020).Estimates of that put the total repair cost upwards of $2 billion.Heat waves are another
threat associated with climate change.If not for their direct impact on human health,they also
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are associated with a decrease in agricultural output (Miller et al.2021,Jarrett et al.2023).This
is bad not only for the livelihood of local farmers,but also because this indicates an effect on our
food production.Heat waves could affect economic output in ways that will only show in the
future (Miller et al.2021).With an estimated 2 degrees Celsius of global warming,the Midwest
is looking to face ten more days per year with temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit
(USGCRP 2023).Resilience preparation can help offset any damages that occur in said
scenarios.
A particular sector at risk is aviation.One of Oshkosh’s most well known events is the
EAA -which brings in millions of dollars to the city.Because of climate change,many of the
facets of aviation are under threat,including air travel,operations,and airport infrastructure
(Burbidge 2018).Planning for this will increase the city’s economic resilience.
With an increase of temperature,we can also expect massive threats to human health.
Neumann et al.(2020)shows that an increase in temperature can be associated with labor
damages;for the Midwest,we could see around $6 billion in labor damage per degree celsius of
warming.Appendix 2.1 shows the per capita economic damage in relation to temperature
change.Taking from the average for the region,a 2.5 degree Celsius increase could cause about
$6.6 million in labor damage for the city of Oshkosh.However,2.5 degrees of warming is by no
means guaranteed.An effective plan will look into all potential ranges of temperature rise.
Potential economic issues are not just limited to the immediate local area.Oshkosh is a
city,and cities do not exist alone.Our global economic system connects us all,and the danger of
climate change is spread unevenly around the country and around the world.This means that
sometimes factors on the other side of the world will affect us.Cities need to take in resources in
order to economically thrive,and the effects of climate change could make that economic growth
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“difficult if not impossible”(Day et al.2014).Outside commodities in the agricultural,metals,
and textiles markets will be greatly impacted because of climate change (Dallman 2019,
USGCRP 2023),it is important that the city has economic policies ready to encourage growth in
local sectors.The recently-released Fifth National Climate Assessment states that future
economic effects of climate change are “projected to be more significant and apparent across the
US economy;”Appendix 2.2 shows how a local economy is affected by climate change.Chenet
et al.(2021)encourages the use of a precautionary financial approach,as the uncertainty of
climate-related risks will not lead to efficient market responses.Preparation is necessary in order
to avoid economic losses or to take advantage of unique situations.There is some evidence that
suggests that climate uncertainty could encourage investment into fossil fuels (Lin &Zhao
2023).Because climate change is caused by the burning of fossil fuels,it would be a bad idea to
let this happen.A climate resilience plan can counter this and potentially encourage other paths.
Because of the likely impact of climate change on economic growth,solutions outside of the
norm are needed.
As part of the process of resilience,looking into alternatives for the economic sector will
be necessary.Raymond et al.(2017)provide a framework to analyze this,and part of that
includes a focus on “green economies”and “green jobs.”Such new green industries will likely
see an increase;their job creation will outpace the losses from fossil fuel industries (USGCRP
2023;see Appendix 2.3).There is also some indication that certain industries will see growth
because of climate change.Oshkosh,in particular,a defense concern like Oshkosh Corporation
is likely to experience growth because of future geopolitical events (Jorgensen et al.2023).
Having a resiliency plan will make sure the city is ready with the right economic actions when
the time comes to take advantage of these opportunities.
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Social Implications
Cities are ultimately where climate change is happening and humanity is at a great risk.A
firm understanding of local social implications is necessary to understand the problems Oshkosh
citizens are facing and how a city can mitigate the risks to protect the vulnerable through the
implementation of a resiliency plan.
Minority populations and low-income citizens are being disproportionately affected by
climate change.Climate change is exacerbating existing health disparities in minority
populations.Extreme weather events,increased temperatures,and changes in air quality can
contribute to respiratory issues,heat-related illnesses,and other health concerns.This ultimately
impacts vulnerable communities more significantly.Minorities are also experiencing economic
inequalities and many weather events can cause damage to property and disrupt livelihoods,
affecting those with fewer resources more severely,and ultimately leading to an economic divide
within communities.Another issue climate change creates is housing vulnerability.Housing is
facing a large strain in the United States,especially in the Midwest.
The Great Lakes region is seeing a notable surge of climate-induced migrants as citizens
are increasingly seeking refuge in the Midwest due to escalating impacts of climate change.With
more than 34 million people in the United States and Canada living in the Great Lakes basin,this
number is expected to grow.The abundance of freshwater resources,strategic location,and room
to accommodate growth is why displaced people find themselves attracted to this region.(Harder
2022).
With climate change creating displacement for vulnerable communities,climate
destinations,or climate havens,are becoming increasingly more popular.Cities in the midwest,
specifically Duluth,MN,are already marketing themselves as a climate haven and have seen an
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increase in their population due to their preparedness for climate challenges.The University of
Minnesota Duluth has created a slogan “climate-proof”for the city as a marketing strategy.
Community leaders are trying to use climate change as an opportunity to spur growth.Since the
location of Duluth and the Great Lakes are more favorable towards climate change,the effects
can be more easily managed.
Oshkosh,having a lack of natural hazards,is unintentionally marketing itself as a place
for new residents to work and live.However,housing is an issue within the United States and
less housing is available for sale or rent than any other time in the last 30 years (Hickey).This
creates implications for a climate haven,as tight housing markets and a lack of affordable
housing will be harder to absorb and accommodate migrants.Climate havens also have to
address rising urbanization.Increased displacement can lead to rising unemployment,higher
competition for services,and also deepen poverty (Hickey).Implementing a comprehensive
resiliency plan is essential for Oshkosh,not only to proactively prepare for new residents but also
to effectively manage the challenges posed by a growing population in the context of climate
change.
Disaster Management
Climate change has moved from a distant concern to a current reality,particularly evident
in the Midwest.We will discuss the regional impacts of climate change on the Midwest,and
highlight the vital role of disaster planning,addressing uncertainty in the Great Lakes region,
engaging with stakeholders,and responding to climate events.Through case studies,including
experiences in Oshkosh,Wisconsin,we uncover how climate-related disasters,and agriculture
sector challenges,shape the region's resilience strategy.We will also examine the broader
economic implications of climate change,emphasizing the need for a comprehensive response.
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The Midwest's experience offers valuable insights for regions globally as they tackle the
multifaceted challenges of a rapidly changing climate.
In our rapidly changing world,cities need to take proactive measures to ensure their
future resilience.Developing a comprehensive climate resiliency plan is a crucial step in this
direction.Such a plan should encompass both the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and
adaptation to the impacts of climate change.By adopting a climate resiliency plan,urban areas
can work towards a sustainable,safer future.These plans serve as blueprints for action,
emphasizing the importance of urban resilience in the face of a changing climate.They guide
cities in reducing emissions,adapting infrastructure,and fostering communities that are better
equipped to withstand the challenges of a changing climate.Through these efforts,cities can
secure a more sustainable and resilient future for their residents.
The Great Lakes region,a vital part of our natural environment here in Wisconsin,has
been experiencing a significant increase in rainfall over the last century,as highlighted by a
report published by the Environmental Law and Policy Center in 2019.The data reveals that
between 1900 and 2015,rainfall in this region rose by 10%,a rate significantly higher than the
nationwide average of 4%.This increase in rainfall presents new challenges,particularly in terms
of flood risk.Understanding this uncertainty in weather patterns and the resulting potential for
floods is crucial for our preparedness.We must be proactive in developing strategies to adapt to
these changing conditions,building resilience in the face of increased flood risks.
The Midwest's response to climate change underlines the imperative of proactive
planning.Regional impacts,such as extreme weather events in Oshkosh and agricultural
disruptions underscores the need for adaptive strategies and community engagement.The
uncertainty of increased flood risk in the Great Lakes region calls for a comprehensive approach,
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including climate adaptation plans,equity-focused solutions,and collaboration with
community-based organizations.Engaging stakeholders and addressing climate injustices,as
seen in Minneapolis'draft plan,demonstrate the power of inclusivity and community-driven
initiatives.Lastly,the economic challenges of climate change stress the interconnectedness of
environmental sustainability and economic resilience.The Midwestern experience serves as a
model for regions worldwide as they navigate the challenges posed by a changing climate.By
prioritizing disaster planning,involving stakeholders,and responding to regional impacts,we can
pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Local Impacts
At the heart of resiliency is revitalization.The three major economic enterprises in
Wisconsin include agriculture,manufacturing,and tourism (Vogeler &Finley,2023).This is an
opportunity for Oshkosh to reflect on the weakest areas within the community and provide
funding and resources to revitalize areas of agriculture,manufacturing,and tourism while
instilling resiliency and new life into every corner of the city.Climate change is going to test
each city to their very limit and now is the time to consider the impacts,analyze the data,and
take action.
Aligning with most other midwestern towns and small cities,agriculture plays a
dominant role within state and local economies while presenting itself as the most common
landscape around Oshkosh and the surrounding area.Climate change is going to impact this
sector in many different ways,some of which can be anticipated,while some will remain obscure
due to the very nature of climate change uncertainty.Through the conventional farming lens,the
Midwest plays a dominant role within global agriculture and the way climate change impacts this
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role will impact the economic aspect of many Midwestern towns and cities.Through the
sustainable farming lens,a more localized approach and the adoption of more sustainable
practices will ensure the agricultural sector remains a dominant player in the economic realm
within the Midwest for decades to come.
Manufacturing and tourism are some of the other economic leaders within the state.
Oshkosh is going to need to consider manufacturing giants such as Oshkosh Truck,4imprint,
Amcor,etc.,within their resiliency plan.Collaboration towards shared goals makes climate
resilience achievement much easier.As host of many tourist attractions such as EAA,Oshkosh is
also going to have to consider the economic impacts climate change is going to have on people
coming to Oshkosh for specific events.
One additional note on collaboration,The University of Wisconsin -Oshkosh recently
worked with Jillian Buckholz who is the sustainability advisor for Brailsford &Dunlavey,Inc.
She drafted a tailor-made climate action plan/decarbonization strategy for the university in the
summer of 2022.Jillian mentioned how advantageous it would be for the city to collaborate with
UW Oshkosh and align on sustainability and climate action work.Jillian said “Although the two
entities function separately,a lot of cross-over (waste-handling,transportation,housing,etc.)
should be coordinated to ensure a larger,more expansive impact.”
Benchmarking
Other municipalities in the Midwest have developed and implemented climate action
plans.This section identifies those municipalities and analyzes their planning process,plan
contents,and plan implementation.
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Appleton,Wisconsin
Population:75,000
The city of Appleton is actively engaged in a comprehensive sustainability initiative,
implementing a wide range of strategies to become a more environmentally responsible and
energy-efficient community overall.When looking at energy conservation,the Parks and
Recreation Department and the Facilities Management Department are taking measures to
upgrade and utilize Direct Digital Controls on HVAC equipment.Additionally,they are replacing
lighting fixtures and lamps with more efficient and cost-effective units,which contributes to
lowering overall utility costs.In terms of transportation,Appleton has made significant progress
in enhancing its sustainability efforts.They have completed the conversion connection between
North Island Trail and the Eagle Point Development,installed various trails and sidewalks,added
bike lanes,and incorporated GPS units in city vehicles for efficient route planning.
The city has also prioritized environmental preservation by focusing on reforestation,
implementing horticultural vinegar for weed control,and utilizing biosolids-compost for
landscaping and athletic fields.Their overall method has been interdisciplinary,and the city is
actively trying to improve their levels of sustainability across a variety of sectors.The only
information that has been challenging to find is the total cost of the creation of the plan,as well
as the total cost of the implementation of their plan.The city of Appleton has released their
official ‘Climate Action Plan’which includes a cost analysis section.The cost analysis section
however provided a financial range,instead of an exact total.See Appendix 1 for Appleton’s
plan.
What we can provide is how Appleton went about creating their plan.Appleton created
the Task Force on Resiliency,Climate Mitigation and Adaptation.This task force’s focus was
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primarily to create this plan and offer recommendations for the city.With the taskforce,Appleton
also utilized several consultants.We are unsure of the final cost of implementation,but we do
know that the plan took a lot of time to create,roughly a year.
Duluth,Minnesota
Population:90,000
Duluth has adopted a climate action plan to reduce emissions 80%from municipal
operations by 2050.The plan has a 1-5 year work plan to set the stage for coming years.
Dividing this work plan into two phases where phase one sets the groundwork,and phase two
focuses on mitigation,resilience programs,and accelerating climate action.This five year work
plan is only the beginning for Duluth.In creating this,Duluth partnered with Common Spark
Consulting to draft a plan for $15,000.Duluth also had help from the Great Plains Institute using
federal funding.
Duluth also has another plan called Imagine Duluth 2035,which is an updated version to
the 2006 Comprehensive Land Use Plan.Imagine Duluth 2035 was adopted in June 2018.This
plan was to focus more on sustainable development and creating a greener community.Imagine
Duluth 2035 tackles issues such as:persistent inequality,non-taxable land and buildings,
challenging geography,aging infrastructure,and lack of efficient transportation and utilities.The
hope with this plan is that it can help provide a glimmer of hope for the citizens of Duluth.
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Edina,Minnesota
Population:54,000
Minnesota has already seen changes to their environment because of climate change such
rising temperatures and heavier precipitation events.These impacts urged the city of Edina to
pass its first Climate Action Plan in December 2021.Incorporating over 200 actions to meet
Edina’s goals by 2030,the plan targets a reduction in emissions.With an 11 month planning
timeframe,the city incorporated a 26 member planning team to create the action plan.This
planning team was able to engage with 23 different partner groups,sought input from 449
community members,and held four online community input surveys.The action plan addresses
8 sectors of greenhouse gas emissions and climate vulnerabilities.This plan is only the
foundation and is still an on-going process to evaluate and advance the city’s climate resilience.
Ann Arbor,Michigan
Population:121,500
Like Oshkosh,Ann Arbor is a college city,but the city is more populous and thus has
more funds to work with.Ann Arbor ’s A2Zero plan was created with the goal of carbon
neutrality by 2030 and consists of six strategies;including renewable energy,electrification,
energy efficiency,and resilience.In particular,the resilience strategy focuses on “ensuring [the]
community can not only survive,but thrive,regardless of what disruptions or changes may take
place”(City of Ann Arbor).Within this goal of resilience,there are many sub goals that each
have their own estimated costs over a ten year period from 2020 to 2030.The most expensive of
these -the creation of Resiliency Hubs -was estimated at around 5 million dollars;the least
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expensive -the implementation of Climate Ambassador Programs -was estimated at around
$350,000.The process for creating this plan involved 70 public events and three large surveys,
and lasted about 90 days (M.Stults,personal communication,October 25,2023).Three
consultants were used in the process:Kim Lundgren and Associates,Farr Associates,and
Elevate.Their planning process took three full time employee positions alongside their hired
consultants (J.Wolf,personal communication,November 14,2023).Since Ann Arbor has more
funding to work with,we suggest that the City of Oshkosh only use Ann Arbor ’s process only as
an outline.
Stakeholder Analysis
To get a better understanding of the many aspects of creating a climate resilience plan,we
talked to local stakeholders within the community.These stakeholders provided valuable insight
and showed,ultimately,that they care about the city of Oshkosh.In our conversations with them,
topics such as importance,concerns,benefits,and barriers were discussed.Each stakeholder
shared their perspectives on an implementation of a resiliency plan for Oshkosh,and most were
in support.
Dr.Misty McPhee,University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Dr.Misty McPhee has been a professor at the University of Wisconsin -Oshkosh since the fall of
2009.She teaches in both environmental studies and biology departments.Misty is also a
resident of Oshkosh,along with her husband,making her a valuable stakeholder for our project.
The topic of sustainability is one that Misty is very passionate about.Misty shared that climate
change is an immediate threat and that action needs to be taken as soon as possible.Concerns
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were also brought up in our conversation as she discussed her worries of increasing climate
events and the city not being able to respond effectively.She hopes a resilience plan would pay
attention to the science that is provided for climate change and also acknowledge long-term
consequences of climate change.Ultimately,she feels that the city would greatly benefit from the
implementation of a resiliency plan.
Bradley Spanbauer,University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Bradley Spanbauer is the Director of Sustainability at UW Oshkosh.He is one of our key
stakeholders not only because he is a local resident,but because he works closely with the city
and has already started working towards a new,potential resilience plan.Brad has been an
immense help with sharing his insights and knowledge to our proposal.Not only does Brad do
work for UWO,he is also a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board for the city of
Oshkosh.Speaking with Brad,he shares how the problems around climate change are great and
immediate,urging for a resiliency plan to be efficient and actionable.He discussed how
implementing this plan would be beneficial for the city by,in simple terms,having a plan.
However,Brad also shared his concerns.The main concern was cost and people not valuing the
importance of a plan.Prioritization is key in making changes.Brad mentions that the technology
and science is readily available to combat climate change,but prioritizing is not happening.Brad
sees the importance of a resiliency plan and believes that having strategies put in place to
respond and deal with climatic events is very beneficial,especially here in Oshkosh.
Jennifer Sattler,Local Resident
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Jennifer Sattler an alumnus of UW Oshkosh who practices alternative agriculture.Having
graduated from UWO,Jennifer and her husband opted to make Oshkosh their permanent home,
captivated by their deep affection for the city.Jennifer spoke on how climate change has already
impacted her agriculture.She discussed in the first few years of farming,they were met with a
lot of water in their yard.Now,she noted that it had only rained one day this past summer.
Scared for the state of her plants and her future of farming,Jennifer is in favor of a resiliency
plan.
Kenneth Osmond,Sustainability Advisory Board Member and Local Business Owner
Ken Osmond is a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board and the owner of the local
business Planet Perk.He believes that a climate resilience plan will address many issues that the
City will face,especially in regards to economic effects.Furthermore,he feels that the best
climate resiliency plan will facilitate coordination at the inter-and intra-county levels.As a
sustainable business owner,he is a major advocate for these types of policies.
Margy Davey,Sustainability Advisory Board Member and Local Resident
Margy Davey is a member of the Sustainability Advisory Board.She believes that the planning
process will help bring attention to the dangers of climate change.To her,investigating and
implementing potential coping mechanisms before they are needed are essential when making a
climate resiliency plan.She feels that the City would benefit from a plan because it would allow
the City to budget over a long period of time.
Brandon Nielsen,Associated Planner
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Brandon Nielsen is an employee for the City of Oshkosh.He believes that it is important for the
City to make informed decisions,which includes being prepared in case of climate events.He
feels that a climate resiliency plan is a good way to accomplish this.Brandon is involved with
the planning office for the City of Oshkosh,so there is a chance that a climate resilience plan
would affect his work.His position within the planning office also allows him to know what
kinds of policies the city is capable of carrying out.
Emma Dziengelski,Assistant Planner
Emma Dziengelski is an employee for the City of Oshkosh.She believes that a climate resilience
plan will provide a framework that future generations could build on.To her,having guidelines,
policies,and goals would be beneficial for the future of the City.Her place within the planning
office of the City of Oshkosh allows her to know what kinds of policies the city is capable of
carrying out.
Barriers
The design of any large scale plan in any city poses a range of barriers.Multiple
stakeholders have brought up the importance of political will.As with any major policy decision,
the costs and benefits need to be examined extensively before any well-informed action can be
made.The cost might be something that becomes a concern,no matter the benefits.Economic
priorities will be high,even if that means overlooking the future in favor of the short term.While
this is an unfortunate reality,it is important to recognize that this is a likely factor in determining
the implementation of a climate resiliency plan.Another barrier is that of time.The longer it
takes for a plan to be created,the less likely it is to be implemented,especially if the process
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would result in a number of the city’s staff working on the plan and away from their normal
duties.Unfortunately,the best plan would require in-depth research and surveying,which takes
time and energy.The City of Oshkosh will have to balance what they choose to design a plan
around.
Cost
To produce a successful,sustainable,and equitable climate resilience plan,baseline
research will need to be conducted to establish an accurate representation of the city’s current
state of affairs.Energy use,infrastructure,demographic data,and future weather models are all
criteria that need to be considered when creating a plan.The city of Oshkosh will then need to
analyze the data and incorporate a plan accordingly to the current landscape to make realistic,
actionable,and specific goals for the city.Consultants should be utilized to help quantify the data
necessary for the plan (for example,Elevate does analysis of energy use by sector).Consultants
may be needed for the drafting of the plan itself.Jillian Buckholz from Brailsford &Dunlavey
fast-tracked a tailor-made climate action plan/decarbonization strategy for the UW-Oshkosh
campus during the summer of 2022.While a specific price regarding consulting costs for a plan
at scale for the city of Oshkosh is hard to tack down as it really depends on the type of plan
drafted,Jillian did mention that she has seen higher education institutions pay for similar plans
that range anywhere from $25,000 -$600,000.Abby Finis from Common Spark Consulting has
drafted plans for $15,000 (Duluth)to $105,000 (Cedar Rapids).Abby also went on to mention,
“engagement is important and a big cost,detailed scenario planning will increase the budget,as
well as what is included (mitigation and adaptation vs.one or the other).I am working on a plan
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now that is about $80k.It includes each of these items.I think $66k could work with a similar
scope if the city took on all the engagement”(Finis,2023).
Ongoing costs will consist of updating goals and maintaining relevant data that is related
to the plan’s initial objectives.While this is very broad,some of the maintenance costs could be
kept lower by updating data points regularly rather than every 5-10 years.Jillian reminds us that
a project such as this can take years,so it will be important to potentially frame ongoing costs
along with upfront costs due to the nature and scope of this project.
Labor and time are going to be one of the most expensive parts of this project.The labor
of collecting data around the city,conducting research,and writing drafts of a resilience plan are
all examples of costs that will be put into this project -how long this step takes depends on the
amount of resources (consultants,staff,etc)available.Using all available staff and resources
could result in the creation of a plan in as little as a couple months.Not using them could make
the creation process last many years.There will be time spent writing grants and hours spent
securing funding for this project.Labor may be an overarching cost that spans between
non-monetary,ongoing,and upfront costs depending on the style of plan the city decides to draft.
Due to the uncertainty of climate change,the risks themselves are impossible to predict,
and therefore offsets are impossible to predict as well.However,a climate resilience plan will
increase the resiliency to such risks.In the economic sector,having a plan minimizes uncertainty,
which financial institutions will appreciate and thus be more likely to invest in the area.The
opportunity Oshkosh is facing in terms of becoming a willing climate haven or a reluctant haven
determines whether the city could expand exponentially in terms of economic opportunity.
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Funding
There is a federal grant offered by the Environmental Protection Agency titled,‘Climate
Pollution Reduction Act.’According to the EPA site,“The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
(CPRG)program provides $5 billion in grants to states,local governments,tribes,and territories
to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other
harmful air pollution.Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act,this
two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants,and
approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.”This grant is divided into
three sections.
a)Section 1:Planning -This program is designed to provide flexible support to states,local
governments,tribes,and territories regardless of where they are in their climate planning
and implementation process.
b)Section 2 :Implementation -EPA has announced two opportunities for $4.6 billion for
CPRG implementation grants –a general competition and a competition only for tribes
and territories.There is extra funding available for this section.
c)Section 3:Training,Tools and Technical Assistance -EPA provides training and technical
resources to support CPRG grantees at the state,municipal,tribal and territorial level.
The direct link for more information about this grant can be found in Appendix 3.1.
A second option for grant funding could be the grant offered by EJ4Climate,
Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience.“The CEC established this grant program in 2021
to fund projects that target underserved and vulnerable communities,and Indigenous
communities,in Canada,Mexico,and the United States,to prepare them for climate-related
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impacts.The EJ4Climate Grant Program provides funding directly to community-based
organizations and seeks to support environmental justice by facilitating the involvement and
empowerment of communities searching for solutions and the development of partnerships to
address their environmental and human health vulnerabilities,including those due to climate
change impacts”(EJ4C,2023).
a)In North America,around 80%of the population resides in urban areas,positioning these
environments as the primary backdrop for the unfolding dynamics of contemporary
climate change and its corresponding responses.Consequently,this urban context could
amplify the resulting impacts.
b)Aligned with this theme,initiatives will be carried out in urban areas burdened by
challenges.Emphasizing community-driven approaches,the strategies will prioritize
empowerment as a central principle.This aims to provide communities and individuals
with increased influence,facilitating the implementation of enduring solutions.The
overarching goal is to enhance resilience to extreme weather events and alleviate the
current disproportionate and adverse health,economic,and social consequences.
The direct link for this grant can be found in Appendix 3.2.
Another link can be found in Appendix 3.3,which is a Wisconsin DNR grant website.
Conclusion
Climate change is the biggest problem of our lifetimes,it is an existential threat.It will
impact all scopes of life -social,economic,and environmental.If we wish to leave a healthy
world for our descendents,it is wise to act now with a positive and proactive attitude.Oshkosh
may not be the first city to experience climate events,but the effects will come sooner or later.
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The uncertainty of climate change makes it vital that the city take action now and prepare,rather
than wait until some future breaking point.Preparation and planning are key,and a climate
resiliency plan would be the best way for the city of Oshkosh to do this.
Appendix
Appendix 1:Climate Action Plans
Appleton’s Official Climate Resiliency Plan
Duluth's Climate Action Work Plan
Imagine Duluth 2035
Edina's Climate Action Plan
Ann Arbor's A2Zero Climate Action Plan
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Appendix 2:Charts
(2.1)Labor damage per capita by temperature change (Neumann et al.2020)
(2.2)Fiscal Risks of Climate Change (USGCRP 2023).
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(2.3)Employment gains in green industries compared to fossil fuel industries (USGCRP 2023).
(2.4)Nature-based solutions chart (Raymond et al.2017).
28
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Appendix 3:Grants
(3.1)Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program
(3.2)Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience Grant
(3.3)https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/Grants.html
Appendix 4:Fifth National Climate Assessment
Fifth National Climate Assessment
Fifth National Climate Assessment;Midwest
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