City of Chicago preparing for warmer times ahead

We noticed this interesting story in The New Times today about the City of Chicago, which discusses their efforts to prepare for long term climate change. (As it happens, the image they used was of the Chicago City Hall’s green roof, a project we were involved with years ago.)

Here’s an excerpt–

“Cities adapt or they go away,” said Aaron N. Durnbaugh, deputy commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment. “Climate change is happening in both real and dramatic ways, but also in slow, pervasive ways. We can handle it, but we do need to acknowledge it. We are on a 50-year cycle, but we need to get going.”

Across America and in Congress, the very existence of climate change continues to be challenged — especially by conservatives. The skeptics are supported by constituents wary of science and concerned about the economic impacts of stronger regulation. Yet even as the debate rages on, city and state planners are beginning to prepare.

See the full story here.