Climate Change and Water Impact – The Boston Experience

John Cleveland, Executive Director of Boston Green Ribbon Commission will speak on “Climate Change and Water Impact – The Boston Experience” on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 pm.

Boston is the fourth most vulnerable city in the US to future climate change impacts. Over the last several years, the city has been engaged in deep planning for how to remain vibrant, growing and safe in the face of these expected changes. This presentation will explain how Boston is preparing for expected climate impacts over the next several decades, especially sea level rise and extreme precipitation. The city is expected to experience 3-5 feet of sea level rise by 2100 and it will require a dramatic reshaping of the urban form adapt to this new reality. This process will play out over multiple decades and will present difficult challenges as well as terrific opportunities to reinvent urban life.

John is the Executive Director for the Boston Green Ribbon Commission (www.greenribboncommission.org), a network of business and civic leaders supporting the implementation of the City of Boston Climate Action Plan. The Commission is supporting the city’s long-term climate preparedness strategy through the Climate Ready Boston initiative, and is supporting the City’s long-term de-carbonization strategy through the Carbon-Free Boston initiative. John is also President and a co-founder of the Innovation Network for Communities (INC), a national non-profit organization focused on helping cities achieve carbon neutrality and long-term resilience to climate disruptions. John is also a resident of Tamworth, New Hampshire.