Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineers – Addressing the Knowledge Gaps
Presentation to: APEGGA Annual ConferenceApril 15, 2010Jeff WalkerCanadian Standards Association
Agenda
• CSA and Infrastructure• Survey of Infrastructure Engineers• Training Recommendations• CSA Climate Change Training Resources• Other Resources
CSA Standards
HandbooksSmart CD
Mobile Publications
HandbooksSmart CD
Mobile Publications
SeminarseLearning Courses
Customized Training
SeminarseLearning Courses
Customized Training
Infrastructure Scope
• Potable water• Stormwater• Wastewater• Buildings• Transportation• Energy
… Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical and other disciplines
Climate Change and Infrastructure
Climate Change is one of many factors
Service Expectations
Inadequate Maintenance
Public Health And Safety
Security
Changes in Demographics
Funding
ClimateChange
Infrastructure
Intensification
Survey of Infrastructure Engineers
• National in scope• Assisted by 10 provincial and territorial
engineering associations
I believe that a changing climate will affect my engineering decisions in the near future.
82% 87%83%
42%
40% 45%
38%
35%
51%Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
42%
46% 38%
42%
40%
38%
78%80%88%
Total(n = 2,060)
Water(n = 294)
Transport’n(n = 250)
Energy(n = 340)
Bldgs(n = 310)
Other(n = 866)
By Infrastructure Category:
To what degree do you consider the impacts of a changing climate in your current engineering decisions?
Sometimes Consider
45%
Never Consider
28%
Mostly Consider
18%
Always Consider 9%
I need much more information to enable me to incorporate the impacts of a changing climate into my engineering practice.
By Infrastructure Category:
73%76%
35%
38% 42%
39%
42%
35%Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
31%
47% 39%
38%
29%
37%
66%
77%79%
Total(n = 2,060)
Water(n = 294)
Transport’n(n = 250)
Energy(n = 340)
Bldgs(n = 310)
Other(n = 866)
Preferred Method of Receiving Climate Change Information
Online resources
Published guidelines, best practices, info pamphlets
Articles in engineering publications or journals
Conferences & peer interactions
E-learning courses
30%
29%
14%
8%
5%
14%
Classroom continuing education
Climate Change Knowledge
• CSA consulted with experts• Solutions exist• Applied research exists• Knowledge continues to evolve …• And can be more fully utilized• More research is needed
Climate Change Program of Study
• Flexibility - Menu of options• Integrate Climate Change into other topics• Technical and Non-technical topics• Connect the dots
Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - General
• Risk• Emergency preparedness and response• Financial, social, environmental
implications• Science and impacts of climate change• Multidiscipline planning
Recommended Topics for Practicing Engineers - Technical
• Impacts and adaptations for storm water management
• Adaptations for road drainage structures • Energy efficiency for buildings• Impacts on hydroelectric generation• Adapting to melting permafrost
CSA Educational Resources
Courses• Sustainable stormwater management - Fundamentals• Sustainable stormwater management – Designing road and
parking lot infiltration systems• Emergency management and business continuity• Is climate change changing your business• Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques
Publications• Infrastructure in permafrost – A guide for climate change
Sustainable stormwater management Fundamentals
• In-class instructor led• Identified priority • Advances are not
being recognized• Addresses multiple
issues• Inform not promote
Making standards work for people and business
Stormwater Management: An Overview
Module 1 Issue X, Rev.0 Slide 4 /95
Culvert ImprovementsCulvert Improvements
Major/ Minor System Design
Erosion/Flood Control Works
Runoff Quantity Control
Floodplain Management
Culvert Improvements
Major/ Minor System Design
Erosion/Flood Control Works
Runoff Quantity Control
Floodplain Management
Erosion/Sediment Control
Water Quality
Culvert Improvements
Major/ Minor System Design
Erosion/Flood Control Works
Runoff Quantity Control
Floodplain Management
Erosion/Sediment Control
Water Quality
Fisheries/ Aquatic Habitat
Baseflow Maintenance
Water Temperature
Infiltration
Enhancement Opportunities
Monitoring
Culvert Improvements
Major/ Minor System Design
Erosion/Flood Control Works
Runoff Quantity Control
Floodplain Management
Erosion/Sediment Control
Water Quality
Fisheries/ Aquatic Habitat
Baseflow Maintenance
Water Temperature
Infiltration
Enhancement Opportunities
Monitoring
Woodlots
Wetlands/ ESAs/ ANSIs
Ground Water
Terrestrial Habitat
Geomorphology
Minor System Design
The Evolution of Stormwater Management
Sustainable stormwater management Roads and parking lots
• In-class instructor led• “How to” • Benefits and risks• Analysis methods• Technical / Financial /
Environmental
Making standards work for people and business
Designing Road and Parking Lot Infiltration Systems
Module 3 Issue A, Rev.0 Slide 19 / 153
Design Process Steps
Step 1: Compute the desired aggregate pre and post-
development runoff volume for the site as a whole.
Step 2: Divide the site into its individual impervious and
pervious components.
Step 3: Apply simple equations for each SWM application
(mm reduced and area treated).
Step 4: Progressively work down-gradient from the site,
tracking the progressive accumulation of runoff reduction
volume, taking care not to double count.
Step 5: Compare final post-development runoff volume
achieved over the site to the target, and then treat the
remainder in conventional practice (pond or wetland).
Emergency Management and Business Continuity
• In-class instructor led• Identify critical
infrastructure• Analyze hazards• Assess risks• Develop plans
Is Climate Change Changing Your Business
• eLearning course• Overview
o Science of Climate Changeo Impactso Adapting to Climate Changeo Mitigationo Risks
Climate change adaptation – Tools and techniques
• eLearning course• Desire for action - Unfamiliarity with
resources• Issues and concepts• “Road map” of resources• Overcoming barriers
Infrastructure in Permafrost
• Guideline for decision-makers
• Permafrost is a foundation material
• Climate change alters traditional approaches
• Risk assessments and climate modeling
Other Training Resources
Engineers Canada – PIEVC infrastructure vulnerability assessments
Environment Canada – Understanding global climate model output sessions
Transportation Association of Canada – Guideline for transportation structures in permafrost
NRCan – Dollars to Sense Energy Management Workshops
In Summary
• Climate change affects engineering• Education is needed• One size does not fit all• Information can address multiple issues• Resources exist – but must be used
Climate Change and Infrastructure Engineering
www.infraengineers.ca
Municipal Infrastructure Solutions Program
www.csa.ca/infrastructure
Email - [email protected]