Infrastructure systems are vulnerable and sensitive to two threats:
(1) extreme weather events (heavy rainfall, strong winds, cyclones, droughts, etc.).
(2) long-term climate variations, which influence average weather conditions.
The present events seem to indicate that future climates will resemble present
ones, albeit with different (increased?) likelihoods and intensities. Weather conditions can decrease infrastructure service quality, quantity or reliance, and can
necessitate infrastructure retrofit. Therefore, when these two threats act in conjunction, infrastructure resilience should be viewed in a new light.
In the United Kingdom, the Parliament has voted the Climate Change Act 2008,
with an aim for the country to change into a low-carbon economy. The minister will
have the power to propose the necessary measures to attain several greenhouse gas
reduction targets. The same Act has proposed the creation of an independent
Committee on Climate Change to give advice to the Government on the proposed
targets and ancillary policies. A very noteworthy initiative, which could be imitated
in many other countries.
10.2 Climate Change Variables
The climate change parameters that need to be examined are:
• Annual average relative humidity
• Annual rainfall
• Extreme daily rainfall, influencing flood levels
• Extreme maximum temperature, and length of hot spells
• Available moisture, and evaporation rates
• Variation in wet and dry spells, affecting water tables and their levels
• Fine-weather frequency and intensity
• Sea level rise
• Solar radiation levels and exposure
• Intensity of extreme winds
10.2.1 Climate Change Impacts on Infrastructure Sectors
The potential impacts of climate variations on infrastructure are being increasingly
understood, but more detailed evaluations are probably needed to develop and
implement adaptation responses. A few possible impacts on a few infrastructure
categories have been highlighted in Table 10.2. Other impacts may be added to the
other categories.
10.2 Climate Change Variables
283
(1) extreme weather events (heavy rainfall, strong winds, cyclones, droughts, etc.).
(2) long-term climate variations, which influence average weather conditions.
The present events seem to indicate that future climates will resemble present
ones, albeit with different (increased?) likelihoods and intensities. Weather conditions can decrease infrastructure service quality, quantity or reliance, and can
necessitate infrastructure retrofit. Therefore, when these two threats act in conjunction, infrastructure resilience should be viewed in a new light.
In the United Kingdom, the Parliament has voted the Climate Change Act 2008,
with an aim for the country to change into a low-carbon economy. The minister will
have the power to propose the necessary measures to attain several greenhouse gas
reduction targets. The same Act has proposed the creation of an independent
Committee on Climate Change to give advice to the Government on the proposed
targets and ancillary policies. A very noteworthy initiative, which could be imitated
in many other countries.
10.2 Climate Change Variables
The climate change parameters that need to be examined are:
• Annual average relative humidity
• Annual rainfall
• Extreme daily rainfall, influencing flood levels
• Extreme maximum temperature, and length of hot spells
• Available moisture, and evaporation rates
• Variation in wet and dry spells, affecting water tables and their levels
• Fine-weather frequency and intensity
• Sea level rise
• Solar radiation levels and exposure
• Intensity of extreme winds
10.2.1 Climate Change Impacts on Infrastructure Sectors
The potential impacts of climate variations on infrastructure are being increasingly
understood, but more detailed evaluations are probably needed to develop and
implement adaptation responses. A few possible impacts on a few infrastructure
categories have been highlighted in Table 10.2. Other impacts may be added to the
other categories.
10.2 Climate Change Variables
283