Adaptations and Policies
Adaptation or mitigation: Elevating homes within a coastal flood zone
adaptation
Three significant climate impacts that we see in Connecticut.
Increased precipitation, rising temperatures, more heat waves, more days of extreme heat, more extreme rainfall events, sea level rise, high-tide/sunny day flooding
What is a Brownfield?
A property where reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
A site that is completely or partially abandoned AND is likely polluted from past human activities.
What can contaminated soil or groundwater do to nearby communities?
Harm human health, limit property use, and affect the environment.
Which hazardous building material is often found in old brownfield buildings?
Asbestos
The two main components used to calculate the "vulnerability" of an asset during a climate vulnerability assessment.
exposure + sensitivity
The main health concerns associated with extreme heat.
degrading mental health, mortality, vulnerable populations, air quality
True or False: All brownfields are abandoned properties.
False.
A partially used property can still be a brownfield, such as an active but underutilized facility.
True or false: Plants and trees can sometimes help clean up contaminated soil.
True (This is called phytoremediation).
What common brownfield contaminant is often found associated with electrical equipment?
PCBs
Two green stormwater practices that are currently being used on the UConn Storrs campus.
Permeable asphalt, pervious interlocking pavers/blocks/bricks, bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, constructed green catch basins
Two climate-driven impacts to human health.
Tick-borne disease, mosquito-borne disease, heat impacts, harmful ‘algal’ blooms, air quality, particulate matter (in air), wildfire smoke, loss of food source, degraded or contaminated food/water
True or False: All Superfund sites are brownfields
False
Name one contaminant or pollutant often found at brownfield sites.
Lead, petroleum, asbestos, PCBs, PFAs, VOCs, etc.
What compound is often found in old gas stations due to leaking underground storage tanks?
What is benzene?
The negative consequences of hardened/armored/traditional shoreline protection.
The level of sea level rise (SLR) we expect to see along the Connecticut coastline by 2050
20 inches
What is the key first step in redeveloping a brownfield?
Conducting an environmental site assessment.
Why are rivers and lakes near brownfields considered sensitive receptors?
Water pollution or runoff contamination can occur from a brownfield site, which may result in damage to aquatic ecosystems and waterbodies used for drinking water
What is the process called that occurs when contaminants move from soil into indoor air through foundation cracks?
The components of a "nature-based" climate adaptation practice.
Replicates natural systems, multiple co-benefits, incorporates natural elements, habitats and processes, infrastructure, healthy ecosystems
The meaning of "resilience" to climate impacts.
Ability to “bounce back”, maintain the health of a community, plan for and respond to impacts
What’s one challenge a community might face when reusing land that used to be polluted?
Cleaning up contamination, cost, safety concerns, getting approval, etc.
Name one environmental benefit when a brownfield is turned into green space or parkland?
Improved biodiversity, reduced urban heat, reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide, reduced storm water runoff (more infiltration into the soil), etc.
What is a type of cleanup option used when contaminants are left in place?
Capping