Thread by @tqmurdock

This report on possible impacts of climate change on the Coquihalla done over a decade ago found 14 high priority risks - every single one relating to extreme precipitation from Atmospheric Rivers www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/dri… #BCStorm 1/?

That report inspired some focused work on future projections of and risks related to Atmospheric Rivers pacificclimate.org/sites/default/… #BCStorm 2/?

This in turn led to BC'd Chief Engineer championing requirements to take climate change into account as he talks about in this video produced for BCs engagement on our adaptation plan #BCStorm 3/?

So why does it seem like we were unprepared when we've been talking about it for over a decade? Because there's a ton of inertia in our planning, operations, design standards - assumptions of historical climate are insidious and baked in all over the place #BCStorm 4/?

Everyone. Yes, everyone. This means you. Everyone needs to stop and really think about how a changing climate might affect the work you do and where those sneaky assumptions of a past climate might come in. #BCStorm 5/?

Ask yourself some "what if" questions about how you could prepare for more of what we've seen this year with extreme heat, wildfire, and extreme precipitation related flooding but don't stop there #BCStorm 6/?

Think about spring freshet flooding, watersheds no longer storing as much snow over winter, lack of extreme cold driving changes in tree and pest species... keep going. Brainstorm. What are the impacts that could affect the things you know a lot about #BCStorm 7/?

And then try to find some information on how likely those impacts may be. This is more possible than you might think though less perfect than you might like. Projecting future conditions is out there and is continually improving. #BCStorm 8/?

We have WAY more detailed information now than in that 2010 report from the first tweet. But just like that report still made specific recommendations despite imperfect information on the future, don't stop if you can't find the exact info you think you need #BCStorm 9/?

Instead make the best estimate of risk you can with the information you have then iterate on the stuff that comes out as a high priority. Ok but where to get that information on future climate? I'm glad you asked! #BCStorm 10/?

There are 3 main ways you can get information on future climate - 1: online data portals, 2: reports, 3: human beings who work at climate services (hello!). For example here in BC the regional climate service provider posted this earlier today pacificclimate.org/news-and-event… 11/12 (?)

Ok so speaking of climate service providers I should get some sleep so I can do a good job at that tomorrow so ending this here but might follow up with some links to portals and reports if enough people think that would be useful 12/12 (for now)