Why Public Utility Commissions Will Need to Integrate Climate Adaptation into Utility Regulations

01/25/23

“Why will public utility commissions need to integrate climate adaptation into utility regulations?”

Climate change has arrived. Vast swaths of California are burning. Bangladesh is flooding. The Sahel is turning more and more into a desert. Utilities are going to have to adapt to this new paradigm. However, if there are no regulations to govern them, they might propose solutions that don’t benefit their customers. For example, they could harden their infrastructure to climate pathways that are considered too extreme by most scientists, just so they can extract as much money as possible. To solve this, public utility commissions will have to step in and enforce regulations on these organizations. Actions to undertake this range from bringing climate adaptation matters into rate case proceedings to forcing adherence to particular standards. This is Why Public Utility Commissions Will Need to Integrate Climate Adaptation into Utility Regulations

Why Consensus Building is Vital to Avoid Climate-Induced Conflicts

01/19/23

“Why is consensus building vital to avoid climate-induced conflicts?”

Climate change is going to lead to the deprivation of resources. Drinking water will dry up, farms will be ravaged, and living conditions over the world will turn more unbearable. With more constraints on how we are going to live, conflicts are going to arise. For example, agricultural failure may drive communities to raise their livestock in new regions. If not managed, this could strain the resources in those parts and induce conflict between the original and arrived groups. One tool communities have to take care of this is to convene stakeholders and work to build agreements and consensus. By establishing an agreed-upon solution, groups can feel satisfied with the new arrangements and build their lives. This is Why Consensus Building is Vital to Avoid Climate-Induced Conflicts.