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Roseville 2040 Chapter9: Resilience and Environmental Protection <br />5. RESILIENCE <br />Background <br />According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, increases in the global <br />surface temperature and changes in precipitation levels and patterns are expected <br />to continue and intensify for decades, regardless of mitigation strategies currently <br />being implemented. In turn, these changes in climate have impacts on the <br />economy and health of local communities. <br />Weather and climate shape our economy. The National Aeronautics and Space <br />Administration (NASA) explains that weather represents the conditions of the <br />atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate represents how the <br />atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time. Temperature impacts <br />everything from the amount of energy consumed to heat and cool homes and <br />offices to the ability for some workers to work outside. Temperature and <br />precipitation levels not only determine how much water we have to drink, but also <br />the performance of entire economic sectors, from agriculture to recreation and <br />tourism. Extreme weather events, like tornadoes, hail storms, droughts, and <br />inland flooding can be particularly damaging. In the decade from 2007 — 2016, <br />extreme weather events have caused 51 deaths and more than $624 million in <br />property damage in Minnesota. This compares to nine deaths and $263 million in <br />property damage from 1980 — 1989 (NOAA National Centers for Environmental <br />Information). <br />In addition, climate conditions affect the quality of life and life safety of <br />communities — particularly those populations especially sensitive to climate <br />impacts. Extreme weather events linked to climate change have the potential to <br />harm community member health in numerous ways. Rising temperatures, for <br />example, can result in a longer -than -average allergy season, erode air quality, and <br />prolong the stay and increase the population of insects, increasing the risk of <br />vector -borne diseases. Climate impacts also exacerbate economic challenges that <br />can directly impact the ability of at -risk populations to cope, while creating more <br />exposure to dangerous living/working conditions and poor nutrition. <br />Strengthening community resilience is rooted in an ongoing assessment of <br />potential vulnerabilities, anticipation of potential climate impacts, development <br />and implementation of strategies to address those vulnerabilities, and <br />communication and outreach to the members of the community. <br />Chapter9 I Page <br />