6. Examining the Intersection of Sustainability and Resilience

The objective of the sixth chapter of the book is to evaluate the effects of climate resilience, resilience, climate preparedness, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation planning processed. Climate change generates further challenges for local governments demonstrated by extreme and unpredictable weather. While the impacts of the climate change are region specific and are diverse in intensity and the impact levels, they affect all aspects of communities. This chapter describes the intersection between sustainability and resilience and how the resilience planning connects to sustainability planning within local governments. Furthermore, it evaluates strategies utilized by local governments to integrate climate resilience and preparedness into short-term and long-term organizational planning. Finally, the chapter offers an overview of the appropriate steps to integrating climate change strategies into emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation. The ultimate goals of climate resilience planning are a reduction of the operational costs, decreased negative impact on the environment, positive social effects on communities, and improved governance.