Climate Change Impact & Adaptation - Severe weather events are increasing, with 2024 being the hottest year on record and the National Weather Service issuing 3,000 flash flood warnings by mid-July [6] - Traditional engineering practices assuming stable past conditions are no longer valid due to climate change [10][11] - Adaptation to climate change is imperative, with a shift needed from shallow adaptation (e g, sandbags) to transformative adaptation [11][12][13] Transformative Adaptation Strategies - Transformative adaptation involves creating different physical spaces that collect floodwaters while providing habitat and open space [13] - Resilient Mystic is a plan that uses passive recreation areas for floodwater storage, green stormwater infrastructure, and elevated critical infrastructure [16][17] - Community involvement is crucial in developing resilience plans, shifting from expert-driven solutions to collaborative approaches [18][19] Economic & Policy Implications - Investing in resilience yields a resilience dividend, with multiple cumulative benefits accruing to communities for every dollar invested [20] - Resilience and adaptation require political will, funding, and policy, emphasizing the importance of electing leaders who understand the benefits of resilience [22][23] - Sharing experiences with climate change and promoting transformative adaptation can foster collaboration for a more resilient future [24]