Climate Ready Communities
Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing society, threatening human lives as well as environments and economies. As the impacts of climate change worsen, humans will need to adapt. IISG helps communities, businesses and individuals prepare for the challenges of climate change, including understanding areas that are most vulnerable and how negative impacts associated with climatic changes might be mitigated.
Programs & Initiatives
Southern Lake Michigan Water Level Variability
Although Lake Michigan water levels can vary dramatically over time, recent high water levels have raised awareness of the impacts that fluctuating water levels can have on communities and individuals in the southern Lake Michigan region. This initiative focuses on improving communication about the effects of high, low, and variable water levels as well as ongoing efforts to increase our capacity to adapt to and become more resilient to these changes.
See MoreA Self-Assessment to Address Climate Change Readiness in Your Community
This self-assessment provides local decision makers with a simple and inexpensive method to review potential vulnerabilities to climate trends and to begin the conversation of how and when to incorporate these trends into community planning and projects.
See MoreGreat Lakes Region: Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook
These reports include a climate summary, information on significant events, impacts during the previous season, and an outlook for the upcoming season. Developed by binational Great Lakes partners, these summaries provide a quick and easy way for local officials and others to stay on top of the latest information.
See MoreFlood Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Facilities
Flooding is always hard on a community, but when hospitals, mass transit, utilities, and others that impact the health and safety of residents are under water, these facilities may not be able to provide critical services or may even be forced to shut down. This leaves residents and businesses vulnerable to other threats and makes flood recovery ever more challenging. The Flood Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Facilities is available online to assist critical facilities in evaluating their preparedness for when the next big rainstorm hits.
See MorePublications
Related News
- Underwater ROVs, offshore wind turbines, and climate adaptation: Updates from the 2023 Knauss Fellows
- Meet IISG’s 2023 summer interns!
- Funding opportunity open for 2024-25 research projects
- More Chicago region decision makers are taking action on climate change
- The Helm magazine highlights some key Chicago region water-focused planning issues
Research Projects
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant funds original research projects that support and complement our education and outreach activities. The link below will take you the Climate Ready Communities section of our funded research database, where you will find project descriptions, contact information, and final reports and publications.
See All Related Research & Projects