Book

In an era where the impact of climate change in local communities has become more glaring, "Investing in Resilience: Environmental Economics and Infrastructure Planning for a Changing Climate" offers a dynamic blueprint for addressing socially complex environmental challenges. Drawing inspiration from leading thinkers like Vaclav Smil and groundbreaking studies on climate resilience, this book explores how communities can tackle systemic threats to energy and water resources. Through a compelling narrative, the book introduces a two-pronged approach to invest in community infrastructure in the face of a rapidly changing climate: first, by identifying and prioritizing equitable coastal resilience indicators, and second, by harnessing the innovative Watergy model – a dynamic tool designed to evaluate the long-term socioeconomic and environmental trade-offs that come with sustainable resource management. Readers will journey through real-world examples, from underserved coastal cities threatened by High Impact Low Frequency climate-related events to urban areas grappling with the dynamic demands of modern energy transition. With a focus on economic strategies, this work emphasizes the importance of applying economic frameworks to address the multifaceted social and environmental challenges posed by climate change. As communities face increasing pressures from both natural disasters and resource depletion, “Integrated Infrastructure Planning" challenges us to rethink our relationship with energy and water systems, guiding decision-makers, industries, and individuals through a path of economically viable, equitable, resilient, and sustainable solutions. This book is a call to action for anyone seeking to contribute to a world where economic growth is no longer at odds with environmental stewardship. Will we find the environmental and economic balance needed to secure a livable planet? This book provides the tools and insights needed to turn that question into action.