Community Climate Resilience Assessment in a Rural Pennsylvania Community

Keywords: Campus, Community, Resilience, Survey, Demographic, Climate, Pennsylvania
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Community assessment and engagement is a key part of Shippensburg University’s commitment to climate leadership. This presentation provides insight to the perceived and quantitatively appraised needs of the Shippensburg school district and the larger area comprised of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties in Pennsylvania. Social vulnerability and hazard exposure were used to quantitatively assess the strengths and weaknesses of the four county region. To assess vulnerability and social resilience, an ArcGIS Dashboard was created to visualize ten demographic factors that were compiled to create an overall vulnerability index. To assess exposure, the FEMA National Risk Index data for expected annual loss from local climate hazards were compiled and analyzed. A survey was then issued throughout the Shippensburg Area School District area in both print and digital formats to learn how the community perceives its own needs. Climate hazard exposure appears highest throughout Adams County and in southeast Franklin County, while demographic vulnerability aligns more closely with urban boundaries. Data for the local Shippensburg area suggests that it has low hazard exposure and social vulnerability. In the survey, there are some matching inconsistencies between perceived hazards and likely dangers. For instance, the community appears very worried about tornadoes, which are a rare occurrence in the area. The community appears most concerned with air quality, governance, and human health and safety. In terms of ability to fight climate change, respondents have high confidence in experts and scientists and in government.