Using $2.5 million from an environmental violation settlement, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Friday announced the creation of the Institute Community Resiliency and Climate Adaptation at UConn to better prepare businesses for the impacts of severe weather and rising sea levels.
The center, which will be located at UConn’s Avery Point Campus in Groton, will use scientific research to create concrete local actions for businesses, residents, and communities to adapt to the changing climate and improve the sustainability of Connecticut’s coastline and inland watersheds.
Malloy first envisioned this institute in a special act passed during the 2013 legislative session and got the program jumpstarted because of a $2.5 million court settlement in December with the Unilever manufacturing plant in Clinton, which faced charges of violating its wastewater permit. UConn and the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection are seeking addition funding for the institute.
The institute will study the local impacts of climate change; develop strategies to protect against major weather events; recommend protections for roads and the electric grid; design funding options for business and home improvements; provide workshops of local officials; and increase the public’s understanding of climate change.
