Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
244 Challenges and Opportunities Acknowledging that our increasing popula on is an outcome of being part of an economically thriving region, Cary has a respon- sibility to balance and mi gate, to the greatest extent possible, the environmental impacts of our growing residen al and com- mercial communi es. To reduce these impacts, we can pursue incen ves and make changes to our development regula ons to support the community. One example is allowing denser devel- opment in key areas to help to mi gate the impacts of sprawl. As the community con nues to evolve, we must meet the needs of today without compromising our ability to meet future needs. Threats and Vulnerabilities More people wan ng to move to Cary, combined with fewer chil- dren wan ng to leave Cary when they become adults, creates the need for more housing, retail, and workplaces. This increased development can impact our natural systems. Higher popula on is typically expected to lead to more energy consump on, solid waste, traffic, air pollu on, and impervious surfaces, as well as the poten al fragmenta on of exis ng open space important to wildlife. However, Cary seeks to balance the effects of a grow- ing popula on with efforts to reduce consump on and manage, conserve, and innovate on behalf of environmental quality and health. Climate Change Climate change is an urgent challenge facing our community. Shi ing temperature and rainfall pa erns have led to more frequent occurrences of heat waves, heavy rain, and drought, each impac ng Cary's residents in various ways. These changes in climate are primarily a ributed to the increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere. To effec vely address climate change and its consequences, our community must reduce emissions associated with burning fossil fuels for hea ng and cooling buildings and powering vehicles, prevent improper waste disposal, and protect and enhance open space. Cary will play a pivotal role in climate adapta on efforts by lead- ing the transi on to cleaner, more efficient systems of energy, transporta on, and infrastructure; this will ensure that we are prepared for growth and changes in the years ahead. Rainfall Intensity and Drought In the last 50 years, Cary and the surrounding region have experienced a significant increase in days with over 100-degree temperatures. On a global scale, the last 10 years have been the warmest period on record. This rising temperature trend is a major catalyst for extreme weather events that have various local impacts. As the world warms, the addi onal heat accelerates evapora on. At higher temperatures, clouds have the capacity to retain more moisture, increasing the likelihood of intense, heavy downpours when they reach their holding limit. This shi can result in an overall increase in rainfall, characterized by less fre- quent but more substan al rain events. Simultaneously, height- ened evapora on draws more moisture from the soil, causing deeper and longer droughts. The frequency of drought periods is projected to escalate due to rising temperatures and less fre- quent rainfall. Combined, these trends impact our environment's ability to absorb the moisture, emphasizing the con nued need to prepare for weather-related events. Cary is looking to mi gate these effects through our approach to adap ve stormwater, balancing impervious surfaces with reclaimed open space, and providing shade to reduce heat islands. North Cary Water Reclama on Facility ou all into Crabtree Creek. A er treatment and disinfec on, the water is discharged into Crabtree Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River, in a manner that protects the receiving streams from pollutants and contamina on. 8. ENRICH