Definitions for climate and sustainability terms

As used in this chapter, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended: “Adaptation” means the process of observing changes in social, environmental, and economic systems and adjusting operations with a trauma informed approach to meet present and anticipated future needs. “Climate change impacts” means the effect on social, economic, and environmental systems that are caused by human-driven climate change including, but not limited to, increases in natural disaster severity, unstable and extreme weather patterns, and loss of native ecosystems. “Environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. “Equity” means the consideration of cumulative impacts on lower- and middle- income individuals and historically marginalized groups during all aspects of decision making, including and not limited to assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. “Mitigation” means actions and strategies aimed at reducing the risk of harm and damage to human communities, natural ecosystems, infrastructure, and the economy due to the impacts of climate change. These actions and strategies shall include but not be limited to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. 37-1 SUPP. 16 (7-2024) “Office” means the office of sustainability, climate, equity, and resilience. “Resilience” means the ability to withstand social, environmental, and economic shocks and stressors with minimal human, environmental, and economic costs, risks, and damages. “Sustainability” means a balanced approach of managing present day environmental, social, and economic needs and maintaining a healthy lifecycle through a trauma informed framework to fulfill the needs of current populations that does not compromise the needs of future generations, and ensures harmony between economic growth, environmental systems, and social well-being. “Trauma” means an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. “Trauma informed” means an approach to service provision that infuses knowledge about trauma into agency programs, policies, and procedures to promote the safety and well-being of clients, visitors, staff and volunteers by actively resisting the re- traumatization of participants, individually and as a whole. (2023, ord 23-56, sec 3; am 2024, ord 24-8, secs 3 and 4.)37-1-3