At times, coastal professionals who are beginning to address emerging climate change impacts may feel like they face an overwhelming task. Climate change is far-reaching, potentially increasing the intensity of everything from nonpoint source pollution to natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding.
However, coastal resource managers around the nation are already making significant strides in tackling the multiple threats posed by climate change. Some states strive to make their communities more resilient to natural hazards. Others have tackled "smart growth" innovations that can help their communities mitigate, or adapt to, the coming changes. Still others are working to reduce runoff and improve water quality.
A publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center, Local Strategies for Addressing Climate Change, spotlights some of the tools, programs, and projects that are already in place to address issues related to climate change. The publication contains articles previously published in the Center's industry magazine for coastal professionals, Coastal Services. These innovative strategies were pioneered by specific state programs and may well be adaptable to other programs or states facing related issues.
Another useful publication feature is a quick reference guide to the types of Center products and services that help coastal professionals address issues related to climate change. These include the following:
- Topographic and bathymetric data
- Data assistance
- Visualization tools
- Social science technical assistance
- Trainings in coastal community planning and coastal inundation mapping
Stories of Success
Some of the local- and state-led strategies featured in the publication include the following:
- Hazards such as flooding—resulting from sea level rise and an increase in the severity of tropical storms and hurricanes—are predicted consequences of climate change. With the debut of the StormSmart Coasts website, Massachusetts is preparing communities to "bounce back" after natural disasters. The Web resource consolidates and simplifies information on everything from hazard identification and mapping to legal information and funding.
- Climate change is likely to increase certain water pollution problems, including polluted stormwater runoff. But sometimes it's hard to persuade homeowners that some simple steps can reduce runoff and improve water quality. In Minnesota, an award-winning website uses real-time stream-monitoring data to paint a picture of what's happening in the Lake Superior watershed. The website also incorporates the data into community information venues, classroom curricula, and case studies, and the site includes a toolkit for reducing stormwater impacts.
- Rhode Island is proactively responding to sea level rise predictions by updating building codes and developing related coastal regulations. These regulations not only explain the science of sea level rise and provide historical data, but they also will help the coastal council and others in the state better manage development and related concerns.
To download Local Strategies for Addressing Climate Change, visit www.csc.noaa.gov/magazine/climatechangestrategies.pdf. To receive a hard copy of the publication, contact Donna.McCaskill@noaa.gov.
