Sunday, October 13, 2013

Delaware and Rising Sea Levels

Several years ago Delaware formed the Delaware Climate Change Steering Committee. In July 2012 this Committee issued a comprehensive 210 page report assessing resources of concern from rising sea levels. Sixteen resources were identified as being of high concern. These included resources such as  beaches, coastal communities, wildlife refuges, tidal marshes, the Port of Wilmington, etc.

This report is available as a downloadable pdf at Made Clear. For the referenced link, scroll down to the 5th report titled, Preparing for Tomorrow's High Tide....Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for the State of Delaware.

The Steering Committee's next step will be to develop adaptation strategies for the resources of High Concern. Adaptation boils down to one of the following three actions:
1. Protection
2. Accomodation
3. Retreat

As time permits in our upcoming class, we will discuss possible adaption strategies for some local resources, like beaches, coastal communities, Prime Hook NWR, etc.

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