Climate Adaptation and Hazard Resilient Coastal Communities Climate Adaptation in Coastal Communities: A Network Approach to Outreach Workshop November 9, 2009 Eileen L. Shea Chief, Climate Services & Monitoring Div., NOAA/NCDC 1

The nation has made progress in understanding climate change

 Temperature rise  Sea-level rise  Increase in heavy downpours  Rapidly retreating glaciers  Thawing permafrost  Longer growing season  Longer ice-free season in the ocean and on lakes and rivers  Earlier snowmelt  Changes in river flows Observed U.S. Sea-Level Changes Climate changes are underway in the U.S. and are projected to grow

Gulf Coast Area Roads at Risk from Sea-Level Rise Significant sea level rise and storm surge will adversely affect coastal cities and ecosystems; Energy and transportation infrastructure in coastal areas faces increasing risk.

Climate changes affecting coastal and marine ecosystems will have major implications for tourism and fisheries Threats include: – Sea level rise – Increasing water temperatures – Increased storm intensity – Coastal inundation and erosion – Ocean acidification – Incidences of coral disease – Invasion of non-native species Implications for: – Beaches and coastal development – Natural storm protection (coral reefs, mangroves) – Coral reef health – Critical infrastructure – Subsistence and commercial fisheries – Coastal communities and culture

Observed Increases in Very Heavy Precipitation (1958 to 2007) Heavy downpours have increased across the nation and are projected to increase further.

Water and Energy Interactions Various effects of climate change will interact, compounding and amplifying impacts. ©Copyright

Response Strategies “ Mitigation” – reducing the amount of climate change, for example, by reducing heat-trapping emissions or increasing their removal from the atmosphere “Adaptation” – improving our ability to cope with or avoid harmful impacts or taking advantage of newly favorable conditions Both will be needed.

Adaptation to sea-level rise is already taking place in three main categories: protecting the coastline by building hard structures such as levees and seawalls accommodating rising water by elevating or redesigning structures, enhancing wetlands, or adding sand from elsewhere to beaches; and planned retreat from the coastline as sea level rises. Adaptation: Coping with Sea-Level Rise

In the islands, “water is gold.” Effective adaptation to climate-related changes in the availability of freshwater is thus a high priority and can help reduce damage even if island communities cannot completely counter the threats to water supplies posed by global warming. Adaptation: Securing Water Resources

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE RISK REDUCTION D. Wilhite 11

Focus on integrated climate-society system Early & continuous partnership with users essential: – Shared learning & joint problem-solving – Equitable attention to groups of all sizes – Stable, long-term commitment needed Problem-focused approach: – Understand place, context, history and decision making process as well as particular circumstances of specific groups – Useful & usable information responsive to user needs Promote climate literacy and regular communication SOME SHARED LESSONS 12

Products/services need to be on time and space scales relevant to decision-making: – Address today’s problems and plan for the future – Growing demand for decadal information for critical decisions such as infrastructure investments – Enhanced information related to extreme events, including attribution Address both process and products: – Continuous evaluation and adjustment Build on existing systems, institutions, programs, relationships & networks – Expand partnership between science & operations – Engage with trusted information brokers – Capitalize on unique assets, credibility and expertise of partner organizations SOME SHARED LESSONS (Continued) 13

Vulnerability Assessment Adaptation Planning Linking: Global to Local Process with Products Facilitating Dialogue—Bridge to Stakeholders Develop, Deliver & Evaluate Products Extension, Outreach & Climate Literacy Observations and Monitoring Research and Modeling Shared Planning for the Future

PeoplePlacesPossibilities Partnerships Partnerships Understanding Risk & Enhancing Resilience INFORMATION SERVICES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE