Author Archive | Wesley Shaw

Historical and Legal Context for Rhode Island’s Erosion Woes

Insightful thoughts submitted by attorney and Natural Hazard Mitigation Association President Ed Thomas on the NYT Rhode Island article I mentioned yesterday: This extremely important article displays a thoughtful approach to 1) the questions of what we should do about sea level rise and beach erosion; 2) the very real problems we face as a […]

As the Sea Moves Closer, Rhode Island Community Contemplates Retreat

So many striking quotes in this New York Times article, including this one from the frustrated president of the local homeowners’ association: “If we keep doing this [nothing/retreating], Rhode Island will be gone. We’re trying to find a balance. We’re not killing baby seals out here.” What strikes me most about this is how very […]

New NOAA Report Records States’ Coastal No-Build Areas

Today, NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management has released “Protecting the Public Interest through the National Coastal Zone Management Program: How Coastal States and Territories Use No-Build Areas along Ocean and Great Lake Shorefronts.” From NOAA: In the face of continued population growth and increasing economic activity along our nation’s coasts, more devastating […]

Norfolk, Virginia Continues to Battle Sea Level Rise [VIDEO]

A sobering look at how Norfolk, Virginia has moved far beyond debating climate change and sea level rise. When the mayor dares to mention “retreat zones” as an option, you know things are serious. Need a quick video on sea level rise to show your elected officials? Try this. Watch “Rising tide in Norfolk, Va.” […]

NOAA Releases New Report on How Local Communities Can Adapt to Climate Change

Several NOAA offices (CSC, NGS, COOPS, and OCS) have collaboratively released a new handbook to help communities adopt to sea level rise. From the introduction: Just as flooding threats need to be factored into coastal community planning initiatives, so too should sea level change. Unfortunately, the “one size fits all” approach does not work. The […]

Another Climate Change Adaptation Handbook

Haven’t had a chance to review this at length, but here’s what the Center for Climate Strategies has to say about their new handbook: The Center for Climate Strategies Adaptation Guidebook includes a catalogue of adaptation actions, detailed review of state and local adaptation plans and comprehensive methodology and supporting templates for sub national adaptation […]

New(ish) Climate Change Resource Library

The United States Global Change Research Program recently launched a revamped Resource Library for easier, more intuitive access to Federal global change resources.     For those unfamiliar with the organization, USGCR’s Congressionally-mandated purpose is to “disseminate to foreign governments, businesses, and institutions, as well as citizens of foreign countries, scientific research information available in […]

Flood-Response Video Game

Now you’ve seen it all. Happy Friday. (Want to get the game? It’s available here.)