Coastal preservation and climate change adaptation - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Coastal preservation and climate change adaptation Slide2

Entry Into Climate

Change Adaption

Surfrider’s 30 years of coastal preservation advocacy applies directly to climate change.

Limit impacts

to

ecosystems, public access & recreation.Limit hard structures so coastal processes can maintain a natural sand flow to the beach/dune= a natural barrier. Focus on:managed retreatincreased setbacks regional sediments plans limited dredge and fill Slide3

Surfrider’s Strategic Approach to Climate Change

Widely educate our supporters, the general public, and decision makers about climate change impacts to our ocean and coast

.

Influence local, state, and national planning efforts to be more ‘proactive’ and incorporate climate change adaptation measures (i.e. managed retreat, increased setbacks, erosion control via “living shorelines”, etc.)

Support the work of other strategic partners to decrease CO2 and greenhouse gases

.Advocate for policy reform (i.e. improve land use policies, emergency responses plans, insurance programs and end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and “redevelopment” in vulnerable coastal areas). Slide4

Coastal and Ocean

Impacts Related to Climate

Change

Sea Level Rise—6 feet by 2100.

More extreme storms

Stronger HurricanesAltered ocean currentsIncreased ocean temperatureAltered ocean salinityBeach ErosionOcean acidificationReduced ecosystem health and increased vulnerabilityLoss of coral reefsPotential loss of surfing wavesSlide5

Coastal Climate Change Impacts

Sea Level Rise

Current global rise (since 1901):

7.4 inches

2100 projected (U.S.): 6 ftWhat causes Sea Level Rise??Melting ice caps (hence more H2O). Warm water expands H20 molecules. Slide6

Ocean Acidification

Carbon Absorbing Oceans

Absorbs 2/3 of CO2

changing ocean chemistry

Sea Butterfly in acidic water for 2100 projections.

Ocean Acidification documented in Maine and the Pacific Northwest. Slide7

Bleaching occurs when symbiotic algae that lives within coral tissues are expelled due to warmer temperatures.

Algae give corals’ color so when algae leave coral, the reef appears white. Slide8

Addressing Climate Change

Push for integration of

SLR science in decision making

M

itigation

measures (Green streets, Ocean Friendly Gardens, emissions reduction, etc.)Advancing Climate Change Adaptation (managed retreat, setbacks, erosion control, “living shorelines”, etc..)Incentivizing Adaptation Measures. (grants, tax breaks for managed retreat, deed restrictions, easements, etc.)Slide9

Resilient Retreat

Inevitable

! “Managed retreat is one of the only true options for adapting to looming sea level rise, ” said Professor Gary Griggs at a UCI Adaption Conference.

Moving Infrastructure

is

more cost effective than continual armoring. City of Imperial Beach’s long-term assessment of using managed retreat over armoring. Study concluded that by 2100, City will spend nearly five times as much on armoring compared to managed retreat. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reminds us that in face of sea level rise every $1 spent on reducing the risks from disasters now will save around $7 of damages later. Slide10

Lighthouse Beach

Coos Bay, OR Slide11

Body CopySlide12

Can’t Move it

…Manage it.

Watershed and dune restoration to prevent erosion.

A

dvocating for “

Living Shorelines” that encompass natural shoreline stabilization techniques made up of natural elements (e.g., vegetation , oyster reefs, buried/anchored logs, sills, etc) for added stability. Living shorelines maintain continuity of the natural land-water interface and reduce erosion while providing habitat value and enhancing coastal resilience. Living shorelines can reduce armoring, but do not work in all situations, and can be expensive.In order to pursue Living Shorelines, partner

with experts

and local municipalities. Slide13

Surfrider Dune Planting and Cleanup

Efforts

Post

Hurricane Sandy Slide14

Influencing Decision Makers

Surfrider has been working with state agencies, academics and other experts

to strengthen planning documents.

Best approach! Go to planning commission meetings!

Read local land use and zoning ordinances, state laws, and current policy changes.

Advocate for broader policy reform (improved emergency responses plans, insurance programs and end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and “redevelopment” in vulnerable coastal areas). Slide15

Washington

Planning Example

Shoreline Master

Program

State mandated

& developed by countiesPrioritize access, restoration plans, identifying critical areas.Surfrider is an official stakeholder in process. Goals:Protect natural resourcesIncorporate adaptationBuild Climate resilient communitiesSlide16

“This legislation brings much needed reforms to better protect the taxpayers who support Property Insurance. Additionally, this law protects the environment by removing subsidies for new construction in environmentally sensitive coastal areas.” 

Governor

Scott

Law ends state subsided insurance for new construction or “improvements” seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line or within the Coastal Barrier Resource System.

Florida Policy Reform Example Slide17

Reading the Oceans

A

surfboard fin that measures

temps, acidity, salinity, GPS.

Data is recorded on the fin and uploaded using a Smartphone app

after each surf session.Collects coastal ocean chemistry data in places where it is difficult to place traditional sensors.Engages citizens in ocean science through the power of surfing

.

Could help to ground truth satellite temperature measurements and inform

acidification and coral bleaching.Slide18

Thank you!