Sensitive to Sea-level Rise? New Report Sheds Light
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with NOAA and U.S. Geological Survey, recently released a report that discusses the impacts of sea-level rise on the coast, coastal communities, and the habitats and species that depend on coastal areas, with a focus on the eight coastal states from New York to North Carolina.
Sea level is rising, and there is evidence that the rate of rise is accelerating. Climate change is likely to speed up the rate of sea-level rise during the next century. From increased flooding of low-lying areas, to greater impacts from coastal storms, eroding shorelines, and the conversion of wetlands to open water, rising seas can have serious impacts on coastal communities and habitats.
The report, Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region, uses scientific literature and policy documents to describe potential changes to barrier islands, wetlands, other coastal habitat, and vulnerable species; societal impacts and implications of sea-level rise; decisions that may be sensitive to sea-level rise; opportunities for adaptation; and institutional barriers to adaptation. It also outlines current coastal policy in the mid-Atlantic region and describes the implications for the other regions of the United States. The report also discusses opportunities for natural and social science research to enhance understanding of potential impacts of sea-level rise and society’s ability to respond.
Key findings