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EDF statement of Emily Steinhilber, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Virginia

North Carolina is taking steps to ensure coastal resilience following the storm.

EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

EDF and partners at Cornell University launched a two-part social science study to examine Louisiana residents’ risk perceptions related to coastal land loss and climate change.

While Virginia’s General Assembly concluded its 2022 legislative session with several successes, more work is needed – particularly in securing long-term funding for flood resilience, to protect people and natural resources from flood threats now and in the future. The post Virginia’s Legislature made progress on flood resilience in 2022, but significant work remains. first appeared on Growing Returns.

As we close out American Wetlands Month, here are six reasons why one of nature's richest ecosystems provide value to our lives every month of the year. The post Six reasons why wetlands are vital every month of the year. first appeared on Growing Returns.

By: Kristin M. Kleisner and Jamie Collins As we embark this year on the United Nations Ocean Decade, you may be hearing quite a bit about blue carbon. But what is it, and why is it so important for the future of our planet?  Well, the oceans play a critical role in trapping carbon, and they …

Here are five recommendations for how government leaders can increase the resilience of coastal communities before the worst effects of sea level rise take hold. The post The sea is rising faster than ever. How can we prepare? first appeared on Growing Returns.

Va media statement on NOAA SLR report

NOAA’s National Ocean Service and interagency partners released an updated technical report highlighting the risks facing people living in coastal communities.

Press release on NOAA technical sea level rise report

EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

With a new coastal resilience master plan, Virginia leaders have an opportunity to identify and prepare for climate-induced flood risks that impact all Virginians. The post Nearly 1 million Virginians are at risk of flooding by 2080. The state just released a plan to address that risk. first appeared on Growing Returns.

When it comes to slowing the warming of our planet, there is no substitute for immediate, dramatic reductions in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. But emissions reductions alone won’t be enough to limit warming to the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal at the heart of the 2015 Paris Agreement, or even to the Agreement’s upper limit of …

How coastal cities can better fund natural infrastructure and protect their residents. The post Virginia Beach’s new flood bond can be a model for other cities. Here’s how. first appeared on Growing Returns.

EDF Statement from Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

Statement by Will McDow, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Environmental Defense Fund

EDF and nearly 100 organizations send a call to action urging the Corps to usher in a new era of comprehensive and nature-based flood risk reduction.

A new report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides insight into how to do that, showing that natural infrastructure can save hundreds of billions of dollars annually in climate adaptation costs, while delivering the same or better outcomes as traditional, hardened infrastructure. The post Natural infrastructure can address growing climate impacts and save hundreds of billions of dollars annually in the process first appeared on Growing Returns.

Many have established Chief Resilience Officers to provide coordinated statewide leadership to reduce risks, protect communities, and the environment.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just released their “International Guidelines on the use of Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) for Flood Risk Management.” Here’s why that’s a big deal. The post New Army Corps guidelines will expand natural infrastructure to reduce flood risk and more first appeared on Growing Returns.

Here's how Virginia can make flood resilience a reality. The post 3 ways Virginia can continue to advance flood resilience statewide first appeared on Growing Returns.

How policymakers and coastal planners can expand access to flood protection and achieve more equitable results for coastal communities. The post 5 ways federal policymakers can bring equity into flood risk reduction first appeared on Growing Returns.

As the biosphere continues to warm and the ocean acidifies, solving the global carbon problem becomes more critical each day. Keeping temperatures to survivable levels requires reducing emissions while at the same time working aggressively to absorb as much carbon dioxide as possible, using approaches that can nurture natural ecosystems and help vulnerable human communities …

Press release announcing the release of "Keeping Florida, Florida" video series highlighting climate and coastal resilience opportunities in Florida.