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EDF study estimates the potential impact of interpretations of the 2023 Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency ruling on federal wetlands protections, using a qualitative measure of wetland “wetness” as a proxy for the new requirement.

New peer-reviewed analysis by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), published by Science, reveals that millions of acres of critical wetland habitat have lost vital protections in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court of the United States majority opinion (Sackett v EPA) that drastically narrowed the scope of wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act.

Climate change impacts threaten the stability of the US housing market. In response to growing concerns that increasing costs of flooding are not fully captured in property values, the authors of this study quantify the magnitude of unpriced flood risk in the housing market by comparing the empirical and economically efficient prices for properties at risk.

EDF statement of Rachel Rhode, Manager, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Florida

In 2023, a Supreme Court ruling (Sackett v EPA) quietly and significantly put our Nation’s wetlands at risk by drastically narrowing the scope of wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act. An analysis from EDF sheds light on potential impacts.

Report from EDF and RPA, in collaboration with other stakeholders and partners, provides a set of indicators and metrics that can be used to measure a community’s resilience across a specific geography.

By: Rachel Rhode, Manager, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds and Eve Cooke, Fellow, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds Buying a home is often one of the biggest financial decisions individuals and families will ever make. More than one-third of Florida properties are at risk of severe flooding in the next 30 years, and despite these …

Following the Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court decision in May 2023, millions of acres of wetlands across the U.S. lost critical federal protections they once had under the Clean Water Act The post Our Nation’s wetlands are at risk. So is our ability to manage flooding. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Wetlands are a vital part of our ecosystem. They provide critical flood protection, helping safeguard against damage from hurricanes. But they are in danger and need our help.

Passing a regulatory requirement for a seller or landlords to disclose a property’s flood risks or past flood damages (i.e., a “flood disclosure” law) would encourage Floridians to make fiscally informed decisions about flood risk before renting or buying.

EDF story map shows how states are using natural infrastructure to address climate impacts.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established by the United Nations General Assembly to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience. In the United States, this day comes on the heels of a major blow to our Nation’s wetlands. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to narrow the scope of protections for wetlands, as defined in the Clean Water Act. As result, this landmark decision could cause detrimental impacts to the environment, communities and economy. The post On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, protecting the Nation’s wetlands is more important and urgent than ever first appeared on Growing Returns.

Wetlands can be powerhouses for climate adaptation and resilience. This World Wetlands Day, we are highlighting one type of wetland that impacts people the most – coastal urban wetlands. The post Three ways to take bold action to protect urban coastal wetlands first appeared on Growing Returns.

Joint study released by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Ricardo PLC, examines the potential marine environmental impacts of ammonia spills during its use as a shipping fuel.

This is one of three reports produced by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) ocean science team as part of a two-year EDF project on natural climate solutions (NCS). The present report attempts to describe the state of the science, including key uncertainties, surrounding interventions based on restoring and protecting coastal blue carbon ecosystems.

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.

EDF guide to blue carbon, the carbon stored in ocean waters and the sediments and plants of coastal habitats.

This report is the result of an EDF-led collaboration that included active CROs as well as officials from states that have been exploring creating a CRO. In addition to recommendations for establishing and supporting these positions, the roadmap outlines how the role of CRO originated and how states have established these positions over time.

This report was prepared to assist Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in providing recommendations to FEMA about how a new loan program resulting from the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act can be structured to encourage nature-based solutions.

Letter to OMB Acting Director Shalanda Young for advancing equity and support for underserved communities.

Letter to Administrator Criswell on opportunities to increase equity in flood resilience. 

Stakeholder presentation for National Academy of Sciences grant to examine and address the vulnerability of petrochemical facilities along Galveston Bay to flood-induced chemical spills and releases.

Climate change is making hurricanes stronger, wetter, and more likely to intensify rapidly. Learn how we can combat this with wetland restoration here.

It's time for North Carolina to lead on climate mitigation and resilience to protect the state's residents, economy and ecosystems. This EDF report outlines four resilient policy proposals.

Florida can establish a meaningful and unified resilience effort that creates a safer, more prosperous and equitable future for all communities.