Resolving to address Hampton Roads sea level rise

Tidal flooding in Norfolk. ( Eric Levy, NewsChannel 3 )

 

Hopefully the resolution will pass in a strong form, but sea level rise is not the only negative effect of Virginia relying on fossil fuels. Coal-burning power plants not only put out greenhouse gases, they emit heavy metals that contaminate water and make fish from local rivers unsafe to eat. They cause asthma and disproportionately affect lower income and minority Virginians with the health effects of living in polluted communities downwind of these toxic facilities.

Returning to the conclusions that the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change made, we need to think hard about what our energy system is doing to our coastal areas and what we need to do differently. Then we’ll address a big cause of sea level rise, and a host of other problems, and not just treat a symptom.

 

Tidal flooding in Norfolk. ( Eric Levy, NewsChannel 3 )

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Chesapeake Bay Program says Bay will rise 2.3 ft

chesapeake bay
Letter from from Skip Stiles, Wetlands Watch

The federal Chesapeake Bay Program yesterday released a study on climate change impacts on the Chesapeake Bay that summarizes our best estimates of climate change impacts up to 2100. The paper is solid and has undergone complete peer review – and is being issued by the federal government.

The conclusions are sobering. Fully slamming on the brakes in our green house gas emissions gives us a minimum 2.3 foot relative sea level rise by 2100. When Wetlands Watch first warned Governor Kaine about the impacts of sea level rise in a letter to Kaine in May of last year best estimates of sea level rise started at around 1.5 – 2 feet. Every time we take a closer look we unfortunately get higher estimates.

More troubling are the temperature increases predicted – nearly another 2 degrees C. This warming will force major habitat shifts and produce impacts such as the inability of eel grass to survive in much of a warmer Chesapeake Bay.

This is a clear warning call that we need to 1) dramatically reduce emissions and 2) begin adaptation planning today for the sea level rise and other impacts. With the Governor’s Climate Change Commission starting its final work on its report, there is an opportunity to have an impact there. As well, many local governments are undertaking revisions of their comprehensive land use plans – which include consideration of the natural resource base of the locality. Every one of those plans should include consideration of these coming changes.

Skip

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Skip Stiles
Executive Director
Wetlands Watch

Rising sea level floats all boats!

Love the Chesapeake Bay? Great! Because there will be more of it! Nearly 200 square miles on the Maryland coast alone!

A 3-foot increase in the Chesapeake water level later this century will be a boon to the oystering industry, says a new report on climate change commissioned by Maryland governor Martin O’Malley.

The report was also good news for those who will be retiring near the end of this century. There won’t be a need to relocate to Tampa for retirement, far away from grand kids and bridge buddies; Maryland’s climate should mirror that of the popular retirement destination by 2100, according to the report.

With a temperature bump of up to 9 degrees, summer-long heat waves and a projected 24 days over the 100 degree mark, happy days are on the way for ice cream truck drivers.

But as usual, some nay-sayers couldn’t help but look at the report from a bleak angle. Asked about her opinion of the report, Madeline Sampson, a local systems analyst responded, “Um, half of Annapolis is going to be underwater.”

Glass-half-empty types aside, Maryland stands to benefit immensely from the human-induced alterations to the subtly balanced equilibrium of Maryland’s natural climate and coastline.

Sales of sand, sand bags, shovels and flood insurance are expected to rise steadily over the coming years, good news in these times of economic uncertainty.

Asked for his opinion of the report, local houseboat retailer Joel Hardiman replied, “This is really great news. All those folks who get flooded out are going to want houseboats. And I’m their man.”

Marine sports enthusiasts rejoiced as well. “I live most of my life on the water, so this will make my drive to the coast shorter,” remarked Sam Masterson, a Bowie resident.

The full report is due to be released in coming weeks. While local lawmakers in the pocket of Big Dry Land may react with measures aimed at slowing the progress of the expanding Chesapeake, national legislators are thankfully expected to supersede any such measures by maintaining the status quo. Continue reading

Letter from Mike: Is climate change stealing your vacation?

58% of the Chesapeake beaches will be lost to sea level rise unless we do something about climate change.

If this Memorial Day weekend is anything like the last, about 350,000 people will cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, many headed to enjoy the beaches of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Yet a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation paints a shockingly stark picture of the fate of our beloved beaches thanks to global warming and with a click of a button, you can help stop it.

NWF’s report, Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Habitats of the Chesapeake Bay, finds that the region could lose more than half of the beaches along its ocean coasts. No, that’s not a typo. Fifty-eight percent of the region’s beaches could completely disappear due to sea level rise caused by global warming. Read the report summary here>>

Yet this terrifying statistic is NOT a foregone conclusion. Maryland has already made some remarkable steps towards addressing global warming. With Governor Martin O’Malley at the helm Maryland has passed the Clean Cars Act, enacted strong energy efficiency standards, and committed to reducing per capita electricity consumption 15% by 2015. Yet the biggest step of all, the Global Warming Solutions Act, which would have reduced Maryland’s overall global warming pollution 25% by 2020, was defeated in the Maryland House of Delegates at the very last minute.

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Virginia beaches vs. political will

Washington Post reporter, David Fahrenthold, writes about a new report by the National Wildlife Federation in the news today. It paints a shockingly stark picture of the fate of our beloved beaches thanks to global warming–that the region could lose more than half of the beaches along its ocean coasts. Fifty-eight percent of the region’s beaches could completely disappear due to sea level rise caused by global warming. Read the report summary here>>

This report comes out as we enter into a new phase of our campaign to stop the coal-burning plant in Wise County. Kaine is about to appoint two new members of the Air Board, a body which reviews permits for polluting facilities. There are no requirements for appointment; merely that a “significant portion of their income within the previous two years” not come from the businesses they regulate. ”The term Continue reading