Third National Climate Assessment, Draft 2013

Coastal Preservation

Adapting to a new world order

Chad NelsenOctober 18, 2014

cnelsen@surfrider.org

Coastal Preservation• For 30 years Surfrider has: • Poorly planned development• Shoreline armoring• Beach Fill (“replenishment or nourishment”• Storm response• Surf protection

• Global warming puts an exclamation point on all of those issues

Climate Change Drivers

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)• Current: 397.8 ppm • 2050 Projected: ~550 ppm

• Temperature increase (U.S.)• Current (since 1895): 1.5°• 2050 Projected: 5-10°

Third National Climate Assessment, Draft 2013

Coastal Climate Change Impacts• Sea Level Rise• Current global rise (since 1901): 7.4 inches

• 2100 projected (U.S.): 8 inches to 6.6 feet

Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Final Draft Underlying Scientific-Technical Assessment.

Coastal Climate Change Impacts• Rising Sea levels• Higher tide lines and

extreme coastal high water levels

• More extreme storms• Stronger Hurricanes• Altered ocean

currents• Intensifying Pacific

Ocean El Niños• Increased Wave

height

• Increased sea surface temperature

• Altered ocean salinity

• Beach Erosion

• Ocean acidification

• Reduced ecosystem health and increased vulnerability

• Loss of coral reefs

• Potential loss of surfing waves

Third National Climate Assessment, Draft 2013

Third National Climate Assessment, Draft 2013

How Are We AddressingClimate Change Impacts Now?

Reactive• After damage occurs• Often uses rebuilding

restrictions, retrofits for resilience• Often uses structural

approaches • sea walls • armoring

Proactive• Before damage

occurs• Involves planning,

pre-emptive mitigation• Often uses non-

structural approaches• Land use• Green infrastructure• Incentives

Coastal Adaptation Report

• Report & Executive Summary are on ChapterNET• Coastal Adaptation Forum

Next Steps• Coastal Adaptation Forum kick off• Tuesday, August 19th at 3 PM Pacific.

• ChapterNET: Coastal Adaptation• Information resources on Beachapedia• Communication / Talking points• National Policy • Other?

Surfrider Strategy

1. Outreach & Education2. Tools & Resources3. Vertical Connections• Local <-> National

4. Horizontal Connections•Partners

5. Transparency & Communication

Thank you!Chad Nelsencnelsen@surfrider.org

Tools & Resources“Providing the tools to succeed”

• Information resources•Adaptation guides•Case Studies•Model Campaign plans•Staff support

Local groups

Other State

Agencies

National NGOs

Local Allies

Horizontal Connections“Connecting people with each other”

Regional/State

National

Chamber of

Commerce

Rotary

Surf Clubs

Partner Orgs (TNC)

Funders

Etc.

Smarter Safer

Smarter Safer

Transparency & Communication

•Clear objectives•Regular communications•Activist activities

Local Issues

Regional/State Issue

Federal Issues

Chapters

Vertical Connections“Connecting people with process”

Regional Staff

National Staff

National Flood Insurance Program

Coastal Management Program (DLCD/Parks)

Local Land Use Plans

Outreach & Education“Connecting people with information”

•Shared information•Talking points•Beachapedia articles•Handouts•Videos •Activist activities