{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"organization":["Environmental and Energy Study Institute"]},"warnings":[]},"total":{"value":512,"relation":"eq"},"page":7,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&page=7","next":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?organization=environmental-and-energy-study-institute&page=8","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"eesi-000020","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000020","title":"Save Our Interns","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-08-25","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/save-our-interns","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document emphasizes the critical role of paid internships in launching careers for climate policy experts and advocates. It describes how the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) maintained its internship program during the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing a remote model with written plans, technology subsidies, and daily check-ins to ensure equity and professional development.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000020#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Internships are described as essential for building professional networks and entering the climate policy field, particularly in Washington, D.C.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000020#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The coronavirus pandemic led many employers in the capital to cancel internship programs, potentially impacting the career trajectories of thousands of students.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000020#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) successfully implemented a remote internship program using a written plan, technology requirements, a subsidy for internet costs, and daily online check-in meetings.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000020#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI maintains a policy of paying its interns to ensure the program remains accessible to candidates from all backgrounds, citing this as a matter of principle and equity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000020#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate policy"],"geography_discussed":["Montpelier, Vt."],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["statement"]},{"id":"eesi-000014","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000014","title":"Rural Communities Rise to the Challenge of Dual Disasters | Briefing | EESI","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06-18","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/061820rural","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines the difficulties small rural communities encounter when attempting to access federal disaster preparedness funding and mapping programs due to limited local government capacity. It highlights specific governance challenges in repairing critical infrastructure, using the Midland dam floods as an example, and discusses the need for workforce development and watershed management to build flood resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000014#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Small rural local governments often lack the administrative capacity and staffing required to apply for federal disaster preparedness funding, which can result in their exclusion from essential programs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000014#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Rural communities are dealing with a combination of stressors, including high energy costs, a struggling agriculture sector, and insufficient investment in resilient infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000014#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Midland dam floods serve as a case study for the governance difficulties associated with repairing critical infrastructure in small, rural Great Lakes coastal communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000014#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","infrastructure resilience"],"geography_discussed":["Great Lakes","Midland","Kansas","Michigan"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000079","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000079","title":"Resilience Initiatives in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/060420prusvi","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing discusses strategies for enhancing resilience in the U.S. Caribbean, focusing on Puerto Rico's transition toward a renewable energy economy centered on rooftop solar and the U.S. Virgin Islands' efforts to integrate natural infrastructure into hazard mitigation plans.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000079#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Puerto Rico's energy transition is focused on a renewable energy economy, with a U.S. Department of Energy commissioned study recommending that the electrical system be developed primarily through rooftop solar installations rather than utility-scale wind, which requires significant transmission investment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000079#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the U.S. Virgin Islands, efforts to update the hazard mitigation plan for FEMA include strategies for resilient housing, infrastructure, and the use of natural systems for coastal protection, such as restoring mangroves and wetlands to provide stormwater filtration and fisheries benefits.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000079#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Community-based resilience in Puerto Rico involves the creation of community hubs—including schools, hospitals, and community centers—that facilitate mutual aid for housing reconstruction, water filtration, and rooftop solar installation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000079#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Caribbean islands are identified as more sensitive to temperature and precipitation changes than the mainland U.S. due to their small size and relative isolation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000079#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["rooftop photovoltaic system","wind energy","climate change adaptation","Mangrove restoration","sea level rise"],"geography_discussed":["United States","Vieques","Culebra","Saint Croix","Saint Thomas","St. John","Water Island"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000074","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000074","title":"We must address racial inequality and injustice before we can meet the challenge of climate change","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06-03","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/we-must-address-racial-inequality-and-injustice-before-we-can-meet-the-challenge-of-climate-change","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) asserts that climate change cannot be effectively addressed without first tackling systemic inequality and injustice. The organization emphasizes that the costs of climate action must not fall unfairly on marginalized groups, and the benefits of a clean energy economy must be shared broadly. EESI highlights its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through initiatives such as supporting on-bill financing for low-income rural families and focusing on the resilience of marginalized coastal communities affected by pollution and environmental disasters.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000074#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"An equitable and just transition to a decarbonized, clean energy economy requires the representation of marginalized voices to ensure that the costs of climate action are not borne unfairly by the disadvantaged and that benefits are not limited to the well-off.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000074#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"EESI implements its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by working with utilities on on-bill financing for low-income rural families and conducting Congressional briefings on resilient coastal communities, particularly marginalized neighborhoods suffering from air pollution, unsafe water, and environmental disasters.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000074#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change","energy transition","decarbonization","renewable energy commercialization","climate justice","air pollution","water quality"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy statement"]},{"id":"eesi-000420","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000420","title":"Federal Support and Local Action","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060220.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document is a transcript of a briefing featuring experts from the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. It examines the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, highlighting the vulnerability of the electric grid and coastal infrastructure. The speakers argue that while Congress has approved significant funding for recovery and resilience, bureaucratic delays in federal agencies like HUD and FEMA have stalled the disbursement of these resources. The briefing emphasizes the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, such as coral reef restoration, for wave attenuation and coastal protection, while noting that traditional cost-benefit analysis tools often favor short-term returns over long-term resilient infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 caused catastrophic damage in the Caribbean, with Hurricane Maria alone resulting in approximately 3,000 deaths in Puerto Rico and nearly destroying the island's electric grid.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Since late 2019, the southern region of Puerto Rico has been impacted by approximately 1,000 earthquakes, including 13 exceeding magnitude five, which further destabilized the already unreliable electric grid.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Significant federal funding approved by Congress for disaster relief and grid transformation has faced severe disbursement delays due to bureaucratic processes and slow publication of notices by federal agencies, specifically HUD.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Nature-based infrastructure, specifically coral reefs, provides superior coastal protection compared to man-made structures, with some reefs attenuating up to 97 percent of wave energy during major storms.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Puerto Rico's Law 33 of 2019 establishes a policy for climate change mitigation and resilience, including a coal phase-out and a goal of 100 percent clean energy production by 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Traditional cost-benefit analysis (BCA) tools used by FEMA, HUD, and the Army Corps of Engineers discourage the adoption of nature-based solutions because they prioritize rapid return on investment over long-term design life and lower maintenance costs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sea level rise poses a critical threat to Puerto Rico's coastal infrastructure; a 10-foot increase by 2100 is presented as an extreme scenario that would severely impact international communications.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000420#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","climate change adaptation","nature-based solutions","coral reef restoration","sea level rise","climate finance","energy transition","greenhouse gas emissions","coastal erosion","ocean acidification"],"geography_discussed":["Florida","North Carolina","Hawaii","California"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","damage assessment","infrastructure evaluation"]},{"id":"eesi-000421","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000421","title":"Resilient Housing and Communities","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060320.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document features a discussion on the critical need for resilient housing and community-based energy solutions in island territories following disasters like Hurricane Maria. Panelists emphasize that resilience is achieved through 'community strength' and self-sufficiency rather than dependency on centralized government systems. Key strategies include the deployment of distributed solar energy to create 'energy oases' for critical infrastructure and the use of the 'Keep Safe' guide to implement multi-risk mitigation in housing design. The discussion highlights the intersection of climate risk, housing insecurity, and the necessity of local workforce development to maintain resilient infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Housing is often the most vulnerable element during natural disasters, particularly for low-to-moderate income communities with limited resources for maintenance and fortification. The document notes that Hurricane Katrina resulted in the loss of almost 800,000 homes, while Hurricane Maria substantially impacted nearly 370,000 homes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Centralized energy grids in Puerto Rico are prone to systemic failure during extreme weather and seismic events, leading to prolonged power outages that exacerbate health crises and displacement. The document describes the 'death associated with the government failure to provide basic services' following Hurricane Maria, where some areas remained without power for over a year.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Community-led 'energy insurrections' and the creation of 'energy oases' using distributed solar power provide a model for resilience by ensuring that critical infrastructure—such as fire stations, grocery stores, and medical equipment—remains operational during grid failures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'Keep Safe' guide for island communities defines resiliency through a multi-risk framework that addresses atmospheric risks (high winds, droughts, fire, extreme temperature), land risks (erosion, landslides, earthquakes, subsidence), and water risks (heavy storm events, surges, tsunamis).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"True resilience is defined as 'community strength,' focusing on self-determination and self-sufficiency to reduce dependency on external government agencies like FEMA, which may not be the first to arrive during a crisis.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a critical need for local workforce development and 'reparative restoration' investments in remote areas to ensure that the capacity to operate and maintain resilient systems remains within the community after outside contractors leave.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000421#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["coastal management","distributed generation","solar energy","affordable housing","climate change adaptation","nature-based solutions","climate justice","biomass"],"geography_discussed":["Adjuntas","Houston","World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["expert panel discussion","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000422","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000422","title":"Sustainable, Democratic Energy and Public Health","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-06","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_060420.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document features presentations by Ruth Santiago and Dr. Greg Guannel on enhancing coastal resilience in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Santiago argues against rebuilding the existing fossil-fuel-based power grid in Puerto Rico, proposing instead a transition to 'energy democracy' via rooftop solar and community-led energy systems. Dr. Guannel describes the update of the U.S. Virgin Islands' Hazard Mitigation Plan, emphasizing that resilience requires a holistic approach that combines physical infrastructure with social networks and natural systems, such as mangroves and aquifers, to protect the tourism-based economy and public health.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Puerto Rico's energy system is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, with natural gas currently serving as the largest fuel source, while renewables account for only approximately 2.3 to 2.5 percent of the energy mix.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The AES coal-burning power plant in Puerto Rico has contaminated the South Coast Aquifer by leaking heavy metals from coal ash waste stored on-site.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 'We Want Sun' (Queremos Sol) proposal advocates for a transition to energy democracy in Puerto Rico, prioritizing rooftop solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency over the reconstruction of centralized fossil fuel plants.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a significant portion of critical infrastructure is located in high-risk zones, with over 45 percent of government buildings situated in flood and tsunami zones and more than 40 percent of all buildings in extremely high wind zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The U.S. Virgin Islands is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to move beyond a sole focus on physical infrastructure, incorporating social infrastructure and natural systems to enhance overall resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Natural infrastructure, such as mangroves and coral reefs, provides essential ecosystem services including wave attenuation, storm surge reduction, and the support of fisheries, which are critical for the U.S. Virgin Islands' tourism-dependent economy.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000422#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["rooftop photovoltaic system","coastal management","fossil fuel","natural gas","battery energy storage system","energy efficiency","coral reef restoration","climate change adaptation","environmental justice"],"geography_discussed":["Colombia","United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000359","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000359","title":"Support for innovative financing programs in a post-coronavirus economic stimulus package","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-05-11","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/OBF-Stimulus-Letter-051120.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The authors argue that innovative financing is essential to leverage grants and tax incentives for clean energy projects, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and small businesses. They specifically advocate for on-bill financing, which allows borrowers to repay energy efficiency and renewable energy costs via utility bills, noting its success in rural areas and specific states. The letter requests increased funding for the USDA's Rural Energy Savings Program and DOE's State Energy Program, and authorization for on-bill financing within the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and state or local 'green banks'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000359#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Innovative financing is necessary to maximize the impact of grants, rebates, and tax incentives, ensuring that recovery funds sustain the clean energy workforce and continue to reduce emissions after initial funding is exhausted.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000359#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"On-bill financing programs, which enable borrowers to repay energy efficiency and renewable energy costs through a utility bill line-item, are currently utilized by over 60 public utilities and electric cooperatives, with a strong presence in rural areas where energy costs are typically 40% higher than in urban areas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000359#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Certain states, including Washington, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Arkansas, have implemented innovative on-bill program designs, such as transferable tariffs, to improve equity and ownership in disadvantaged communities and attract private-sector or USDA no-interest loans.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000359#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The authors recommend that Congress increase funding for the USDA's Rural Energy Savings Program and the DOE's State Energy Program, and explicitly authorize on-bill financing for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and state or local 'green banks'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000359#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy efficiency","renewable energy","Green bank","greenhouse gas emissions","electrification","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["Washington","South Carolina","Hawaii","Arkansas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy recommendation"]},{"id":"eesi-000023","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000023","title":"Wildlife Conservation Sees Bipartisan Support in 116th Congress","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-05-08","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/wildlife-conservation-sees-bipartisan-support-in-116th-congress","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The 116th Congress has pursued several bipartisan initiatives to protect U.S. biodiversity, focusing on wildlife corridors, land preservation, endangered species, and invasive species management. Key legislative proposals include the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act and the Great American Outdoors Act, alongside efforts to restore previous protections under the Endangered Species Act and expand invasive species management through the WILD Act.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000023#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The 116th Congress introduced the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019 and the Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 to improve habitat connectivity. The former aims to increase federal capacity to protect migration routes through tools like a Wildlife Movement Grant Program and a Wildlife Connectivity Database, while the latter empowers tribes to enhance connectivity on tribal lands and requires the U.S. Forest Service to consider linking these corridors to USFS-managed lands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000023#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Legislative efforts for land preservation include the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act, which seeks to protect over 1,000 miles of rivers and 1.3 million acres of land in Washington, California, and Colorado. Additionally, the Great American Outdoors Act combines the Restore Our Parks Act with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act, the latter of which would authorize $900 million in annual expenditures from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to address a $30 billion backlog of federal conservation needs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000023#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish in Need of Conservation Act of 2019 was introduced to reverse 2019 Department of the Interior rules that limited critical habitat designations, removed protections for threatened species, and allowed economic assessments to influence whether a species should be protected.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000023#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To combat biodiversity loss and economic damage caused by invasive species, the bipartisan Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Act proposes expanding wildlife conservation programs, establishing invasive species management requirements, and creating the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize program to foster innovation in species management.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000023#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["biodiversity"],"geography_discussed":["Colorado","California","Washington"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy summary"]},{"id":"eesi-000043","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000043","title":"Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-16","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041620data","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group (CIG) focuses on research, tool creation, and community connection to build climate resilience. Their work includes assisting tribes with vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans, managing trans-boundary water and wildlife projects with Canadian partners, and operating as part of a network of eight regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) that provide technical advice and projections to policymakers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000043#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Climate Impacts Group (CIG) supports tribal climate resilience through vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning, leading to projects such as relocating infrastructure, developing community health programs, and creating educational materials regarding climate impacts on relied-upon species.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000043#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"CIG employs a communication strategy that distinguishes between certain knowledge and uncertainty to help decision-makers plan for specific risks while maintaining flexibility for multiple future scenarios.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000043#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"CIG engages in trans-boundary collaboration with Canadian partners, specifically the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium in British Columbia, to study the Columbia River Basin watershed and wildlife habitat connectivity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000043#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The network of eight regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and a national office leverages local partnerships to provide projections and technical advice, though the demand for these resources currently exceeds the centers' capacity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000043#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","climate resilience","vulnerability assessment"],"geography_discussed":["Canada","Columbia Basin","British Columbia","United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["program overview"]},{"id":"eesi-000104","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000104","title":"Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-15","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041520data","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing highlights the challenges of tracking climate impacts on archaeological and historic sites in the U.S., noting that while nationally-registered historic sites are documented, archaeological site data is often confidential. It emphasizes the need for more funding for state offices and the potential for the U.S. to learn from Scotland's coastal archaeology monitoring and citizen science programs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Climate change impacts on heritage sites include known threats like erosion, storm surges, and hurricanes, as well as unanticipated effects such as saltwater inundating sites from the bottom up.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Creating a national database for archaeological sites to track vulnerability is hindered by the fact that specific location information is kept confidential to protect the sites.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"State-level historic preservation offices face funding limitations and rely heavily on surveys conducted for development projects under National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requirements.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Scotland is recognized for its success in monitoring coastal cultural heritage sites through the Scottish Coastal Archaeology Program and citizen science, providing a model that the Florida Public Archaeology Network is attempting to adapt for the U.S.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is coordinating with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to hold an expert meeting, which is intended as a first step toward an IPCC special report on cultural heritage and climate.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000104#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","coastal erosion","climate data"],"geography_discussed":["Scotland","Florida"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["expert presentation summary"]},{"id":"eesi-000009","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000009","title":"Localized Climate Data: A Critical Tool for Decision-Makers","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-14","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/localized-climate-data-a-critical-tool-for-decision-makers","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document emphasizes that local policymakers struggle to act on climate information that is not location-specific. To address this, Climate Central provides two tools: the Coastal Risk Screening Tool, which allows users to explore coastal flood and sea-level rise risk by year or water level, and Risk Finder, which provides data on at-risk populations and facilities for states, counties, and Congressional districts. These tools utilize data from approximately 110 databases, including various U.S. federal agencies such as NOAA, USGS, and FEMA.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000009#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Local policymakers find it difficult to take action when climate information is not specific to their particular location.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000009#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Coastal Risk Screening Tool is an interactive map enabling users to examine coastal flood and sea-level rise risk based on specific years or water levels, including projections for the Galveston, Texas region for the year 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000009#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Risk Finder tool provides data on facilities and populations at risk within Congressional districts, counties, and states, allowing users to analyze social vulnerability to sea-level rise between one and 10 feet.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000009#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate Central's tools aggregate downloadable data from approximately 110 databases, primarily from U.S. federal sources including NOAA, USGS, FEMA, DOT, DOE, DOI, EPA, FCC, and the U.S. Census.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000009#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","sea level rise","coastal flood","climate data"],"geography_discussed":["Washington","New York","Galveston","Texas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000141","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000141","title":"Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-14","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041420data","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document describes a vulnerability assessment protocol developed for the National Park Service (NPS) to evaluate coastal infrastructure risks. The assessments focus on physical exposure and characteristics, helping managers decide whether to protect, move, or decommission assets. While sea level rise models projected to 2050 are used, the text notes that hurricanes at current sea levels contribute significantly to exposure scores. Practical applications include raising utilities in Florida and incorporating local perspectives at Cumberland Island National Seashore.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The vulnerability assessment protocol focuses exclusively on physical coastal hazards, based on the physical characteristics of a structure and its exposure, while mission importance is addressed during subsequent adaptation and resilience discussions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sea level rise models projected to 2050 are used for assessments, though hurricanes occurring at current sea levels are the primary source of exposure scores for most coastal parks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Vulnerability assessments have been applied in specific locations: at Cumberland Island National Seashore to integrate local views on historical villages, and in Florida to reduce building sensitivity by raising utilities above flood zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The protocol can incorporate any risk that can be mapped on a regional scale, although it currently excludes saltwater intrusion due to a lack of consistent mapping data.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The assessments inform decisions on managed retreat; assets that are highly vulnerable and low priority for the park's mission may be decommissioned, while mission-critical but vulnerable assets may be moved.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000141#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal flood","climate change adaptation","vulnerability assessment","infrastructure resilience"],"geography_discussed":["Florida","Cumberland Island National Seashore","Alaska"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000002","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000002","title":"Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-13","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-needs-in-a-changing-climate-highlights-from-the-116th-congress","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document outlines the critical role of up-to-date data in understanding Earth processes and managing climate risks. It highlights the use of LiDAR for flood mapping via the 3-Dimensional Elevation Program, the importance of NOAA's hydrologic and coastal data, and the role of the Earth Prediction Innovation Center in extreme weather forecasting. It also emphasizes the value of NASA and NOAA's planetary-scale satellite observations and the potential for artificial intelligence to enhance disaster prediction and community resilience through the proposed National AI Initiative.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The 3-Dimensional Elevation Program (3DEP), managed by the USGS, uses LiDAR to create accurate 3D terrain representations, which FEMA utilizes for flood maps that have helped avoid $100 billion in losses over 40 years; however, only 67 percent of the United States has been mapped to date.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"NOAA provides critical hydrologic data and tools, such as the Digital Coast repository, the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper, and the Sea Level Rise Viewer, to help communities assess and prepare for flood risks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Extreme weather forecasting has been improved by the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, which created the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC), though experts emphasize the need for continued funding and constant observational networks to refine climate models.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Satellite programs from NASA and NOAA, including Landsat, provide global, high-resolution data essential for monitoring the cryosphere, sea surface temperature, and atmosphere composition, which informed the Fourth National Climate Assessment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve disaster prediction and recovery by integrating real-time data with engineering and atmospheric science; the 116th Congress considered the Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (S.1558) and the Growing Artificial Intelligence Through Research Act (H.R.2202) to establish a National AI Initiative.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000002#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","climate modeling","cryosphere","desertification","climate change adaptation","disaster risk reduction"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy review","legislative summary"]},{"id":"eesi-000047","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000047","title":"Supporting Each Other and the Environment During the COVID-19 Pandemic","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04-07","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/supporting-each-other-and-the-environment-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) confirms that its efforts to advance federal climate policy and provide technical assistance for clean energy financing through the Access Clean Energy Savings Program remain active during the COVID-19 crisis. The organization emphasizes the need for science-informed federal action for both the pandemic and climate change, noting that piecemeal local responses to the coronavirus mirror the fragmented nature of climate action. To maintain operations and staff safety, EESI has transitioned to online briefings, implemented all-telework guidance, and cancelled staff travel.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000047#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"EESI is continuing its efforts to advance federal climate policy and provide technical assistance to utilities for clean energy financing via the Access Clean Energy Savings Program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000047#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The organization argues that both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change require swift, science-informed federal action, observing that the varied local responses to the pandemic are similar to the piecemeal implementation of climate action across states, cities, and counties.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000047#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To ensure operational continuity and staff health during the pandemic, EESI shifted briefings to an online format, implemented all-telework guidance, and cancelled all work-related staff travel.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000047#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["renewable energy commercialization"],"geography_discussed":["World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["organizational statement"]},{"id":"eesi-000414","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000414","title":"Localizing Sea Level Rise Projections for Decision-Makers","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_041320.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"Washington Sea Grant developed a localized sea level rise assessment for Washington State to bridge the 'action gap' between the perceived importance of climate impacts and the availability of planning tools. The project introduced a probabilistic framework for communicating uncertainty and integrated vertical land movement data to create site-specific relative sea-level projections. These data were delivered via an interactive map and a Tableau-based tool. Implementation efforts included pilot projects in Tacoma and Island County, where the data informed the redesign of Owen Beach, the visioning of a linear park, and the creation of a community-based coastal resilience planning guide for shoreline homeowners.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A 2014 survey of coastal managers and decision-makers in Washington State revealed an 'action gap,' where the perceived importance of sea level rise as a climate impact far exceeded the availability of necessary planning tools.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The 2018 Sea Level Rise Assessment improved upon a 2012 report by adopting a probabilistic framework to better communicate the uncertainty of future projections, allowing for more nuanced decision-making based on likelihood ranges.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To localize projections, the project accounted for vertical land movement, noting that while the ocean behaves similarly, land movement causes sea levels to drop in Neah Bay while they rise in Seattle.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project produced an interactive map and a Tableau-based tool that allow users to download relative sea-level projections for specific locations along the Washington coast.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In Tacoma, sea level rise projections led to a complete redesign of Owen Beach, resulting in facilities being moved upland to avoid projected impacts beyond 2019.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Island County developed a community-based coastal resilience planning guide for shoreline homeowners in historic beach, canal, and bluff communities, utilizing a five-step local approach: defining the issue, identifying values/assets, analyzing risk/thresholds, implementing strategies, and monitoring outcomes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project's outreach efforts, including over 20 workshops reaching at least 300 people, resulted in a 70 percent response rate from participants confirming they are using the provided tools and information six months later.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000414#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal management","climate change adaptation","coastal flood","Community based adaptation"],"geography_discussed":["Tacoma","Island County","Neah Bay","Seattle","Snohomish County"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000415","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000415","title":"Assessing National Park Asset Flood Risk: Retreat, Adapt, Fortify?","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_041420.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing describes a multi-year project to assess the vulnerability of National Park Service (NPS) coastal assets to hazards such as sea level rise and storm surges. The methodology separates vulnerability into 'exposure' (the likelihood of a hazard hitting an asset) and 'sensitivity' (the potential damage once the hazard occurs). By integrating this data into existing asset management databases, the project provides park managers with a science-based menu of adaptation options—such as elevating, relocating, or decommissioning structures—to optimize the allocation of limited maintenance funds based on an asset's mission priority.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"A preliminary analysis of National Park Service assets exposed to one meter of sea level rise identified high-exposure assets valued at approximately $23 billion, with the highest concentrations in the Northeast and Southeast regions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The vulnerability assessment protocol calculates vulnerability as the sum of exposure and sensitivity. Exposure is determined by mapping assets against hazards including FEMA flooding data, NOAA storm surge models, sea level rise inundation, coastal erosion buffers, and historical flooding data.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Sensitivity analysis evaluates the flood damage potential of an asset based on its physical characteristics, such as storm resistance, protective engineering, and the threshold elevation of the building relative to the local base flood elevation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project aims to provide actionable data by embedding vulnerability scores directly into the NPS asset management database, allowing managers to identify specific adaptation actions—such as elevating, relocating, protecting, or decommissioning—to reduce either exposure or sensitivity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"While sea level rise is a critical component of the long-term projections (extending to 2050), the majority of the current exposure score for most coastal parks is driven by immediate hazards such as hurricanes and coastal erosion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The vulnerability scoring is based purely on physical characteristics and does not include the 'mission importance' of an asset; instead, mission priority is used by managers after the scoring to decide whether to invest in resilience or pursue decommissioning/retreat.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000415#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["sea level rise","coastal erosion","storm surge","climate change adaptation","vulnerability assessment","infrastructure resilience","Flood risk management","coastal flood"],"geography_discussed":["North Carolina","Florida","South Carolina"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["vulnerability assessment","policy briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000416","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000416","title":"Cultural Heritage and Climate Change","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_041520.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing argues that archaeology and cultural heritage provide critical data on long-term sustainability and the history of climate-changing systems, yet remain 'effectively invisible' in major climate response frameworks. It highlights a significant funding and staffing disparity between natural and cultural resource management within the U.S. National Park Service and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The speaker proposes establishing a federal Climate Heritage Coordination Office, linking heritage to climate research and investment, and expanding NGO engagement to better integrate human history and community values into climate adaptation planning.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Archaeology provides unique evidence of long-term sustainability, such as waterfowl harvesting practices at Lake Myvatn in Iceland that have operated on a \"millennial scale\" since the 10th century.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The history of the systems that created climate change is documented through archaeology, as seen in Lowell, Massachusetts, where shifts in labor, energy, and economy are visible in the physical record of early industrialization.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a significant disparity in U.S. federal investment between natural and cultural resources; from 1995 to 2008, funding and staffing for natural resources increased by 71% and 31% respectively, while cultural resources decreased by 19% and 27%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Cultural heritage and archaeology are largely absent from major climate response structures, including the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and major climate NGOs, where heritage is often only mentioned in the context of indigenous peoples.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Climate change impacts on heritage include not only visible erosion and sea-level rise but also less visible threats such as rising brackish water tables saturating sites from the bottom up, as observed at Jamestown Island.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Scotland is cited as a leader in cultural stewardship and climate adaptation, specifically through the SCAPE project, which uses accessible databases and citizen science to monitor coastal heritage risks.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The speaker recommends four primary actions: creating a federal Climate Heritage Coordination Office, linking archaeology to climate research and investment, fostering climate heritage demonstration projects, and expanding NGO attention to heritage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000416#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","climate finance","sea level rise","coastal erosion","wildfire","indigenous people","climate policy"],"geography_discussed":["Iceland","Lowell","Jamestown Island","Scotland"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy analysis","case study"]},{"id":"eesi-000417","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000417","title":"Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision-Making","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_041620.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing outlines the role of boundary organizations, such as the Climate Impacts Group and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, in bridging the gap between climate science and policy. It highlights two primary case studies: the development of a Sea Level Rise Planning Toolkit for Washington State and the co-production of climate vulnerability assessment resources for Northwest and Great Basin tribes. Dr. Snover emphasizes a three-pronged approach—educating, enabling, and embedding—to ensure scientific data is actionable for resource managers and planners. The document concludes by arguing for increased federal support to meet the growing demand for decision-relevant climate science and the importance of regional centers in tailoring science to local needs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Climate Impacts Group employs a three-part strategy to connect science and decision-making: educating key actors on risks, enabling the use of science in risk management, and embedding scientists directly into management processes.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Washington Coastal Resilience Project developed sea level rise projections that improved upon previous data by incorporating polar ice sheet science, providing highly localized and probabilistic data, and extending projections to 2150 to support tribal long-term planning.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The sea level rise data led to tangible infrastructure changes in the City of Tacoma, where MetroParks redesigned a coastal park to relocate buildings away from the future shoreline and reorient access to accommodate rising seas.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To support Northwest and Great Basin tribes, a tailored online tool was created to provide climate summaries and vulnerability assessment resources across diverse geographies, including traditional territories and ceded lands, rather than just reservation boundaries.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center provided a 'Tribal Climate Technical Support Desk' to offer sustained assistance via hotline and email for interpreting data and conducting vulnerability assessments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The federal government is urged to incentivize science-based action and sustain regional capacity, while regional boundary organizations serve as conduits to leverage federal resources for local benefit and relay local needs back to the federal level.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000417#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","climate resilience","sea level rise","coastal management","vulnerability assessment","climate finance"],"geography_discussed":["Canada","Tacoma","United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy briefing"]},{"id":"eesi-000418","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/eesi-000418","title":"Weather and Social Data to Inform Participatory Planning Initiatives","publisher":{"name":"Environmental and Energy Study Institute","organization":"environmental-and-energy-study-institute"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2020-04","source_url":"https://www.eesi.org/files/transcript_041720.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing describes the development and application of a customized vulnerability assessment and inundation mapping tool for New York's Great Lakes region. It emphasizes the importance of using 'weather trends' rather than 'climate change' terminology to engage local officials and highlights a case study in the village of Sodus Point where participatory workshops led to specific resiliency actions, such as new communication strategies and the investigation of the Coastal Erosion Hazard Act.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Local community planners and officials in the Great Lakes region were more receptive to discussing 'weather trends' than 'climate change' or 'resiliency' when beginning adaptation planning.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A customized vulnerability assessment was developed to address specific regional concerns, including coastal flooding, flash flooding from precipitation or ice jams, ice storms, blizzards, and wind storms.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The vulnerability assessment utilizes benchmarks based on historical regional events and 'credible worst-case scenarios' that are at least 50 percent more severe than the benchmark to help communities plan for intensified impacts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A Lake Ontario inundation mapping tool was created using LiDAR and parcel data, allowing communities to visualize flood risks at specific elevations, such as the record high water level of 249 feet reached in 2017.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A 2017 flood survey conducted with Cornell University documented severe impacts from a record flood that lasted approximately three months, including residential inundation and shoreline management structure damage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the village of Sodus Point, a participatory process combining the vulnerability assessment and inundation mapping led to the creation of a communication strategy for 'responsible tourism' during floods and the evaluation of the Coastal Erosion Hazard Act.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"eesi-000418#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["climate change adaptation","coastal flood","vulnerability assessment","participatory planning","coastal erosion","community resilience"],"geography_discussed":["Sodus Point","Canada"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["case study","policy briefing"]}]}