State-Level Climate Security Education: South Carolina

The document details South Carolina's high susceptibility to sea level rise, hurricanes, and droughts, noting that 101 weather disasters with losses over $1 billion occurred between 1980 and April 2025. It highlights the critical role of federal support from NOAA, FEMA, and USDA in maintaining coastal resilience, providing disaster aid, and supporting military installations. The briefing warns that proposed FY 2026 budget cuts—including the elimination of the Sea Grant program and significant reductions in coastal research and FEMA funding—would severely hinder the state's ability to manage climate risks and protect its economy and national security infrastructure.

• South Carolina has experienced extreme economic losses from weather and climate disasters, with 101 confirmed events causing losses exceeding $1 billion each between 1980 and April 2025. These events include 44 severe storms, 25 tropical cyclones, 13 droughts, 13 winter storms, and 3 floods.
• The state is the 4th most vulnerable in the US to coastal flooding. Environmental changes such as warming sea temperatures, acidification, and lower oxygen levels are disrupting the fishing of shrimp and black sea bass, while salt marshes can reduce property damage from extreme weather by up to 20%.
• Drought and extreme heat are increasing in frequency and severity. In 2024, every county in South Carolina experienced drought conditions. Projections suggest that by mid-century, Columbia could see up to 65 days per year with a heat index over 100°F, compared to a current average of 15 days.
• Major US military installations in South Carolina face significant climate risks. Parris Island, Fort Jackson, and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort are estimated to see increases in days per year with a heat index above 100°F of 61%, 46%, and 59%, respectively.
• Federal agencies provide essential resilience and recovery services: NOAA manages sustainable fisheries and coastal resilience (including 23 planned IRA and BIL projects worth $33.4 million), while FEMA provides disaster assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) projects funded on a 75% federal and 25% non-federal basis.
• Proposed FY 2026 budget cuts would eliminate several critical programs, including the Sea Grant program, NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Grants, and the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Additionally, the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program, which provides $721 million for community projects, is slated for elimination.
• Proposed budget reductions include a $250 million cut to coastal research programs, a potential 29% cut to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and a potential 50% cut to the National Ocean Service (NOS), which could eliminate 27 water level data stations used for road design and flood alerts.

APA

The Council on Strategic Risks (2025). State-Level Climate Security Education: South Carolina. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/05/30/state-level-climate-security-education-south-carolina/

Chicago

The Council on Strategic Risks. State-Level Climate Security Education: South Carolina. 2025. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/05/30/state-level-climate-security-education-south-carolina/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=The Council on Strategic Risks |title=State-Level Climate Security Education: South Carolina |date=30 May 2025 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/05/30/state-level-climate-security-education-south-carolina/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{thecouncilonstrategicrisks2025statelevel, author = {{The Council on Strategic Risks}}, title = {{State-Level Climate Security Education: South Carolina}}, institution = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2025}, month = may, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/05/30/state-level-climate-security-education-south-carolina/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }