Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

APA

Young, R. (2020). Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041420data

Chicago

Young, Rob. Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2020. https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041420data.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Young |first1=Rob |title=Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=14 April 2020 |url=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041420data |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{young2020climate, author = {Young, Rob}, title = {{Climate Adaptation Data Week Overview}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2020}, month = apr, url = {https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/041420data}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }