Search Climate Insights Directory
14 results
A Toxic Relationship
The document argues that rising sea levels and extreme coastal flooding threaten approximately 2,000 Superfund sites along the US East and Gulf Coasts, potentially releasing hazardous chemicals into nearby communities. It highlights that these risks disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income households, who are more likely to live near these sites. The authors criticize the Trump administration for sidelining climate science and rescinding resilience-focused executive orders, and they recommend a new executive order and interagency coordination to integrate climate science into Superfund site risk assessments.
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Document type: Fact sheet
A Toxic Relationship
The document describes a two-part methodology: first, using a "bathtub model" combining Digital Elevation Models, tidal gauge data, and NOAA sea level rise projections to map future 100-year-flood zones; second, performing a buffer analysis around 9,689 Superfund sites to determine if people of color and low-income households are disproportionately located near sites at risk of flooding.
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Document type: Report
The US Military on the Front Lines of Rising Seas
The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed 18 strategic US military installations on the East and Gulf coasts, finding that most face significant risks from rising seas. Under a 'highest' scenario of sea level rise, some bases could lose between 75 and 95 percent of their land area by 2100. The report highlights that tidal flooding frequency will increase steeply, and storm surges will reach further inland and with greater depth. It emphasizes the need for high-resolution mapping and regional collaboration, noting that the vulnerability of surrounding low-income and minority communities can further compromise base operations.
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Document type: Executive summary
The US Military on the Front Lines of Rising Seas
The document details the technical approach used by the Union of Concerned Scientists to evaluate coastal flooding risks for US military bases. It describes the use of the NOAA SLOSH model for storm surge, the NOAA Inundation Analysis tool for tidal flooding, and Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) levels for permanent inundation. The analysis utilizes localized sea level rise projections for 2050, 2070, and 2100 based on the 2013 National Climate Assessment. Key caveats include the exclusion of rainfall-induced flooding, the use of worst-case 'Maximum of the Maximum' storm surge scenarios, and the fact that the study provides illustrative snapshots rather than a comprehensive risk assessment of all bases.
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Document type: Report
Surviving and Thriving Face Rising Seas
The report identifies 'climate equity hotspots' along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, where projected sea level rise and tidal flooding combine with socioeconomic risks such as poverty and minority population share. It argues that federal and state agencies must prioritize these vulnerable communities in funding and infrastructure investments to ensure an equitable response to climate change. The analysis evaluated thirty-five coastal counties across nine states and provides case studies for five specific locations, including Dorchester County, MD, and Plaquemines Parish, LA, to illustrate the challenges of environmental injustice and sinking lands.
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Document type: Report
Microsoft Word - OSW Coalition Sign-On Letter to Obama Final 10-22-15.docx
The document is a sign-on letter from a broad coalition of organizations and officials requesting that the Obama administration prioritize offshore wind power development, specifically along the Atlantic coast. The coalition advocates for a bold development goal of 22 GW by 2030, increased federal incentives, and improved collaboration between federal agencies and state governments to support the Clean Power Plan.
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Document type: Statement
Hurricane Attitudes of Coastal Connecticut Residents: A Segmentation Analysis
The report segments coastal Connecticut residents into five groups based on hurricane attitudes: the 'First Out', 'Constrained', 'Optimists', 'Reluctant', and 'Diehards'. It analyzes how risk perception, perceived barriers, and trust in authority influence evacuation decisions, noting that while local official orders are the most effective trigger for all groups, different segments require different interventions ranging from resource assistance to risk education.
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Document type: Executive summary
How Sea Level Rise and Tidal Flooding Threaten U.S. East and Gulf Coast Communities over the Next 30 Years
The analysis warns that sea level rise will cause tidal flooding to become chronic and widespread across the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts by 2045. Many communities will see a tripling or more of annual flood events, with some locations facing over 180 floods per year. The report emphasizes the need for urgent local and national adaptation strategies, including infrastructure upgrades and emissions reductions, to manage the inevitable disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.
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Document type: Executive summary
Cómo el aumento del nivel del mar y las inundaciones de las mareas amenazan a las comunidades en las costas en los próximos 30 años
The report warns that tidal flooding will become chronic and disruptive for many US coastal communities by 2030 and 2045, necessitating urgent local adaptation and national carbon emission reductions.
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Document type: Executive summary
Encroaching Tides
The report analyzes 52 tide gauges from Maine to Texas, projecting that by 2045, many U.S. East and Gulf Coast communities will face a ten-fold increase in tidal flooding. It argues that such flooding will disrupt daily life, damage infrastructure, and necessitate a coordinated national response combining local adaptation—such as elevating roads and restoring wetlands—with global carbon emission reductions.
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This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Encroaching Tides
The report analyzes 59 tide gauges along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts to project the impact of sea level rise on tidal flooding. Using an Intermediate-High scenario from the National Climate Assessment, the analysis finds that at least 40 locations will see a doubling of coastal flooding events by 2030, with the majority experiencing a 10-fold increase by 2045. Additionally, nearly half of the evaluated locations are projected to experience moderate coastal floods by 2045 from tides that currently only cause minor flooding.
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Document type: Report
Sea level rise and global warming
The document details how global average sea level has risen 8 inches since 1880, noting that the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico are hotspots due to ocean current changes and land subsidence. It highlights the accelerating role of land ice melt—which contributed 75 to 80 percent of the total increase between 2003 and 2007—and asserts that future sea level rise will be primarily driven by the loss of ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Protecting And Rebuilding River Herring And Shad
Earthjustice is litigating against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and fishery management councils to enforce the Magnuson-Stevens Act and prevent the regional eradication of river herring and shad caused by industrial overfishing.
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Document type: Case study
Climate Change Communication Guide
The guide equips National Park Service (NPS) staff to communicate climate change by segmenting the American public into six audience types based on their beliefs and motivations. It provides tailored communication tips for each group—ranging from the 'Alarmed' to the 'Dismissive'—and details specific climate impacts across ten U.S. bioregions to help staff create place-based narratives. The document emphasizes using local park stories and scientific consensus to motivate visitors toward climate action and energy conservation.
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Document type: Guide