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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
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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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
Statement of Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder
Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder calls for President Bush to commit to specific actions following Hurricane Katrina, including funding a $14 billion wetlands restoration program, reforming the Army Corps of Engineers, and increasing fuel economy standards for vehicles. The statement argues that the president must address the "calculated neglect" of poor and minority communities and acknowledge the link between global warming and increased hurricane intensity to justify immediate greenhouse gas reductions.
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Document type: Statement
Confronting Climate Change in the Gulf Coast Region
The report analyzes the vulnerability of the Gulf Coast's diverse ecosystems—from upland forests to coral reefs—to rising temperatures and sea levels. It highlights that while climate change poses significant threats to water resources, biodiversity, and public health, current human activities like shoreline development and water engineering remain the primary drivers of ecological change. The authors advocate for a three-pronged strategy of mitigation, minimization of human impacts, and adaptive management to safeguard the region's economic and natural heritage.
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Document type: Report
Synthetic natural gas
The briefing assesses synthetic natural gas (SNG), produced from electrolytic hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, concluding it is an inefficient decarbonization tool. While SNG can utilize existing natural gas infrastructure, its production is energy-intensive and costly, with landed costs in Northwest Europe estimated at 4 to 9 times the wholesale price of natural gas. The author contends that SNG creates a 'value trap' by consuming clean hydrogen that should be prioritized for sectors where no other decarbonization options exist. Furthermore, the document notes that replacing 20% of 2023 EU LNG imports with SNG would require approximately 12 million tons of clean hydrogen and roughly 17% of total U.S. electricity production.
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Document type: Briefing
Exiting Petrochemicals: A Policy Guide for Financial Institutions
The document argues that the petrochemical industry's expansion is unsustainable and harmful, urging financial institutions to stop financing petrochemical expansion, require client transition plans, and adopt environmental justice policies. It highlights the severe health and environmental impacts in US 'sacrifice zones' and the financial risks of stranded assets.
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Document type: Guide
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
Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case on the Consideration of Downstream Costs in NEPA Analyses
The document advocates for a broad interpretation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), arguing that agencies must analyze indirect environmental impacts beyond proximate effects, specifically in the context of a Surface Transportation Board decision regarding a railway in Utah's Uinta Basin.
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Document type: Legal commentary