Managing Climate Risks in the Southeast

May 28, 2014

Print This Article Share it With Friends

By Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuels USA). The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a briefing, on May 22, on Capitol Hill, examining the current and projected impacts of climate change in the Southeast, and efforts to manage these risks. According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

“The Southeast region has experienced more billion-dollar natural disasters than any other region in the United States, primarily from hurricanes, but also from tornadoes and winter storms. Climate change will increase the frequency and the strength of such extreme weather events. Coastal areas in the Gulf already grapple with hurricane damages that cost an average $14 billion a year, and conservative estimates project that these costs could rise to $23billion by 2030, with 50 percent of this increase attributable to climate change. The Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) projects between 1 to 4 feet of sea level rise by 2100, and many of the region’s major cities are in low-lying, coastal areas, as are critical highways, trade ports, and military installations.” [1]

Panelists, L-R Roger Natsuhara; Capt. Tim Gallaudet; Robert Kalafalenos (not shown--Dr. Virginia Burkett Photo: O. Bifarin

The first Speaker, Dr. Virginia Burkett, Chief Scientist for Global Change, U.S. Geological Survey in her presentation relayed three key messages: the rise in sea level, using Terrebonne Parish in Los Angeles as an instance; increase in temperature, with South Florida as a case study; and decreased water availability as evident in Lake Lanier in Georgia. As people are becoming sentient of these climatic changes, she said, some Southeast communities have begun to integrate adaptation programs into their plans.
The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installation and Environment, Department of Navy, Roger Natsuhara stressed the impacts of climate change on installations along coast lines and also on naval operations. He also mentioned some activities the United States Navy is doing in light of climate change, and he enumerated climate change working groups that are responding to the changes. They include: Senior Sustainability Council, Department of Defense Climate Change Adaptation Working group (CCAWG) and Navy Task Force Climate Change (TFCC)
Natsuhara particularly accentuated the use of the whole community approach. He said “Naval infrastructures are tied directly into surrounding communities (utilities and roads) and Navy service members and civilian employees live in adjacent communities” to substantiate his point.
Captain. Tim Gallaudet, Deputy Oceanographer of the Navy, Task force Climate Change, who was the third speaker at the event reiterated the impacts of climate change on the Navy and some of the DoD efforts to provide solutions. Some of which include vulnerability methodologies, long term climate predictions and a host of others.
The Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) released on May 6, divulged that the diverse Southeast region is highly vulnerable to sea level rise, extreme heat waves and decreased water availability, which can then lead to damaged infrastructure, reduced agricultural yield and saltwater intrusion into fresh water supplies. [1] Particularly important is that the Southeast is critical to the nation’s military security as Virginia is home to Norfolk Navy Base, the world’s largest naval base.
At the end, it was concluded that while local officials throughout the Southeast have often taken the lead in resilience efforts, a coordinated, national effort is needed in order to protect this vulnerable region.
Source(s)

http://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/052214southeast#.U4XHIekU8iQ

*Olatomiwa Bifarin is studying for his Masters degree in Biotechnology at The Catholic University of America. As an intern at Advanced Biofuels USA, he represents the organization and reports on events in Washington, DC, and nearby areas.