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By Jake Assael President-Elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Myron Ebell, a vocal climate change denier, to lead his EPA Transition team, has just been the latest affirmation of his views on anthropogenic climate change. During his campaign he had claimed that global warming was a hoax purported by the Chinese, vowed to rescind U.S. involvement…
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By Jake Assael Coastal communities are vibrant, well-populated, economic powerhouses, but as seas continue to rise, exacerbating hurricane damage and coastal flooding, coastal areas are becoming increasingly dangerous to inhabit. Hurricane Matthew was only the latest example of the perils that coastal communities are facing. The category 3 hurricane took the lives of 19 Americans,…
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By Howard Marlowe Well, to say this one was a shocker is an understatement. The newly-elected President doesn’t take office until January 20th, and this Congress doesn’t officially expire until January 3rd. So, for the moment, we’re looking at the same President and the same composition of Congress that has been in place for the…
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Dear Water Wise Subscribers, Regional collaborations to protect people, property and the environment are gaining traction at the state and local levels in several areas of the country. At the same time, there are increasing concerns about the environmental impacts and costs of sand nourishment. WaterLog is our new website that provides an extensive trove…
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By Jake Assael Flood insurance is rapidly becoming one of the most urgent needs for homeowners living on the coasts. According to Zillow if sea levels continue to rise at current rates 1.9 million homes could be at risk of flooding, with one in eight Florida homes being in danger. During the recent Louisiana flooding…
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By Jake Assael Hurricane Hermine made landfall this September, tearing through the East Coast leaving massive destruction, erosion, and taking at least one life in its wake. Hermine, which had been called the worst hurricane since Sandy, was exacerbated by rising sea levels, increasing coastal flooding and beach erosion, putting billions worth of low-lying infrastructure…
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By Jake Assael Our coastlines are the first defense against encroaching seas and severe storm damage. Sea level rise and, in some areas, land subsidence, are increasing the vulnerability of coastal communities. Coastal restoration projects are vital in preventing the worst impacts of weak shorelines. Adding dunes, sand, wetlands, or a living shoreline can save…
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By Jake Assael On July 27, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a report titled, ‘The US Military on the Front Lines of Rising Seas,’ detailing the risks rising seas pose on our coastal military installations. It analyzed 18 military bases on the East and Gulf coasts, for their potential exposure to the increasing risks…
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By Jake Assael On July 18, the Senate begins its mid-Summer recess putting its legislative duties aside until returning on September 5. With the break looming over members the pressure to pass vital legislation continues to mount. The two-month hiatus will stall a series of bills on the Senate’s Calendar of Business, awaiting floor time…
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By Jake Assael On June 7, voters in the nine-county Bay Area passed Measure AA, a $12-per-parcel tax that will restore wetlands in order to stave off the worst effects of sea-level rise. The parcel tax, which will take effect in 2017, and expire in 2037, will generate $500 million ($25 million annually) and restore…
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