Coastal preservation and climate change adaptation

Entry Into Climate Change Adaption Surfrider’s 30 years of coastal preservation advocacy applies directly to climate change. Limit impacts to ecosystems, public access & recreation. Limit hard structures so coastal processes can maintain a natural sand flow to the beach/dune= a natural barrier. Focus on: managed retreat increased setbacks regional sediments plans limited dredge and fill Adaption similar to our 30 yrs of advocacy. We are painfully aware of coastal erosion impacts—increased erosion, damaged habitats, and public infrastructure, First, we want development pulled back from the shoreline so coastal processes can maintain a natural sand flow to the beach and dune systems in order to create a natural barrier that helps combat storms and extreme weather events (i.e. managed retreat).  

Surfrider’s Strategic Approach to Climate Change Widely educate our supporters, the general public, and decision makers about climate change impacts to our ocean and coast. Influence local, state, and national planning efforts to be more ‘proactive’ and incorporate climate change adaptation measures (i.e. managed retreat, increased setbacks, erosion control via “living shorelines”, etc.) Support the work of other strategic partners to decrease CO2 and greenhouse gases. Advocate for policy reform (i.e. improve land use policies, emergency responses plans, insurance programs and end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and “redevelopment” in vulnerable coastal areas). Surfrider’s Strategic Approach to Climate Change

Coastal and Ocean Impacts Related to Climate Change Sea Level Rise—6 feet by 2100. More extreme storms Stronger Hurricanes Altered ocean currents Increased ocean temperature Altered ocean salinity Beach Erosion Ocean acidification Reduced ecosystem health and increased vulnerability Loss of coral reefs Potential loss of surfing waves This slide is purposeful—busy with words. There so many coastal/ocean impacts from climate change and we need to find a simple way of explaining it and what we can do about it.

Coastal Climate Change Impacts Sea Level Rise Current global rise (since 1901): 7.4 inches 2100 projected (U.S.): 6 ft What causes Sea Level Rise?? Melting ice caps (hence more H2O). Warm water expands H20 molecules.

Ocean Acidification Carbon Absorbing Oceans Absorbs 2/3 of CO2 changing ocean chemistry Sea Butterfly in acidic water for 2100 projections. Ocean Acidification documented in Maine and the Pacific Northwest.

Bleaching occurs when symbiotic algae that lives within coral tissues are expelled due to warmer temperatures. Algae give corals’ color so when algae leave coral, the reef appears white.

Addressing Climate Change Push for integration of SLR science in decision making Mitigation measures (Green streets, Ocean Friendly Gardens, emissions reduction, etc.) Advancing Climate Change Adaptation (managed retreat, setbacks, erosion control, “living shorelines”, etc..) Incentivizing Adaptation Measures. (grants, tax breaks for managed retreat, deed restrictions, easements, etc.)

Resilient Retreat Inevitable! “Managed retreat is one of the only true options for adapting to looming sea level rise, ” said Professor Gary Griggs at a UCI Adaption Conference. Moving Infrastructure is more cost effective than continual armoring. City of Imperial Beach’s long-term assessment of using managed retreat over armoring. Study concluded that by 2100, City will spend nearly five times as much on armoring compared to managed retreat. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reminds us that in face of sea level rise every $1 spent on reducing the risks from disasters now will save around $7 of damages later.

Lighthouse Beach Coos Bay, OR Our Oregon Chapter network worked with a local home owner to relocate their home out of harms way.

Body Copy Surfer’s Point in Ventura—Relocate bike path & parking lot; restore beach to natural conditions--preserve public beach access.

Can’t Move it…Manage it. Watershed and dune restoration to prevent erosion. Advocating for “Living Shorelines” that encompass natural shoreline stabilization techniques made up of natural elements (e.g., vegetation , oyster reefs, buried/anchored logs, sills, etc) for added stability. Living shorelines maintain continuity of the natural land-water interface and reduce erosion while providing habitat value and enhancing coastal resilience. Living shorelines can reduce armoring, but do not work in all situations, and can be expensive. In order to pursue Living Shorelines, partner with experts and local municipalities.

Surfrider Dune Planting and Cleanup Efforts Post Hurricane Sandy

Influencing Decision Makers Surfrider has been working with state agencies, academics and other experts to strengthen planning documents. Best approach! Go to planning commission meetings! Read local land use and zoning ordinances, state laws, and current policy changes. Advocate for broader policy reform (improved emergency responses plans, insurance programs and end subsidies for the fossil fuel industry and “redevelopment” in vulnerable coastal areas).

Washington Planning Example Shoreline Master Program State mandated & developed by counties Prioritize access, restoration plans, identifying critical areas. Surfrider is an official stakeholder in process. Goals: Protect natural resources Incorporate adaptation Build Climate resilient communities

Florida Policy Reform Example “This legislation brings much needed reforms to better protect the taxpayers who support Property Insurance. Additionally, this law protects the environment by removing subsidies for new construction in environmentally sensitive coastal areas.”  Governor Scott Law ends state subsided insurance for new construction or “improvements” seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line or within the Coastal Barrier Resource System.

Reading the Oceans A surfboard fin that measures temps, acidity, salinity, GPS. Data is recorded on the fin and uploaded using a Smartphone app after each surf session. Collects coastal ocean chemistry data in places where it is difficult to place traditional sensors. Engages citizens in ocean science through the power of surfing. Could help to ground truth satellite temperature measurements and inform acidification and coral bleaching.

Thank you!