BIO-ERA Announces Release of Major New Report on Regional Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies for the Hudson River Watershed
Bio-era today announced the release of a major new report documenting the results of the Rising Waters project, a multi-stakeholder scenario development process facilitated by bio-era and designed to consider the likely impacts of climate change on the Hudson Valley through 2030 - with recommendations to improve the capacity of the Valley to withstand and adapt to the expected changes.
Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) May 20, 2009 -- Bio-era today announced the release of a major new report documenting the results of the Rising Waters project, a multi-stakeholder scenario development process facilitated by bio-era and designed to consider the likely impacts of climate change on the Hudson Valley through 2030 - with recommendations to improve the capacity of the Valley to withstand and adapt to the expected changes.
Key findings of the Rising Waters project include:
| | - Climate change is already underway in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed (HREW), and the best available scientific evidence is that the climate in the Hudson River Valley will become increasingly warm, wet, and variable through at least the end of this century.
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| | - Expected increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather pose the most immediate and serious direct threats to human and ecosystem health and well-being in the HREW between now and 2030.
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| | - Sea-level rise due to global warming is a serious threat to human and ecosystem health over the course of this century but is not likely to exceed more than one foot between now and 2030. However, recent reports indicate that these projections are conservative.
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| | - Other significant potential threats due to climate change could arise within the 20 year time-horizon of the scenarios (such as increases in invasive pests and diseases, or the intensification and frequency of hurricanes making landfall in the region), but the extent and character of these risks are difficult to assess at this time.
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| | - The capacity of the people and institutions of the HREW to withstand and adapt to changing climate will depend critically on preparing for expected impacts beforehand, and particularly on decisions and actions taken around land-use and regulation
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Key recommendations in response:
| | - Improve community planning, communication and preparedness for extreme weather events
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| | - Incorporate expected changes, such as more frequent flooding and heat waves, into all land-use decision-making processes
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| | - Guide future development out of flood-prone areas
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| | - Improve the resiliency of the Hudson Valley's shorelines, natural systems, and critical infrastructure
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| | - Apply cost-effective green technologies and use natural systems to reduce the vulnerability of people and properties to flooding and heat waves
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| | - Create a state climate change adaptation fund
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| | - Conserve healthy forest, wetland, and river ecosystems as well as agricultural resources as they are vital to successful climate change adaptation
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The full report may be downloaded here Rising Waters Report.
"The best available science tells us that future climate in the Hudson Valley is most likely to be significantly warmer, wetter, and more variable," said Steve Aldrich, President of bio-era. "The Rising Waters project has uncovered many affordable actions that could be taken now, which will help minimize the negative impacts of the coming changes in climate. As Noah understood, it's alot smarter and cheaper to build your ark before it starts raining."
By highlighting the most important future impacts of climate change and what should be done to improve preparedness, the Rising Waters report seeks to identify what can be done to strengthen the capacity of the Valley's natural systems and human communities to adapt to the expected impacts. The report scenarios and evaluation methodologies provide a framework for local governments, communities, businesses, and individuals to work together to increase their preparedness and adaptive capacity to climate change.
"For a long time now, the conversation around climate change has centered on reducing carbon emissions," says Stuart Findlay, Aquatic Ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. "While mitigation is certainly important, we also need to pay attention to the types of actions we can be doing to prepare for future climate change. Rising Waters represents a new opportunity to work together so that we can make a difference for everyone who lives and works in the Hudson Valley."
Rising Waters is spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy's Eastern New York Chapter and its partners, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Hudson River National Estuarine Reserve, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University, and Sustainable Hudson Valley. Bio Economic Research Associates facilitated the scenario planning process.
To learn more, visit Rising Waters project website
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