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Passing a regulatory requirement for a seller or landlords to disclose a property’s flood risks or past flood damages (i.e., a “flood disclosure” law) would encourage Floridians to make fiscally informed decisions about flood risk before renting or buying.

Today, a broad group of environmental, civic, and environmental justice organizations celebrate New York State’s action requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to better protect communities and the region from damaging and frequent flooding harms. In response to demands from the public as well as state and federal elected officials, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) last week sent a letter to overhaul the $52.6 billion storm surge protection plan proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The State’s letter triggers a required process in federal law for the Corps to holistically study and provide solutions to address frequent tidal and river flooding, heavy rainfall, groundwater emergence, erosion, sea level rise, and storm surge as a part of the Corps’ New York- New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Study. The state’s letter joins concerns raised by a group of 14 bipartisan Members of Congress and 38 New York State legislators.

Increasingly intense and more frequent severe weather events are impacting our marshlands, wetlands, and sounds, which in turn directly - and adversely - affects our coastal communities and our hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational history and traditions. The post North Carolina’s coastal wetlands and marshlands are a critical lifeforce for hunters and anglers first appeared on Growing Returns.

EDF story map shows how states are using natural infrastructure to address climate impacts.

Mangroves are important for some communities in Ecuador who rely on the crabs that live among the roots to sustain their livelihoods, but the coastal wetland forests are also an important part in fighting climate change.

Earlier this year, city officials and community members celebrated the completion of a $112 million watershed resilience project. It shows that transformational climate action is possible when community members have a seat at the decision-making table.  The post Transformational climate adaptation puts communities at the center. This project shows us how. first appeared on Growing Returns.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established by the United Nations General Assembly to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience. In the United States, this day comes on the heels of a major blow to our Nation’s wetlands. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to narrow the scope of protections for wetlands, as defined in the Clean Water Act. As result, this landmark decision could cause detrimental impacts to the environment, communities and economy. The post On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, protecting the Nation’s wetlands is more important and urgent than ever first appeared on Growing Returns.

Research shows that investing in flood resilience saves at least $6 for every $1 spent pre-disaster, which is why it’s so important to start planning for climate impacts now. Virginia leaders must continue to build flood resilience through four big initiatives.  The post 4 opportunities for Virginia’s General Assembly to build statewide flood resilience first appeared on Growing Returns.

Over the last 87 years, Florida has spent at least $1.9 billion on beach nourishment, and state and local governments pay $30 to $50 million per year to maintain their coastlines. While this may mean beautiful beaches, taxpayers should question if beach nourishment alone is the best investment for Florida in the long-term.   The post Will adding more sand to Florida’s beaches save them? Experts share why this isn’t enough. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Louisiana’s coastal wetlands are disappearing at the rate of a football field every 100 minutes. The state has a plan to get them back. 

Environmental Defense Fund thanks leaders, as well as businesses, conservation groups and community members, for working to build a more flood-resilient North Carolina. Let’s look at how far we’ve come in the last five years.   The post Five years after Hurricane Florence, EDF looks back at efforts to build resilience in North Carolina first appeared on Growing Returns.

Ian, then Nicole, now Idalia - it’s time to ask ourselves if Florida will be ready when another big storm hits. Here at EDF, the Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds team is focused on building resilience in Florida and ensuring communities are prepared for the increasingly frequent and severe weather events that are predicted. In recent months, there's been a lot of progress – but there’s still a long way to go. Let’s look at how far we’ve come, and ways leaders can further prioritize a more resilient future.   The post It’s nearly one year since Hurricane Ian. Will Florida be ready when another storm hits? first appeared on Growing Returns.

Today during a special session, Virginia lawmakers voted to finalize amendments to the state’s upcoming fiscal year budget and have made resilience-building programs a greater priority. Once signed by Governor Youngkin, this budget allocates $100 million to the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund and will allow local governments to help property owners finance flood resilience projects and programs across the state.

Published in the scientific journal Earth's Future and supported in part by funding from Environmental Defense Fund, a new research agenda focuses on the intersection between the increased use of storm surge barriers and the resulting estuary impacts. These are three key takeaways from our research. The post The impact of storm surge barriers on estuaries and ecosystems first appeared on Growing Returns.

Today a broad group of environmental, civic and environmental justice organizations announced their shared demands for a major overhaul of the $52.6 billion storm surge protection plan proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), calling for a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple flood hazards and prioritizes historically disadvantaged communities in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region.

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), alongside partners and supporters, celebrate the start of a long-awaited $2.9 billion initiative to reconnect the Mississippi River to the Barataria Basin, thus transforming 21 square miles of dying wetlands into a lush and thriving ecosystem.

Thirteen years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Louisiana broke ground on the largest ecosystem restoration project in history. The Mid-Barataria sediment diversion will restore the flow of the Mississippi River into Louisiana’s degraded, vanishing wetlands, providing storm surge and flood protection and restoring fish and wildlife habitat. 

Climate science tells us a lot about how and why hurricanes are becoming more dangerous. Stronger hurricanes are becoming more frequent, for one thing. 

Environmental Defense Fund supports the leadership of New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Environmental Protection and their commitment to protect communities from riverine flood risk and stormwater runoff.

Over the past year, leaders have responded to our call to act – a call that was supported by more than a hundred organizations around the country. Here are two major ways their efforts can prepare us for the next hurricane. The post Hurricane season is here again. And finally, leaders are addressing multiple flood risks. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Climate science tells us a lot about how and why hurricanes are becoming more dangerous. Stronger hurricanes are becoming more frequent, for one thing.

EDF advocates for an approach to the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Study that is multi-hazard, community-centered and prioritizes nature-based solutions.

In recent weeks, new legislation has advanced the prioritization of climate resilience in the state of Florida.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022) passed through Congress last December as part of the this typically biennial and bipartisan legislation invests in water infrastructure by authorizing projects, studies and programs led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The post How new provisions in the Water Resources Development Act are building climate resilience first appeared on Growing Returns.

Environmental Defense Fund and Texas A&M University published a new study that found all states in the U.S. are at risk from the effects of climate change, particularly neighborhoods experiencing disproportionate environmental harms and risks, health disparities and infrastructure problems.