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Wetlands can be powerhouses for climate adaptation and resilience. This World Wetlands Day, we are highlighting one type of wetland that impacts people the most – coastal urban wetlands. The post Three ways to take bold action to protect urban coastal wetlands first appeared on Growing Returns.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) signed the Record of Decision approving permits for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion. Backed by decades of inn

Sustainable seafood grown in United States federal waters is one step closer to being on the menu today as Congress considers a new bipartisan measure — the Science-based Equitable Aquaculture Food Act, or SEAfood Act.

As communities in southwest Florida, Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the Caribbean struggle to recover from the damages of an active hurricane season, efficient, proactive resilience solutions have never been more important. The post Building climate resilience requires a whole-of-government approach. Here’s how Louisiana is making it happen. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Joint study released by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Ricardo PLC, examines the potential marine environmental impacts of ammonia spills during its use as a shipping fuel.

This is one of three reports produced by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) ocean science team as part of a two-year EDF project on natural climate solutions (NCS). The present report attempts to describe the state of the science, including key uncertainties, surrounding interventions based on restoring and protecting coastal blue carbon ecosystems.

The devastation of Hurricane Sandy launched scores of efforts across New York and New Jersey to prepare for the next storm. But some residents are no more protected today than they were a decade ago. EDF and partners are working to build resilience in this critical region. 

EDF statement of Emily Steinhilber, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Virginia

North Carolina is taking steps to ensure coastal resilience following the storm.

EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

EDF and partners at Cornell University launched a two-part social science study to examine Louisiana residents’ risk perceptions related to coastal land loss and climate change.

While Virginia’s General Assembly concluded its 2022 legislative session with several successes, more work is needed – particularly in securing long-term funding for flood resilience, to protect people and natural resources from flood threats now and in the future. The post Virginia’s Legislature made progress on flood resilience in 2022, but significant work remains. first appeared on Growing Returns.

As we close out American Wetlands Month, here are six reasons why one of nature's richest ecosystems provide value to our lives every month of the year. The post Six reasons why wetlands are vital every month of the year. first appeared on Growing Returns.

By: Kristin M. Kleisner and Jamie Collins As we embark this year on the United Nations Ocean Decade, you may be hearing quite a bit about blue carbon. But what is it, and why is it so important for the future of our planet?  Well, the oceans play a critical role in trapping carbon, and they …

EDF guide to blue carbon, the carbon stored in ocean waters and the sediments and plants of coastal habitats.

Here are five recommendations for how government leaders can increase the resilience of coastal communities before the worst effects of sea level rise take hold. The post The sea is rising faster than ever. How can we prepare? first appeared on Growing Returns.

Va media statement on NOAA SLR report

NOAA’s National Ocean Service and interagency partners released an updated technical report highlighting the risks facing people living in coastal communities.

Press release on NOAA technical sea level rise report

EDF statement of Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

With a new coastal resilience master plan, Virginia leaders have an opportunity to identify and prepare for climate-induced flood risks that impact all Virginians. The post Nearly 1 million Virginians are at risk of flooding by 2080. The state just released a plan to address that risk. first appeared on Growing Returns.

When it comes to slowing the warming of our planet, there is no substitute for immediate, dramatic reductions in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. But emissions reductions alone won’t be enough to limit warming to the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal at the heart of the 2015 Paris Agreement, or even to the Agreement’s upper limit of …

How coastal cities can better fund natural infrastructure and protect their residents. The post Virginia Beach’s new flood bond can be a model for other cities. Here’s how. first appeared on Growing Returns.

EDF Statement from Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

Statement by Will McDow, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Environmental Defense Fund