When We Can No Longer Hold Back the Sea
Coastal Atlantic states, such as Virginia and New Hampshire, are recognizing the need to address rising sea levels.
… two-thirds of the economy of Hampton Roads is based on “things significantly related to sea rise,” [Professor of Economics James V.] Koch said, and most especially Virginia Beach. A sustained rise in sea levels would be “a big thing” for the beach and those who make a living off it, Koch said.
Our recent “Pay Now, Pay Later” report highlighted the real economic impact of climate change for each individual state. It concluded that not only would states struggle to deal with the effects of climate change in the future if they ignore it for now, but also that there were real and significant benefits to be realized by being proactive on climate change and the environment.
As highlighted in this Washington Post article, nowhere is that conclusion more apparent than Virginia Beach, which could lose a significant portion of its namesake (the beach) within 50 years. In a cruel act of nature, not only is the threat of sea level rise highest for an area of its size, the region is also “sinking” for geological reasons. Furthermore, the Atlantic states have become increasingly vulnerable to storm damage, with federally declared storms increasing 50% over the last 20 years, according to a report by the group Clean Air, Cool Planet, increasing flooding through the region. These changes will have a significant impact on the people who live in this area and those in the tourism industry, which is a huge portion of Virginia Beach’s economy, generating $854 million and 13,600 jobs for the city in 2008 alone.
Thus, Virginia and other states are recognizing the need to act, and the EPA has some new guidelines for this purpose. In its report “Rolling Easements” (available here), the EPA reveals new thinking on flood control and rising sea levels. In previous decades, guided by the Army Corps of Engineers, local governments have erected expensive reinforcements, such as dikes and seawalls, to shore up coastlines and prevent flooding. Now the EPA is arguing that the combination of unprecedented sea level rise and damaging storms, the focus should be on avoiding vulnerable areas for public infrastructure projects and encouraging private builders to do the same. Without these efforts, insurance policies will skyrocket and the cost of reinforcing barriers will become prohibitive.
Indeed, the most practical response for coastal regions to sea level rise is to avoid expensive building projects in areas vulnerable to flooding. However, it is important to remember that uncontrollable sea level rise and storm-induced flooding are not predetermined. There are many things to be done on a wider scale to mitigate climate change and perhaps curb sea level rise. We could invest in clean energy technology and encourage our friends to do the same.
Regardless, it is important to remember that climate change is happening, and there are serious economic costs for each and every state associated with doing nothing to adapt to it.
