A Global Network for Coastal Resilience
Disaster risk reduction and nature-based solutions to coastal hazards and climate change
Coastal Resilience is an approach which includes planning frameworks and tools that support decisions to reduce the ecological and socio-economic risks of coastal hazards. The approach includes 4 critical elements:
Assess Risk and Vulnerability to coastal hazards
Identify Solutions using built and nature-based infrastructure
Take Action to implement adaptation solutions
Measure Effectiveness of reducing risk
Mounting evidence suggests that rising sea levels, coupled with related increases in storm surges, will increasingly put coastal populations at risk from inundation, storm damage, and saltwater intrusion. In order to adapt, decision-makers need access to information and tools that support choices for managing natural resources and protecting human communities. Without these resources, proactive solutions that reduce impacts and build resiliency for human and natural communities will remain elusive.
Exacerbating this acceleration of climate change, coastal communities are at even greater risk as their natural buffers such as coastal wetlands and dunes are lost. Mangroves, marshes, oyster reefs and coral reefs are already under enormous human pressure and their ability to be resilient is now in question. Rising seas, increased storm intensity, warming temperature and acidifying waters will further compromise the ability of coastal ecosystems to provide ongoing critical ecosystem services for people. And as our investments in coastal development increase, the costs of hazards will grow as we continue to loss these important ecosystems.
The Nature Conservancy and partners including the Natural Capital Project, NOAA, USGS, University of Southern Mississippi, United Nations University, and the Association of State Floodplain Managers are advancing a global network for Coastal Resilience to support adaptation planning and post-storm redevelopment decisions. The network includes a local to global decision support tool for examining social, economic, and ecological priorities alongside data on coastal hazards.
