Climate Change Adaptation - Increasing Resiliency

Adaptation efforts focus on proactively preparing for and adapting to changes we can’t prevent.

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is developing a comprehensive adaptation strategy that will effectively identify and address potential impacts to the environment and natural resources that our department is charged with protecting.

Activities that are currently underway:

The Division of Coastal Management hosted a public science forum Jan. 14-15, 2010, and has released a Coastal Resources Commission report on current and projected rates of sea level rise in North Carolina through 2100. This may be used for adaptation planning. This information will intersect with the Sea Level Rise Risk Management Study being conducted by the Division of Emergency Management.

The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan is being updated to address climate change impacts on each habitat type. Through the EPA Climate Ready Estuaries program, DENR is working with communities in the Albemarle-Pamlico region to improve the area’s resilience and adaptation capacity.

As a member of the North Carolina Interagency Leadership Team, DENR co-hosted a statewide Climate Change Adaptation Workshop March 2-3, 2010, called “Planning for North Carolina’s Future: Ask the Climate Question.” Presentations by experts explaining projected climate change impacts and adaptation strategies are archived online.