New England Climate Adaptation Project Featured in the News

Wrapping up its final phase, the New England Climate Adaptation Project, a joint effort from CBI, the MIT Science Impact Collaborative, and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's Science Collaborative, has been prominently featured in the news of the local towns it has worked in. The NECAP initiative focused on the towns of Barnstable, MA; Dover, NH; Wells, ME; and Cranston, RI and is currently in the process of summarizing their findings and writing case studies for future climate adaptation programs.

The final meetings and the project itself were recently featured in articles below.

From the Journal Tribune:

"Town of Wells seeks resident buy-in to combat climate change"

According to a new scientific report sponsored by the New England Climate Adaption Project, the Town of Wells faces several risks over the next century due to climate change, the most notable being the risk of increased flooding from intense precipitation events, coastal storm surges and rising sea levels.
The scientific report was shared with approximately 40 Wells town officials and stakeholders at a May 27 public input workshop, held at Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm. “We know what the science says and what the adaptation options are, but we needed to hear from the people of Wells about what steps the town should consider going forward,” said Town Manager Jonathan Carter, who presented at the workshop.
A scientific team of researchers at MIT, the University of New Hampshire and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System authored the report. They predict that Wells could see a significant increase in the occurrence of extreme heat events, with the worst case climate projections indicating that Wells could experience more than 10 times as many days over 90 degrees Fahrenheit per year by the end of the century.
The report also included detailed maps predicting sea levels in Wells could climb by as much as five feet by 2085, greatly impacting Wells’ barrier islands and the homes that have been built there. “It’s alarming to see that a significant portion of the Wells coastline will be under water by the end of the century, especially since beach tourism and marine habitats are fundamental to our local economy and way of life,” said Dr. Christine Feurt, a professor at the University of New England and a director at the Center for Sustainable Communities Department of Environmental Studies.

From the Cranston Herald:

"Climate change project points to city’s risks, seeks ways to adapt"

How will climate change impact Cranston?
Researchers say hotter days will become more frequent, as will extreme precipitation events. Sea levels will rise, and flooding will continue to be a significant issue. They say the extent of the shift, however, is still to be determined – and that steps can be taken to both mitigate and prepare for what’s on the horizon.
“This is really about doing better planning today,” said Danya Rumore, a doctoral candidate and project manager with the New England Climate Adaptation Project, during a recent climate change presentation and workshop at City Hall. “You’re going to feel impacts. It’s a global issue with local effects … We don’t know exactly what’s coming, so let’s plan to be adaptable.”
The climate adaptation project – a combined effort of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Science Impact Collaborative and the Consensus Building Institute that was funded through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s Science Collaborative – has focused on Cranston and the communities of Wells, Maine; Dover, N.H.; and Barnstable, Mass.
“Our intent is on helping communities move forward on difficult problems that require a lot of voices to come together,” said Carri Hulet of the Consensus Building Institute.

From The Barnstable Patriot:

"Local Climate Project Concludes"

About 40 citizens and town and agency officials interested in the effects of climate change on Barnstable participated in a concluding workshop of the two-year New England Climate Adaptation Project (NECAP) Wednesday at Town Hall. The organizations involved in the project expressed hope that this is only a beginning of getting more people to think about climate-related risks and climate preparedness for future risks such as flooding and coastal erosion on the area.
As part of the study, more than 140 participants from Barnstable and Cape Cod attended a mock decision-making process last fall. Also 100 Barnstable residents participated in two randomized public opinion polls on climate issues in 2013.
The town’s Growth Management Department partnered in the project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Science Impact Collaborative, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Consensus Building Institute with the help of climate scientists at the University of New Hampshire.