Piloting climate extension methods: the Carolinas Coastal Climate Extension Initiative

1. Piloting climate extension methods: the Carolinas Coastal Climate Extension Initiative Jessica C. Whitehead S.C. Sea Grant Consortium & N.C. Sea Grant Southeast and Caribbean Climate Outreach Workshop 25 May 2010

2. Outline • The Sea Grant/CISA partnership • Climate extension activities • Opportunistic engagement • Community engagement • Mainstreaming adaptation into existing plans • Preparing for adaptation planning • Lessons learned

3. Climate Adaptation Engagement Matrix

4. The 2006 Sea Grant/CISA Vision Vision: A multi-disciplinary research/ outreach team providing timely and credible science-based climate information to coastal decision makers, who use that information to make ‘wise’ decisions taking in to account climate change & variability to better adapt to changing conditions.

5. Climate Extension Objectives • Develop the capacity of NC/SC Sea Grant to inform and educate coastal decision makers of the implications of climate variability and change for major coastal issues. • Provide tailored, decision relevant climate change information to coastal decision makers - organizations, governments, businesses, individuals. • Increase the capacity of the Sea Grant network regionally and nationally to research and deliver outreach programs on the impacts of climate variability and change for coastal stakeholders. • Evaluate and review increases in SG climate education and outreach capacity and approaches.

6. Approach: Focusing on the science • Educate first about climate variability… • What is it? • What are its current impacts? • …then about implications of changing climate in stakeholders’ daily lives… • …but avoid the politics of climate change! • Climate changing…regardless of why, how, who • Implications? • Preparing and adapting?

7. 2006 Climate Extension Information Transfer Model

8. Opportunistic Engagement Activities • Needs assessment • FAQ sheets • Coastal climate extension blog

9. Engaging Communities by Working with Local Climate Study Groups • Help existing KTCSG members develop outreach activities • Public displays • Community workshops • Adaptation planning • Establish two new Local Climate Study Groups • Starter packets • Social networking

10. Mainstreaming Sea Level Rise Adaptation in Plymouth, NC… • Exploring climate change, resilience perceptions • Assessing vulnerabilities to sea level rise • Facilitating adaptation planning

11. Overlay tidal flooding, SLR scenarios with critical infrastructure, historical properties Examine existing hazard plans for climate sensitivities Query planning staff on preferred delivery …and in Charleston, SC (charlestoncity.info 2008) (http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/action/hazards/chsflood.html)

12. Coastal Adaptation Planning Using an Interactive Risk-based Vulnerability Assessment Tool (S. Tuler, PI) • Investigate causal pathways of impacts from multiple climate-related hazards • Build vulnerability and consequence scenarios in mediated modeling groups • Work with stakeholders to refine, promote planning (nps.gov 2008)

13. Anticipating Adaptation Planning: Salt Water Intrusion in the Carolinas Under Climate Change CISA developing HSPF models of watershed hydrology, water quality Climate Land use change Water management decisions Extending previous CISA research to coastal issues

14. Guidance for South Carolina on Near-Term Coastal Adaptation Priorities (B. Davis, PI) • Use integrated spatial analyses: • Identify vulnerabilities • Work with decision-makers to prioritize adaptation • Workshops will bring results to SC stakeholders

15. Lessons learned • Working with other extension specialists, partners effective • Focus on science and risk, not politics • Relate climate to management concerns • Take advantage of existing planning structures • Flexibility critical

16. Jessica WhiteheadRegional Climate Extension Specialistc/o South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium287 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401O (843) 953-2090M (843) 693-1506jessica.whitehead@scseagrant.org