FEMA is redrawing flood maps and people aren't happy because most changes will result in higher flood insurance.  Listen in or read up on the latest in flood mapping in the NE:
Coastal Communities Challenge Updated FEMA New England Flood Maps
By Fred Bever • Sep 13, 2017

Many people think of wetlands as habitat, but it is time for the general public to learn that  besides being a cool place to kayak and provide homes for animals and plants, wetlands are essential for reducing flooding.  What price will we pay to conserve and build back these areas?

Check out the article "Putting a price tag on the flood-reducing value of wetlands by Brandon Keim | Sep 13, 2017 - With every big coastal storm, attention turns to the role of wetlands in reducing their destructiveness. Quantifying that service, however, is a difficult thing to do. Now a team of ecologists, engineers and risk modelers have provided two such price tags: $625 million in damage prevented by wetlands during Hurricane Sandy, and — in a New Jersey county broadly emblematic of the Atlantic coast — a 16 percent reduction in flood losses every single year."

 - "Catastrophic flooding in Houston from Hurricane Harvey is the latest reminder that floods kill more people in the United States than any other type of natural disaster and are the most common natural disaster worldwide. Many communities along U.S. coastlines have begun to take heed and have slowed development in coastal flood zones. The bad news, as Harvey shows, is that inland communities are also at risk – and in some, development in flood zones is increasing."

August 28 - The Conversation

- Click here for the rest of the article.

Author
Nina Lam
Distinguished Professor of Louisiana Environmental Studies, Louisiana State University

Disclosure statement - Research for this article was partially supported by two grants from the National Science Foundation.

Building Climate Resilience in Coastal Communities of the Caribbean
When seaweed thrives, fishing in and around Little Bay, Jamaica also improves. This alternative livelihoods project is one of many that make up the 14 coastal protection projects being implemented across the region by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre.
 
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/08/building-climate-resilience-coastal-communities-caribbean/

SAGE member Pam Judge wrote to share an article find she thinks SAGE should read.  The paper is by Chang et al 2016 "Introduction of Microbial Biopolymers in Soil Treatment for Future Environmentally-Friendly and Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering.  Pam wrote, "I think it does a nice job of comparing traditional "gray" technology of soil improvement (portland cement) with the more "green" alternative (biopolymers).  It compares the technologies in terms of carbon footprint, cost, effectiveness, constructability, etc.  I found it an interesting and timely article, and thought it might be a nice addition to the SAGE library."

SAGE member Brian McAdoo thought everyone who is interested in coastal resiliency should check this paper out because it delves into the financials of investing in natural infrastructure to reduce flooding.

FINANCING NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COASTAL FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION

Scientists and most of the public know that the Earth’s climate is changing.   Have you ever wondered what would happen if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases today?  How long would it take global warming to slow down?  This blog by Richard B. Rood, Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan addresses just that question.  The answer might surprise you...
If we stopped emitting greenhouse gases right now, would we stop climate change?

July 4, 2017 7.01pm EDT •Updated July 7, 2017 3.35pm EDT

Check out this really cool article about an ancient Roman sea wall that is getting stronger with age. 

"Ancient concrete may stall sea threat
By Ben Guarino, Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Two thousand years ago, Roman builders constructed vast sea walls and harbor piers. The concrete they used outlasted the empire — and still holds lessons for modern engineers, scientists say...

A bunch of half-sunken structures off the Italian coast might sound less impressive than a gladiatorial colosseum. But underwater, the marvel is in the material. The harbor concrete, a mixture of volcanic ash and quicklime, has withstood the sea for two millennia and counting. What’s more, it is stronger than when it was first mixed." 

For the rest of the article click here: 
http://epaper.bostonglobe.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=6ecb84ce-e1b0-4ef4-94c0-4ad031400da3

This information was just put out by Lauren Long - Coastal Conservation Specialist, NOAA Office for Coastal Management

"Interactive tools, such as CanVis and the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper, allow coastal managers to assess vulnerabilities and visualize natural infrastructure ideas. Additionally, a suite of training products is available to guide communities throughout the planning process; the instructor-led Introducing Green Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience covers fundamental concepts and practices, while the six-step publication, “A Guide to Assessing Green Infrastructure Costs and Benefits for Flood Reduction,” provides a practical approach to understanding the costs associated with this type of planning.

Natural infrastructure techniques have proven advantages, but the process can seem daunting. Instead of getting overwhelmed, use these Digital Coast resources to guide your efforts. You can find examples of communities that have benefited from our tools and training online."

Digital Coast Stories and ImpactsData and Tools in Action

Using Data to Build Better Beach Dunes
Altered dune systems diminish coastal defense, making coastal communities extremely vulnerable to “nor’easters.” Using NOAA data to analyze the beachfront can help communities assess a dune’s effectiveness as a storm surge barrier and, in turn, plan accordingly. That’s exactly what these New Jersey communities did.

Survey Says…Training Works
Graduates of the Digital Coast Academy—the training resources available on the Digital Coast—have been known to make a difference. Throughout the country, they have used skills they learned to build better coastal communities. In fact, a recent survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of respondents said they gained knowledge and skills that they would apply in their jobs. Read more about the survey results and success stories, and visit the Digital Coast Academy to create a success story of your own.
 
Additional Updates

Don’t Let a Diverting Dolphin Stop Your Meeting
There’s nothing worse than making progress in a meeting only to have it stopped short by a dominating personality or constant complainer. Learn how to handle these situations with NOAA’s Dealing with Disruptive Behaviors mobile tool. Get tips to help prepare for any type of situation.

Be a Part of Improving the Digital Coast Website
The Digital Coast was just revamped, but we never stop trying to improve. Help us assess changes to the site. Contact us if you would like to participate in our usability testing.

Training Calendar
See what trainings are coming up in the Training Calendar.