Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues globally. Many topics discussed on this website are worsened by climate change. This page provides an overview on how climate change works and how it may impact coastlines.
What Causes Climate Change
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect refers to when incoming energy from sunlight is absorbed and released by the Earth. However, when the energy is released it can be trapped by gases in the atmosphere. These gases are called greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring process that allows for life on Earth. While the process is natural, human activities have greatly increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As the concentration of greenhouse gases increases in the atmosphere, the Earth is becoming warmer.
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To see how the greenhouse effect works, click the button below.
What are Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases refer to any gas that causes the greenhouse effect by trapping heat. Greenhouse gases primarily enter the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels. The amount of time a greenhouse gas remains in the atmosphere varies by each gas.
Climate Change and Coastal Areas
Coastal Threats
Climate change is a severe threat to coastal areas. Climate change will worsen storms and sea level rise rates, leaving coastal communities vulnerable. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 40% of the U.S. population lives along the coastline and $1 trillion in property is within 700ft of the coast. Given the high density along U.S. coastlines, it is critical to understand the threat climate change poses to coastal areas.
Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise refers to changing sea levels due to melting ice and hotter surface waters. For more information on how sea level rise may impact coastlines, click the button below.
Storm Intensity
As climate change raises temperatures globally, there is concern that hurricanes will become more severe. The increase in storm strength is expected to occur from larger amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere and warmer surface waters fueling storms. For more information on how climate change will impact hurricanes click the button below.
Climate Change and the New Jersey Coastline
What to expect
Climate change will increase both erosion and flooding along the New Jersey coast. Many areas such as Atlantic City are at risk of severe flooding based on current sea level rise projections. Furthermore, erosion will increase the frequency of beach replenishment projects putting a financial burden on coastal communities. For more information on how climate change will negatively impact the New Jersey coast, click the button below.
Solutions to Climate Change
Mitigation
Adaptation
Adaptation
Climate mitigation refers to actions that prevent climate change at the source. Mitigation actions aim to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. For more information on how climate mitigation works and examples of mitigation action, click the button below.
Adaptation
Adaptation
Adaptation
Climate adaptation refers to preparing and adjusting to climate change. For more information on how the U.S. is adapting to climate change, click the button below.
Resilience
Adaptation
Resilience
Climate resilience refers to the ability of an area to withstand the effects of climate change. To learn more about climate resilience, click the button below.
Coastal Carbon Sinks
Blue Carbon
Blue carbon refers to carbon dioxide that has been stored in either the ocean or coastal regions. Blue carbon can accumulate in phytoplankton, mangroves, salt marshes, and many other ecosystems along the coastline. Blue carbon sources are beneficial because they both provide habitat while also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For more information on blue carbon and how coastal ecosystems help fight climate change, click the button below.