Latest news with #CoastalReview
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts warn that new strategies are needed to combat emerging threat to US coastlines: 'Embracing an alliance'
Amid rising sea levels, people in coastal communities may need to change the way they deal with the relentlessly advancing waters. It would behoove North Carolinians to alter their approach and work with nature rather than against it, Duke University marine biology student Ava Kocher wrote for the North Carolina Coastal Federation's Coastal Review. She said residents were fighting a losing battle to maintain their properties along the state's coast, warning that seawalls and bulkheads were a waste of money and suggesting that living shorelines can help shift "this combative approach" as "a step in the right direction." The Tarheel State's coastal marshes are shifting as rising global temperatures melt ice and expand seawater. These ecosystems are able to retreat with this slow onslaught — unless they are blocked by concrete or another human-made structure. Alyson Flynn, an environmental economist at the North Carolina Coastal Federation, told Kocher that the construction of such infrastructure on individual properties has forced neighbors to put up the same walls, as their land was eroding faster without it. "They felt like the only way to protect their property was to also put up a seawall," she said. "And so then it had this barricading effect across the whole shoreline." North Carolina will lose 98,000 acres of salt marsh by 2100, Coastwatch magazine reported last year. This is because rising sea levels are accelerating and outpacing land elevation gains. The results include a higher water table and more frequent and severe floods — and all the problems that come with those symptoms of the rapidly overheating planet, such as increasing fatalities, property damage, and insurance costs from extreme weather events such as hurricanes. "Sea level rise, that might be like your allergies … and then comes a hurricane," Christine Voss, a retired research associate at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, told Kocher. "And because you may have been worn down by your allergies, when the cold or the pneumonia or the flu comes by, you're actually more susceptible." Instead of hardening land in an impossible bid to ward off the sea, however, living shorelines — featuring plants, sand, or rock — can help mitigate risk and buy time, as one Havelock family showed. Kocher noted that homeowners Vernon and Michele Kelly chose this route instead of replacing a worn-out bulkhead. "Minnows seem to have figured out, 'Hey, we've got a sort of … haven here.' I've seen an increase of blue crabs in that sill area. And I actually had one oyster starting to grow," Vernon Kelly said. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "What we've done, it'll save it for my lifetime, maybe my kids. But if Mother Nature really decides she wants to do something, we can't stop her," he added. As Vernon Kelly noted, this may be a long-term solution compared to a human lifespan, but it's actually temporary. Because the warming of Earth is caused primarily by the burning of dirty energy sources, the solution is to transition to cleaner forms of power, such as solar and wind. Swapping personal vehicle trips for public transit rides, making your next car an electric vehicle, and shopping at thrift stores help cut down the production of heat-trapping pollution — and will save you money. "Living shorelines are not the answer to save the coasts but they are a potential action toward reimagining future coastal resilience," Kocher concluded. "Relinquishing the ideal of a manicured waterfront is the start of embracing an alliance with the ecosystems we inhabit. Starting in backyards like Kelly's, there is an opportunity to recognize the value of wetlands and begin to dissolve the walls, physical and philosophical, built between humans and the sea." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue dire warning after dramatic behavioral shift in northern owls — here's why this change is so troubling
A recent discovery has experts sounding the alarm: Northern saw-whet owls are turning up far from their usual homes. These changes could have lasting effects on communities that rely on healthy environments for farming, recreation, and everyday well-being. The northern saw-whet owl, one of North America's smallest birds of prey, is migrating much farther than experts once believed. A report from Coastal Review shared insights from field biologist Noah Price, whose work confirms that these palm-sized owls are traveling hundreds of miles across the continent, often at night. Thanks to decades of bird banding and tools like isotope analysis, researchers with Project Owlnet have discovered that these owls are navigating far-flung forests and mountain corridors. This shift in migration patterns suggests not only that they rely on a wider range of habitats than once believed but also that they face more risks along the way. When wildlife starts turning up in unfamiliar places, it usually means their usual homes are no longer meeting their needs. For northern saw-whets, that might mean trouble finding food, staying cool, or nesting safely in forests increasingly altered by development and rising temperatures. As Coastal Review noted, more dominant species like the barred owl have already displaced native birds like the northern spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest. If saw-whets move into new areas, they could unintentionally put pressure on other vulnerable species. Owls help control rodent populations, making life easier for farmers, gardeners, and homeowners. When owl numbers dip or move away, communities may see more pests and less balance in local ecosystems. For rural families and agricultural workers, those shifts can hit close to home. Changes in animal behavior also impact food security, economic stability, and public health. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Fortunately, researchers are working hard to understand and respond to these changes. Conservation groups involved in Project Owlnet are tracking owl movements through banding, recorded calls, and biological sampling to gather essential data. You don't have to be a scientist to pitch in. Letting native plants grow, reducing chemical use, and leaving older trees standing can make your yard a more welcoming place for birds. Communities are already seeing results. In Los Angeles, residents replaced thirsty lawns with native flowers to support birds and pollinators. In Texas, people have rewilded their front yards, giving native species a place to rest and thrive. Across the country, bee-friendly gardens are also helping pollinators bounce back, restoring balance in backyards and public parks alike. These small actions can make a big difference. Creating bird-friendly habitats helps keep our ecosystems and communities healthier, more resilient, and better prepared for the changes ahead. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Innovative projects could save beloved US region from disappearing: 'First of their kind"
Officials with the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary and Audubon Center at Pine Island are taking a major step to combat sea level rise in North Carolina's Outer Banks. With a $3.05 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the sanctuary aims to restore and protect over 2,600 acres of vital marshland through innovative pilot projects. Marsh islands that protect Currituck Sound have long shielded the Outer Banks from flooding. But with rising sea levels — worsened by the burning of dirty energy and disrupted sediment flow — these natural barriers are disappearing, leaving communities and ecosystems more vulnerable. Pine Island Audubon Center director Robbie Fearn has witnessed this firsthand. "You don't get the overwash anymore," he told Coastal Review. "A lot of what we're struggling with out here is that we don't have much sand." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. For coastal residents and anyone invested in preserving vulnerable shorelines, this project offers hope. The Pine Island Sanctuary is testing sustainable, nature-based solutions to restore these marshlands and protect homes and livelihoods from erosion and flooding. According to Coastal Review, techniques include coir logs made from biodegradable coconut fiber, pine tree breakwaters constructed from recycled trees, and thin-layer placement — a novel method of applying dredged sediment to restore marsh surfaces. If successful, these approaches could provide more cost-effective options for landowners looking to safeguard their property. "This is the culmination of many years of hard work and partnership across different organizations," said Cat Bowler, senior coastal resilience program manager at the National Audubon Society. She emphasized that these projects are among "the first of their kind in Currituck Sound," making research and experimentation crucial. The initiative aligns with broader efforts like the Inflation Reduction Act's climate resilience funding, which supports tax breaks and credits. Louisiana's coastal restoration programs have already demonstrated the effectiveness of nature-based solutions. Human-driven climate change has accelerated sea level rise, but solutions like marsh restoration are proving effective. By investing in wetlands, the Pine Island Sanctuary demonstrates how conservation can protect communities, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As climate challenges intensify, projects like this offer a path forward — helping communities protect their homes, livelihoods, and wildlife while ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
