|
“Maryland must take action now to prepare for the consequences of climate change. We do not have time to wait as we are already experiencing damaging impacts of sea level rise and intensified storms along Maryland’s coast. Harnessing nature’s ability to adapt and heal itself, we will plant more trees to help capture excessive carbon pollution, restore more wetlands and living shorelines to help shield us from flooding and coastal storms, and plan ahead to reduce the vulnerability of Maryland’s people, homes, investments, and wildlife.”
John R. Griffin, Department of Natural Resources Secretary
|
Maryland’ s people, wildlife, land and public investments are at risk due to the consequences of climate change including sea level rise, increased storm intensity, extreme drought and heat waves, and intensified wind and rainfall events. Under the leadership of Governor Martin O’Malley, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is coordinating the development and implementation of the State’s
Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Vulnerability to Climate Change.
How does climate change affect Maryland’s environment?
 Due to its geography and geology, the Chesapeake Bay region is ranked the third most vulnerable to sea level rise, behind Louisiana and Southern Florida. Historic tide records show that sea level increased approximately one foot in the Chesapeake Bay over the last one hundred years. As a consequence of climate change, sea level is likely to rise at least twice as fast as it did during the 20th century, resulting in potentially 1-foot rise by 2050 and between 2 – 3 feet of rise by 2100. As sea level rises, coastal flood events will intensify, salt-water will intrude into freshwater aquifers, shoreline erosion rates will increase, and our tidal wetlands and low-lying lands will be inundated or submerged.
What is Maryland doing?
The O’Malley/Brown Administration has taken several proactive steps to combat climate change, establishing Maryland as a national leader for this cause. Highlights include:
-
DNR Deputy Eric Schwaab Testifies before Congress
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deputy Secretary Eric Schwaab testified Thursday, October 22, 2009 before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Deputy Secretary Schwaab outlined for the committee Maryland’s strategic plan for climate change developed in 2008. To view his testimony click here.
-
Climate Action Plan – In Aug. 2008, Maryland’s Commission on Climate Change issued its Climate Action Plan that details the effects global warming will have on our state and recommends 42 specific actions to reduce global warming pollution and protect Maryland’s people and property from rising sea levels and changing weather patterns.
- EmPower Maryland is helping Marylanders reduce their energy use by at least 15 percent by 2015 through energy efficient buildings, promoting purchase of energy star and environmentally friendly products, and expansion of the community energy loan program.
- Regional Greenhouse Initiative – In April 2007 Maryland became the 10th state to join the northeast regional climate change and energy efficiency initiative, the first cap-and-trade effort to control carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Maryland’s participation in RGGI will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the state’s electrical generators by roughly 10 percent from current levels by 2019.
- Clean Cars Act – Implemented stricter emissions regulations for cars purchased and registered in Maryland, joining 16 other states in requiring stronger emission standards.
|
|
What is the Department of Natural Resources doing about climate change?
DNR Secretary John R. Griffin chairs the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s , Adaptation and Response Working Group, a stakeholder-based body charged with developing the Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Vulnerability to Climate Change. The Strategy is a key component of the Maryland Climate Action Plan and details the actions necessary to protect Maryland’s future economic well-being, environmental heritage and public safety in the face of climate change and sea level rise.
 DNR realizes that combating climate change in Maryland means protecting and restoring our natural resources such as: tidal wetlands and marshes, vegetated buffers and Bay islands that shield Maryland’s coastal environments from the impacts of sea level rise and coastal storms. Emphasis must also be placed on updating our current buildings to prepare for emergencies, directing future development away from areas of sea level rise, reducing energy usage and assess how climate change will affect the management of the Maryland’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. DNR is focused on providing its state and local partners with the tools and technical services they need in order to plan for climate change, as their leadership in directing these efforts is imperative.
In April, 2009, more than 170 mayors, county commissions, environmentalists, business leaders and Maryland state officials came together for an interactive summit about community-level responses to climate risks such as sea-level rise and storm surge that threaten the state's coast. The summit's centerpiece was an innovative negotiation role-play that demonstrated the key challenges and policy options coastal communities face. To view television coverage of the event, visit: http://wjz.com/local/sea.level.2.995688.html. Maryland's Department of Natural Resources announced during the event a grants program to help bring this exercise and discussion into the state's coastal communities. Full press release: (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2009/042709c.html) and link to the website: http://maryland.coastsmart.org/
What can you do?
Small lifestyle changes we each can take accumulate significantly to reducing air pollution that causes climate change and preparing for its impact. Simple things like conserving energy at home and work; carpooling, walking or bicycling to work; and planting a tree make a real difference in our neighborhoods for both people and wildlife. Individuals living in the coastal zone should utilize “living shoreline” practices that combine marsh plantings with sills, groin fields or breakwaters to remedy shore erosion problems. If you are building or rebuilding in the coastal floodplain, elevate your home or business to 3 feet or more above the 100-year base flood elevation. Families should also develop a personal emergency response plan in preparation of hurricanes, heat waves and vector-borne illness. Click here for more helpful tips on what you can do to prevent climate change.
Photo of house by Wanda Cole, Maryland Eastern Shore RC&D
|
