The Chesapeake Bay and its watershed are more than beautiful landscapes. They are the backbone of local economies, habitat for rare and fascinating species, and the home of complex systems between humans, wildlife, and policy. Intensifying climate change and urban development increase stressors negatively impacting this rich ecosystem and the people who rely on it. In 1998, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) produced its first annual “State of the Bay” report card.

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The second annual Scientists Serving Communities workshop brought together UMD researchers with expertise in climate adaptation and resilience and connected them with regional stakeholders and community members who will use the information to strengthen their communities. This approach to science actively deconstructs the “ivory tower syndrome” that is often present in academia and encapsulates IAN's work on scientific application and community engagement.

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Conservation efforts have become highlighted with the incoming changes of ecological issues such as climate change. The emphasis on conservation efforts are mainly directed at governmental bodies that are able to enact legislative change. However, this focus minimizes a very powerful force that is derived from the general public. Governmental bodies take precedence largely due to their dominant positions of societal power and financial resources to enact change.

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When disaster strikes—whether it’s a natural hazard like a flood, wildfire, or pandemic, or a man-made crisis like an industrial accident—communities are forced to respond, react, and adapt. However, not all communities are equally equipped to handle these challenges.

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Climate change impacts are more prevalent than ever, with one major indicator being sea level rise. Driven by the increase in Earth’s average temperatures, sea surface temperatures rise as well. As water absorbs heat, or gets warmer, water expands. With nowhere to go but up, sea levels rise, significantly affecting our coastal regions.

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Once upon a time, we thought the production of plastics was a new technique to make life easier. Centuries later, it has become a menace not only to human health, but also to animals, the environment and planet earth. Now, imagine a world without plastics!

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Harmful Algal Blooms are a problem afflicting many waterways in the United States. This blog details what you should know about this phenomenon.

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So many resources are used to sustain our daily lives. We pay the price of that every time we go into the water or eat anything from the water. Everyone does.

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Climate change increases extreme heat events, and cities are feeling the burn. Learn how hot the urban areas are than their surroundings, the serious threats they pose to public health, and what smart urban planning strategies can cool these cities.

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When you’re taking a walk outside to get fresh air and breathe in the great outdoors do you know what else you’re breathing in?

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