First-ever Coastal Adaptation Report Card published

The first-ever Maryland Coastal Adaptation Report Card was released on January 21, 2022. The online webinar was attended by nearly 200 people from across the state of Maryland, including Senator Ben Cardin. Maryland received an overall score of B- in coastal adaptation, indicating that we are well-prepared for ongoing and oncoming climate-related coastal changes, but that more work is needed. The report card features 15 indicators sorted into four categories. Some indicators measured already meet, or are close to meeting, current adaptation goals, while others require significant investment to achieve adaptation goals.

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National Adaptation Forum in Baltimore

The National Adaptation Forum was in Baltimore this year, so it was an ideal opportunity for Katie May Laumann and Annie Carew to present on the Maryland Coastal Adaptation Report Card. There were many excellent presentations and stimulating discussions on the future of coastal adaptaion and management in the face of climate change. Many attendees and speakers recognize the importance of equity in climate adaptation: those communities that are first and worst affected are predominantly those that are least prepared to handle the oncoming changes because of historic and systemic inequities.

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