Spring 2023
The science is clear: “There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”
As climate risks increase globally, so do the threats to the 65 million people who live in U.S. coastal cities. Urgent action (and federal support) is needed. Recent legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Justice40 (J40) are creating unprecedented opportunities for climate action at the local level, and the first-ever Ocean Climate Action Plan sets the stage for coastal cities to help catalyze transformative ocean-climate action.
Coastal cities can lead the way, at a time of urgent need and unparalleled opportunity. To help meet the moment, this year, we’re developing a “Blue New Deal” ocean-climate policy framework for coastal cities, with model policies and best practices for:
Protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems
Prioritizing pre-disaster planning and adaptation
Strengthening social cohesion as a climate strategy
Adapting and building more climate resilient coastal infrastructure
Scaling offshore renewable energy
Supporting the blue economy and workforce
Increasing access to funding and innovative financing
This year, UOL will also work with policymakers, communities, and practitioners (scientists, designers, researchers, and more) to:
Develop and promote policies that support regenerative ocean farming.
Develop justice-centered policies for climate-driven relocation in U.S. coastal cities.
Explore policy that supports nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in coastal cities.
Research policy to support justly-sourced offshore wind.
UOL PROGRESS REPORT:
Advancing policy for regenerative ocean farming in the U.S.
Regenerative ocean farming has the potential to increase the domestic supply of seaweed and shellfish while protecting shorelines, improving water quality, mitigating ocean acidification locally, and increasing species biodiversity. That’s why, we developed a set of policy recommendations to responsibly grow the industry in the U.S.
We are encouraged to see the introduction of new legislation, like the Coastal Seaweed Farm Act, that is in line with our policy recommendations. Further action is needed, at all levels of government, to advance regenerative ocean farming in the U.S. We will continue to work with stakeholders across the industry to support needed policy change.
To learn more about regenerative ocean farming, check out our resources and recent webinar.
Reimagining coastal cities with a Blue New Deal
A ‘Blue New Deal’ offers ocean-climate solutions for coastal cities, but what might these policies look like in practice? We worked with students from Columbia University’s Urban Design and Climate and Society programs to explore how Blue New Deal policies might be implemented as urban design solutions. As part of the Resilient Coastlines Design Seminar (led by UOL advisor, Kate Orff), teams of students applied principles of planning and design to test Blue New Deal policies on the ground (and in the water) in a set of U.S. coastal cities and landscapes. View the final student projects here.
The first ever National Nature Assessment should include a focus on cities
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is conducting the first ever National Nature Assessment (NNA), which will take stock of our nation’s natural areas and the benefits they provide. In coastal cities, natural areas—such as wetlands—are an effective tool for mitigating the dual impacts of climate change and urbanization. To help coastal cities advance just and equitable nature-based solutions, we offered comments to the USGCRP recommending that the NNA center the principles of ocean justice and include a chapter on urban ecosystems and nature in cities. Read more on our recommendations here.
A massive coastal infrastructure project is being proposed in the NY/NJ harbor
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a $52 billion coastal infrastructure project—called NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Study (HATS)—to protect the region from storms and coastal flooding. It is the largest public infrastructure proposal in recent history and sets a precedent for climate resilient infrastructure projects in U.S. coastal cities. UOL joined the Rise to Resilience coalition to offer comments to the Army Corps. We recommend the project include greater environmental justice considerations, prioritize natural and nature-based features, and take a multi hazard approach. Read the full public comment letter here.
WHAT’S WORKING:
Community-based solutions for stormwater management
New Orleans receives over 60 inches of rainfall each year, more than twice the national average. This deluge of water can overwhelm the city’s aging infrastructure, and has led to chronic flooding across the city—disproportionately impacting low-income communities of color. To help address urban flooding, and improve health and safety in vulnerable neighborhoods, communities in New Orleans are turning to nature-based solutions for stormwater management.
Through a partnership with Water Wise Gulf South, community groups receive support to organize workshops and training programs on nature-based solutions, and funding to install and maintain green infrastructure projects—like cisterns, bioswales, rain gardens, and more—in their neighborhoods. As of 2021, over 150 community-led projects were designed and installed across the 7th Ward, Upper 9th Ward, and Tremė neighborhoods, effectively reducing flooding and storing an additional 50,000 gallons of stormwater. At scale, community-based green infrastructure projects in New Orleans have the potential to store up to 6.5 million gallons of water and provide ecosystem services—such as water filtration—valued at more than $17 million.
As U.S. coastal cities grapple with the impacts of climate change, it is increasingly important to adopt policies that invest in community-designed, -owned, and -maintained green infrastructure, through programs like Water Wise Gulf South, as a foundation for lasting resilience. Learn more here and here.
WORTHWHILE READS:
Cities + Solutions (Grist)
US Coastal Communities Underestimate the Danger Posed by Rising Seas (Nature)
Nations Agree on “World-Changing” Deal to Protect Human Life (The Washington Post)
Every Coastal Home Is Now a Stick of Dynamite (The Atlantic)
Seaweed Is Having Its Moment in the Sun (The New York Times)
As Louisiana’s Coast Disappears, Its Historic Communities Are Disappearing Too (Grist)
Commentary: The Willow Project is a Carbon Bomb. Biden Just Lit the Match (Portland Press Herald)
TEAM BULLETIN:
Just Transitions at the Edge: Community-Led Coastal Adaptation
UOL Policy Advisor, Erica Asinas, will moderate a panel on April 7th as part of Pratt University’s Graduate Center for Planning and Environment Spring Lecture Series. Register here.
Nature-Based Coastal Resilience in Urban Settings conference
Lara Croushore, our Managing Director, will join the Stone Living Lab and the Trust for Governors Island Center for Climate Solutions for a panel conversation on how “innovation labs” accelerate climate action in coastal cities. Learn more about the event on April 27th, and register for the conference here.
Jean Flemma at Aspen Ideas: Climate 2023
UOL co-founder, Jean Flemma, moderated a panel discussion about regenerative ocean farming with Kate Orff (Founding Principal, SCAPE), Imani Black (Founder and CEO, Minorities in Aquaculture), Marina Anderson (Director, Sustainable Southeast Partnership), and Emily Stengel (Co-Executive Director, GreenWave).
Deem Symposium: Designing for Dignity
Deem (also co-founded by Marquise Stillwell) hosted their inaugural symposium, in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, which brought together designers, practitioners, and community members to explore how design can create more equitable and inclusive communities.
Black History Month: Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson & Tyler Prize Laureates
Ayana hosted a discussion in celebration of Black History Month with 2023 Tyler Prize Laureates, ecologist Dr. Daniel Pauly and economist Dr. Rashid Sumaila. Read an abridged version of the conversation here.
Water and Peace Innovation: Uniting Local and Global Efforts for Sustainable Development
During UN Water Week, Erica Asinas participated in a discussion on inclusive water governance with Emilie McGlone (Director, Peace Boat US), Chris Desai (Founder & CEO, UOCEAN 2050 and the Vayyu Foundation), Aleks Gosiewski (Co-Founder & COO, Keel Labs), and Kristy Drutman (Founder, Brown Girl Green and Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board).
Urban Ocean Lab cultivates rigorous, creative, equitable, and practical climate and ocean policy for the future of coastal cities. To support our work: spread the word by forwarding this newsletter and consider making a tax deductible donation.