Policy
Our Themes
Coastal ecosystems provide natural shoreline protection and support coastal economies, all while absorbing tons of carbon and nurturing biodiversity. However, these vital habitats are increasingly threatened by climate change and human activity.
Coastal Ecosystems
Offshore renewable energy will be critical to helping the US meet its climate goals, providing coastal cities with an opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more just energy future.
Offshore Renewable Energy
Community resilience is essential for effective disaster response and recovery, and can improve social equity, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.
Community Resilience
Infrastructure across the US has fallen into disrepair and become vulnerable to breakdowns after years of disinvestment. With municipal, state, and federal funding, coastal cities can properly site, design, and build more climate-resilient.
Infrastructure
Climate-driven relocation is an adaptation strategy involving the intentional movement of people, homes, and infrastructure away from climate-vulnerable locations and into places that are further inland or at higher elevations.
Climate-Driven Relocation
Our Publications
Climate Readiness Framework for
Coastal Cities
As climate impacts intensify, so do risks to the 65 million people living in coastal cities—but there are solutions. We developed a framework with over 70 recommendations that enable coastal cities better adapt to and manage climate risks; create good, green jobs and a trained workforce; and build healthier and more equitable communities.
Ocean Justice Platform
Urban Ocean Lab partnered with Azul, Taproot Earth, and Center for American Progress to establish the Ocean Justice Forum. We released a consensus Ocean Justice Platform laying out principles and priorities for placing justice at the heart of federal ocean policy. This work led to the White House creating the first-ever Ocean Justice Strategy.
Are you a climate leader or community organization working on coastal issues? Have a project, challenge, or big idea? Partner with us.