Charleston Residents Prepare to Address Climate Change

News Summary

Charleston residents are invited to share their concerns about climate change at listening sessions on February 21 and 22, 2025. These sessions aim to gather input on how climate change, particularly rising sea levels and flooding, affects coastal communities. The discussions will focus on the needs of the Gullah Geechee communities and involve strategies for flood mitigation, supported by a $500,000 NOAA grant. Community participation is crucial to shaping effective resilience plans and ensuring local challenges are addressed.

Charleston Residents Gear Up to Share Climate Change Concerns!

Attention Charleston! Your voice matters, especially when it comes to the pressing issue of climate change. Residents are invited to express their thoughts and worries during some important listening sessions set for February 21 and February 22, 2025. These gatherings are not only a chance for locals to be heard but also part of a much larger conversation about how climate change is impacting our beloved coastal regions.

When and Where?

Mark your calendars for February 21, when the first session kicks off at 4:30 p.m. This meeting will take place at the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston. But if you miss that one, have no fear! An additional session is scheduled for February 22, starting at 9 a.m., during a special conference at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. Whether you are a homeowner, farmer, or just a concerned citizen, now’s the time to speak up!

What’s on the Agenda?

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. The main focus is to gather insights on how climate change is affecting folks in the coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. And let’s be honest, flooding has been a hot topic lately. In previous sessions held in Georgia and North Carolina, residents voiced many concerns about standing water and how storm events make roads impassable.

Rising Waters – A Local Concern

livelihood of farmers and wildlife refuge managers. Sustainability is more important than ever as they too have called for innovative solutions to deal with the ever-growing threat of flooding. A recent presentation showed that Charleston County could see some drastic changes in the coming years, with the expectation of average local sea levels rising by about one foot by 2050!

What is Being Done?

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help facilitate this listening tour. The aim here is to connect interested parties with possible flood mitigation strategies offered by various environmental organizations. Some of the proposals on the table include restoring oyster beds, enhancing marshland biodiversity, and adopting advanced vertical farming techniques.

Focusing on Gullah Geechee Communities

Gullah Geechee communities. Oftentimes, these communities are the first to feel the harsh impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise and hurricanes. With rising concerns that existing plans in each state don’t thoroughly cover their unique challenges, this listening tour is seen as a vital opportunity to fill that gap.

Looking Ahead

Your Participation is Key!

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Additional Resources

• Charleston City Paper: Climate Change Listening Session
• ABC News 4: Charleston’s Leaders and Climate Change
• Post and Courier: Moultrie News Events
• Greenville Online: Charleston’s Climate Change Suit
• Washington Post: Charleston Flooding Concerns
• Wikipedia: Climate Change
• Google Search: Charleston climate change
• Google Scholar: Charleston climate change
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Climate Change
• Google News: Charleston climate change

Author: HERE Charleston