A new coast : strategies for responding to devastating storms and rising seas / Jeffrey Peterson.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

Preface -- Introduction -- Part I: A Warming Climate Drives Coastal Storms and Rising Seas -- Coastal Storms, Coastal Nightmare -- Sea Level Rise Projections: Trending Upward -- Measuring the Shifting Coast -- Part II: Storms and Rising Seas Disrupt the American Coast -- Scale and Economic Cost of the Coming Inundation -- Coastal Storm and Sea Level Rise Risks to Critical Infrastructure -- Coastal Ecosystems Facing Inundation: Wetlands and Beaches -- Private Sector Losses as Seas Rise: Tourism, Fishing, and Energy -- Part III: A Nation Unprepared for Coastal Storms and Rising Seas -- The Politics of Coastal Storms and Rising Seas -- National Flood Insurance Program: Coastal Misdirection -- Coastal Disaster Planning: Preparing for the Wrong Hazard -- Coastal Management Problems: Overcommitted and Underfunded -- National Planning for Climate Change: An Answer to Coastal Inundation?- Part IV: States, Communities, and Businesses Cope with Coastal Storms and Rising Seas -- Novel Challenges of Storms and Rising Seas -- State and Community Choices in Preparing for a Changing Coast -- Relocation: Often the Inevitable Choice -- Social and Psychological Dimensions of Storms and Rising Seas -- Business Community Response to Storms and Rising Seas -- Part V: Campaign for a New Coast -- Framework for a National Storm and Sea Level Rise Program -- Funding Coastal Storm and Sea Level Rise Preparedness -- Campaign for a New Coast -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- Appendices -- Endnotes.

"This is a timely book ... [It] should be mandatory reading for all persons seeking election to high public office. Followed by a test, with posted grades." Minnesota Star Tribune "A New Coast is a compelling assessment of the dramatic changes that are coming to America's coast. Peterson offers insights and strategies for policymakers, planners, and business leaders preparing for the intensifying impacts of climate change along the coast." Midwest Book Review "Communities along the American coast face hard choices on how to deal with storms and rising seas. A New Coast will help them manage these risks as well as guide the federal government in supporting this important effort. George J. Mitchell, former U.S. Senator from Maine and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader "Risks to our coasts from storms and rising seas have been known for decades, but efforts to prepare for these threats have been limited. A New Coast offers a timely and thoughtful framework for governments, businesses, and organizations to work together to meet these challenges. Peterson tackles the difficult challenge of linking science and experience from devastating storms with forward-thinking public policy and exhorts us to choose leadership over crisis management. William D. Ruckelshaus, former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency "This unbelievably comprehensive and well-researched book covers everything from the drivers of sea level rise and the range of its impacts to existing programs and solutions--and concludes with arguments for a new national program to prepare for more severe storms and rising seas. This book is a must-read for coastal management planning and for action at multiple scales. Kathy Jacobs, University of Arizona; Director, Third National Climate Assessment "A New Coast is timely and a very important look at the policy challenges posed by ever-rising sea level in addition to increased flooding from extreme weather events. It is thorough, well researched, up-to-date, and thought provoking. Jeff Peterson is very familiar with U.S. policy on the topic and qualified to propose big change, which he does, unflinchingly. John Englander, oceanographer and author of High Tide on Main Street "Enlightening. Traditional interpretations of 'coastal flooding' are being superseded quickly by the realities of storms and sea level rise. Peterson offers an incredibly thoughtful blueprint for federal leadership to manage these unprecedented changes to our nations coastline. His remedies are daunting, yet practical and hopeful. One can only hope that future presidents, governors, mayors, and business leaders will heed his call to action. The economic, ecological, and cultural health of our coastal communities is at stake. J. Charles Fox, former Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "This important and comprehensive book is a must-read for coastal policymakers who are grappling with impacts from rising seas and more intense storms. It captures not only the challenges communities are facing due to climate change, but also useful examples and policy recommendations for advancing adaptation efforts at all levels of government. Jessica Grannis, Adaptation Program Director, Georgetown Climate Center

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