World Oceans Day is a time to consider the threatened underwater meadows that are home to important marine species and the foundation of the coastal economy, writes Ryan Speckman, co-owner and co-founder of Locals Seafood in Raleigh.
Guest Columns
AECs: A way for people to promote responsible development
North Carolina has a process the public can use to nominate an Area of Environmental Concern and protect the natural and cultural treasures in coastal areas that belong to everyone.
Coastal Enhanced Weathering: A promising climate solution
UNCW professor Larry Cahoon writes that a nature-based climate restoration solution that his lab is collaborating on may eventually be able to capture a billion tons or more of carbon dioxide each year while reducing ocean acidity and helping to protect coastlines.
Buying out threatened oceanfront homes is not a crazy idea
Dr. Rob Young, director of the Western Carolina University/Duke University Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, compares the costs of a possible buyout of 80 highly exposed properties in Rodanthe to the costs of beach nourishment, which could be triple that amount over 15 years.
‘A strange and beautiful place’: My portable paradise
The paddle from downtown Beaufort to the Rachel Carson Reserve offers “tranquility like no other” for guest columnist and N.C. Coastal Reserve Communications Specialist Jillian Daly.
Cape Fear River Ghost Trees: What stories could they speak?
Guest commentary: The Cape Fear River and its historically important and scarce resources are rapidly being lost or adversely altered forever.
Surrendering to sweet black water: Exploring the Roanoke
UNC student Molly Herring shares her experiences and observations from a university trip up the North Carolina portion of the Roanoke River.
NC’s watery world a mostly unwritten chapter of history
Marine geologist Dr. Stan Riggs, who recently received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor, writes that society must adopt a more humble approach to live with changing coastal dynamics.
Bipartisan bill would protect birds, beach communitiesÂ
The Shoreline Health Oversight, Restoration, Resilience, and Enhancement Act would preserve coastal habitat while providing affordable, alternative sand sources used for beach nourishment projects, writes guest columnist Andrew Hutson of Audubon North Carolina
NC holds tools for clean economy with resulting benefits
The Environmental Defense Fund’s Michelle Allen writes that solutions are available for the transportation and power sectors to help North Carolina meet its climate goals, bolster the economy and reduce air pollution. Â
On current trajectory, NC won’t meet climate goals
Second in a commentary series by Michelle Allen of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund: The state, despite its leadership on climate policy, is on track to fall short of power sector carbon-reduction targets.
Order sets vital climate, equity goals; how will NC respond?
Guest columnist Michelle Allen with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund writes that Gov. Roy Cooper’s Jan. 7 executive order sends an important signal on addressing climate change and creating a more equitable future, but swift action is needed.
Down East shares grief, strength after tragedy
The world stopped for Down East communities Sunday when a private plane with eight passengers, six from Carteret County, went down after a duck hunting trip in Hyde County.
Oyster awareness: Shellfish benefit environment, economy
Guest commentary: North Carolina’s collaborative shellfish strategy includes public education efforts showcasing how oysters can be a catalyst for a resilient future, where people and ecosystems thrive.
Toxic exposure issue at military bases warrants action now
Jonathan Sharp, CFO with Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., writes that more needs to be done to address the health effects military veterans and their families have suffered as a result of exposure to toxic compounds during their service and time on installations such as Camp Lejeune.
Simple messages: North Carolina Coastal Federation at 40
Guest columnist John Runkle, one of the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s founding board members, writes that the nearly 40-year-old nonprofit’s mission has been guided by clear messaging, namely, “No wetlands, no seafood.”
