The legislative debate over sea-level rise revealed a disturbing antipathy toward science among some legislator. Here’s one thing we can do.
Commentary
Sam’s Field Notes: American Oyster Catcher
Sam Bland and a ranger friend spy a rare sight on Bear Island: American Oyster Catcher hatchlings. Come, read about their encounters.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats? (and Eventually Houses)
A new scientific report by the U.S. Geological Survey that tells us that the East Coast of the U.S. from Cape Hatteras north is a “hotspot” for rising seas is stunning. It should instill a new sense of urgency in our state’s leadership to plan for significant changes in our coastline in coming years.
Now the Rest of the Story
Opponents of the state’s policy on sea-level rise are fond of quoting a study of tides to prove the seas won’t rise as high a scientists expect. But the author says that’s not his study’s intent.
Thick as a Hunk of Granite
That’s how dense the environmental study is that was done for the proposed groin at Figure Eight Island.
Not A Good Day for N.C.
A N.C. Senate committee turned its back on science and the state’s proud traditions and passed the now-infamous sea-level rise bill.
Leave the CRC Alone
The Coastal Resources Commission was intended to represent a broad cross-section of people. A new bill will diminish that intent.
Putting Your $$ Where the Beach Is
Emerald Isle should be applauded for looking for ways to pay for beach re-nourishment projects with its own money.
Sam’s Field Notes: The Timber Rattlesnake
Sam Bland loves snakes, but when he comes across one unexpectedly, his perfectly understandable reaction is to run… and then go back for a look and a few photos.
Invest in Polaroid?
Metaphorically speaking, that’s what the state legislature will be doing if it passes a foolish bill on sea-level rise.
The Sand Lobby
Local governments in coastal North Carolina paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2011 to lobby Congress for money for their shore protection projects.
5 Misconceptions About Sea-Level Rise
Six N.C. scientists rebut some of the critics’ main objections to the state’s draft planning policy on sea-level rise. The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission is expected to discuss that policy at its meeting in Beaufort today.
How About Getting Serious?
It’s high time for a realistic, sober assessment of the state of our environment.
Is This Road Really Needed?
Next time you’re stuck in traffic, you can turn your thoughts to the empty, $400 million superhighway that may soon be built through Tyrrell and Dare counties.
Liquid Assets or Simply Underwater
Remember when coastal real estate was a liquid asset and great investment? Though those days are gone, we could learn from our mistakes.
Sam’s Field Notes: Yellow-Rumped Warblers
When these winter visitors are gone, we know spring has arrived in coastal N.C.
