Proposed amendments to the state’s official plan for protecting, restoring and conserving coastal habitats and fisheries drill in on newly specific priorities linked to water quality and climate change.
Special Reports
Something is causing more algal blooms in more places
Algal blooms have been recurring problems in the Chowan River Basin, but excess nutrients have triggered more and more, including those deemed harmful or toxic, but scientists aren’t sure exactly why.
Study finds combined threats to water quality after flooding
Results from a recent NC State study highlight the double whammy of microbial contamination of surface waters posed by failing human wastewater infrastructure and animal agriculture after storm inundations.
NC at a crossroads in dealing with water quality challenges
As North Carolina’s population continues to grow, algal blooms and other signs of human-caused nutrient pollution in rivers and estuaries stand to worsen.
Seeds of Resilience May Be In Forests, Farms
Support appears to be growing in North Carolina for using natural, restored and working lands to help offset carbon emissions and reduce flooding severity.
Coastal Resilience Goal of New State Program
The Resilient Coastal Communities Program is part of a statewide effort to help local governments address climate change-related risks.
Region Eyes Ecotourism as Key to Adaptation
There’s no easy answer when it comes to flooding in the Albemarle-Pamlico region, but there’s a move on to not only live with water, but also to capitalize on it.
NC Project Shows Opportunity in Resilience
Surrounded by water, nonprofits in NC’s “Inner Banks” region say bringing the environment to the people is key to community resilience.
Underserved, Underwater: Mapping a Future
Environmental justice communities are among the most at risk to the effects of climate change and while the state has made efforts to address these vulnerable populations, some say more must be done.
NC Charts New Course on Climate Change
With a shift in public perception and a statewide plan for climate resilience, efforts to shape policy and protect vulnerable communities still face challenges.
COVID-19 Curbs Roadside Litter Cleanups
COVID-19 precautions have prompted annual and seasonal roadside cleanups organized by state organizations and community volunteer groups to be canceled or postponed.
Turtle Trash Collectors Adapt to COVID-19
UNCW’s MarineQuest outreach program Turtle Trash Collectors has launched a citizen-science project to better understand how COVID-19 is affecting pollution and marine debris.
Recycling Industry Faces New Challenges
Waste and recycling organization representatives have seen a change in what and how residential customers are recycling since the stay-at-home order was put in place this March to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Cleanup Organizers Adjust During COVID-19
Since March, cleanup organizers, who have noticed an increase in COVID-19 related litter, have had to adjust to coronavirus precautions in order to continue to combat litter and debris.
Coastal Restaurants’ Plastic Usage Rebounds
In the first in a series about how COVID-19 has changed the waste stream, including plastics, Ocean Friendly Establishments coordinators continue to encourage using reusables safely when possible.
Stormwater Issues Worsen As Climate Warms
Flooding in North Carolina’s coastal communities has rapidly worsened in scale and frequency as a result of climate change, but stormwater management is a costly problem, even when there’s political will, funding and community support.
