Advocates of the Brunswick County town’s proposal to strengthen and expand flood zone building rules say officials must ensure they are not putting property owners, emergency personnel in danger.
climate change
State awards nearly $6 million in coastal resiliency grants
The state Division of Coastal Management’s award of nearly $6 million aims to help local coastal governments plan, design and build projects that will help them be better prepared for increasingly extreme weather events.
Global wetlands loss strips trillions in economic benefits
An intergovernmental report concludes that if the world’s wetlands continue to vanish and deteriorate it may equate to tens of trillions in economic loss.
Plan would address threatened eastern black rails’ habitat loss
A public comment period is open on a proposed management plan that seeks to rebuild the once-abundant birds’ numbers by permanently protecting coastal marshes and helping private landowners create habitat.
Ocean water is changing colors, getting warmer: Study
Duke researchers used more than two decades’ worth of satellite data collected by a NASA instrument that scans the globe every two days to analyze the changing colors of the open ocean, which could have an effect on fisheries.
Shorebirds among species in steepest decline in latest count
Audubon’s 2025 State of the Birds Report shows East Coast species such as least terns, American oystercatchers and piping plovers are diminished in numbers with shorebirds most heavily represented among those at a perilous tipping point.
Interactive webinar to center on flood readiness, recovery
The 60-minute webinar June 11 will feature a panel discussion on real-world lessons, unexpected challenges, and best practices for fast, effective implementation to prepare for and recover from flooding.
Bulkhead alternatives could reimagine a changing coast
Duke University undergraduate Ava Kocher in this guest commentary explores the value of using living shorelines to protect wetlands and property.
Forecasters predict 13 to 19 named storms for 2025 season
National Weather Service forecasters are predicting the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30, to have above-normal activity.
Ocracoke Village’s Earth Day Weekend Celebration ahead
Ocracoke’s family friendly Earth Day Weekend Celebration is set for April 11 to 13 on the island.
CAMA county governments may apply for resiliency funding
Local governments within the state’s 20 coastal counties and contractors may apply for the next round of funding for resiliency projects.
DEQ adds meetings on greenhouse gas reduction efforts
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is hosting a series of public meetings to discuss efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
State Energy Office seeks feedback on lowering emissions
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office will be taking suggestions in a series of public meetings to discuss how the state can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptation planning class set for April at NOAA Beaufort lab
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration staff have scheduled the daylong “Adaptation Planning for Coastal Communities” for April 2.
Researchers to develop heat policy, risk interactive map
Duke’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub has been awarded $500,000 to design a web-based tool that is to help inform heat policies, assess heat risks in rural and coastal communities, and facilitate collaboration.
A shared resolution: Embrace nature-based solutions
Guest commentary: As we welcome 2025, let’s make this the year we reimagine our relationship with North Carolina’s coast by leveraging natural processes and resources to enhance biodiversity, protect habitats and promote resilient communities.
