DeepSummary
The episode discusses citizen science projects in Norfolk, Virginia aimed at understanding and addressing the city's flooding problems caused by sea level rise. One project, Catch the King, enlists volunteers to use a smartphone app to map the extent of flooding during king tides. Another project, Measure the Muck, collects water samples during floods to analyze the contaminants and nutrients present.
Scientists like Margie Mulholland are concerned about the potential health impacts of the floodwaters, which can contain high levels of fecal matter, oil products, and other contaminants. The data collected through these projects is helping researchers better understand the risks and plan for adaptation measures, such as raising homes or allowing marshes to migrate inland.
Despite these efforts, there are challenges in convincing residents to retreat from flood-prone areas, as well as questions about who should bear the costs of adaptation measures. The episode highlights the difficult decisions facing coastal cities as they grapple with the realities of climate change and rising seas.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Citizen science projects in Norfolk, Virginia are engaging volunteers to collect data on flooding and water quality to better understand the impacts of sea level rise.
- The floodwaters in Norfolk contain high levels of fecal matter, oil products, and other contaminants, posing potential health risks to residents.
- Adaptation measures being considered in Norfolk include raising homes, allowing marshes to migrate inland, and improving stormwater infrastructure.
- There are challenges in convincing residents, especially in wealthier areas, to retreat from flood-prone areas, as well as questions about who should bear the costs of adaptation measures.
- The data collected through citizen science projects is helping researchers and city planners make informed decisions about how to address the growing threat of sea level rise.
- Coastal cities like Norfolk are facing difficult decisions about how to balance the need for adaptation with economic considerations and the protection of valuable shoreline properties.
- There is a sense of urgency to take action to adapt to sea level rise, but also recognition that there is still time to plan and implement effective measures before the end of the century.
- The episode highlights the complex interplay of science, policy, and community engagement needed to address the challenges of climate change and rising seas in coastal areas.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If you're not counting a major load, how do you hope to achieve restoration targets?“ by Margie Mulholland
- “People should just know, don't go in the water, because there will be in it, literally.“ by Margie Mulholland
- “We've got to start thinking about how we get houses and people out of some of these areas and frankly, let them go back to wetlands.“ by Skip Stiles
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Episode Information
Broken Ground
Southern Environmental Law Center
8/27/20
In Norfolk, Virginia scientists battling sea level rise enlist residents to help collect data that could help the city better understand its rising tides and flooding problems.