Tag: climate resilience

Study finds flooding could impact 27,000 Long Island businesses | Long Island Business News
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THE BLUEPRINT:
- New study finds 27,000 Long Island businesses face flood risk.
- Nearly 7,000 firms in high or extreme risk zones employ 58,000 people.
- Businesses in extreme, high or moderate risk zones total over $42 billion in sales.
- LIRPC urges action to reduce economic losses from severe flooding.
Severe flooding could threaten the economic stability of more than 27,000 Long Island businesses, which fall into moderate to extreme risk categories, according to a new analysis.

Commissioned by the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC), the study was updated to include business communities along the North Shore and inland waterways such as the Nissequogue River.

The study, which ranked businesses from negligible to extreme risk, found nearly 7,000 companies employing more than 58,000 people in the high or extreme risk categories, representing more than $11 billion in annual sales.

Conducted by LIRO GIS, the study also pinpoints the communities in each county likely to be hardest hit.

“As we have seen several times in just the last 18 months alone, the devastation from severe flooding brought about by heavy rainfall presents the potential for severe economic loss along our coastal communities,” John Cameron, LIRPC chair, said in a news release about the study.

“This important study provides a tool for all levels of government and the private sector to develop strategies to minimize the risk,” Cameron added.

In Nassau County, a total of 17,395 businesses were at risk. These businesses total nearly $27.5 billion in annual sales and employ 131,522 people, according to the study. Freeport, Valley Stream, Oceanside, Wantagh, Lynbrook, Inwood, Long Beach, Bellmore, Merrick and Cedarhurst were identified as the 10 communities, based on annual sales volume, that would be most impacted.

In Suffolk County, a total of 9,843 businesses were at risk. These businesses total more than $15.1 billion in sales, and employ 74,800 people, according to the study. Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, Oakdale, Babylon, West Islip, Port Jefferson, Halesite, West Babylon, Islip and East Quogue were identified as the 10 communities were identified as the 10 communities that would be most affected.

The study, which includes an interactive map to break out the impact on individual communities, is available here.
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Adina Genn

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October 24, 2025
How Ghana and Ethiopia Are Boosting Their Forests

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A delegate stands in front of a backdrop for the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) during the opening of the High-Level Leaders Summit in Addis Ababa, on Sept. 8, 2025. Credit – Luis Tato—Getty Images

In the face of Africa’s rapid deforestation in past decades, many countries in the continent are now starting to see progress in combating forest loss—and making inroads in reforestation efforts.

Leaders from Ethiopia, Ghana, Norway, and Denmark spoke of the effectiveness of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative and other African-led deforestation solutions, highlighting the importance of improving global support for these initiatives, during a panel moderated by TIME’s chief climate officer Shyla Raghav. The conversation took place on Sept. 9 during Africa’s Second Climate Summit, hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Green Legacy Initiative was launched in 2019 by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to tackle climate challenges, reverse land degradation, restore ecosystems, and build climate resilience. Since launching the initiative, the country has seen a sharp decline in deforestation—down from 92,000 hectares (over 227,000 acres) in 2013, to 27,000 hectares (around 66,700 acres) in 2023 and 2024—and planted over 48 billion seedlings to aid in reforestation efforts, according to Kebede Yimam, director-general of the Ethiopian Forestry Development Unit.

Linking emission reductions with the country’s development goals has enabled the country to make quick progress on multiple fronts, said Mensur Dessie, climate institutional development advisor at the Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development. Ethiopia launched a 10-year development plan in 2021 to guide the country towards climate resilient green development by 2030, integrating sustainable practices throughout sectors including agriculture, forestry, energy, transport, and water.

“We are now successfully launching these strategies that could really help Ethiopia to achieve its development aspirations that have been set for 2030 and 2050 as well as address…greenhouse gas emission reduction and building resilience across the sectors,” Dessie said.

What’s more, focusing on restoring natural resources has had a direct impact on the livelihoods of Ethiopians, said Motuma Tolera, deputy director-general of forestry development in the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture.

“We have communities which were engaged in [restoration], and they have already started to harvest the foods and then make livelihoods—even the export level of these foods is rising a lot,” he said.

Panelists also spoke of the importance of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), a voluntary U.N. framework that financially rewards developing countries for emission reductions from reduced deforestation. While REDD+ has faced controversy over the years, including claims that projects overestimate their claimed carbon cuts, speakers said the program has helped with local reforestation efforts.

Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, director of the Forestry Commission Training Centre in Ghana, shared some of the country’s experiences implementing REDD+. As of 2024, the country has received and dispersed over $20 million in funds from the World Bank for combatting deforestation. Adjei stressed the importance of involving stakeholders like local leaders, private sector, and various government branches.

“Implementing REDD+ on the ground needs governance arrangements where you know who does what,” she said. “Local communities have their own farms. What must they do on their farms? What must the private sector do to support local communities? What must civil society do to support that process as well?”

A number of countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun to receive payments for REDD+ progress, highlighting the program’s efficacy and momentum, said Ellen Bruzelius Backer, deputy director of the Norwegian International Climate and Forestry Initiative. Norway is one of the donors behind the LEAF-Coalition, which seeks to purchase verified emission reduction and removal credits and has agreed to purchase future credits from Ethiopia. “Traction comes after a lot of hard work in a lot of countries,” she said.

But there is still more work to be done. Africa has the highest rate of deforestation in the world. About 3.9 million hectares (9.6 million acres) of African forest—roughly the size of about 381 million soccer fields—was destroyed every year between 2010 and 2020. “We believe [nature-based solutions] offer a sustainable way forward for Africa,” said Sune Krogstrup, Denmark’s ambassador to Ethiopia, one of the investors in Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. “But it’s also clear that more investments and political commitments are needed from all stakeholders to advance this agenda.”

Coverage of the Second Africa Climate Summit is presented by the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance.

Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com.

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September 10, 2025
State doles out $28M to preserve open space

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BOSTON — The state is distributing nearly $28 million to communities and regional organizations to upgrade parks and preserve open space as part of broader efforts to blunt the impact of climate change.

The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said it has awarded $27.8 million for park improvements and open space acquisition through several grant programs to help 54 communities and trusts to protect land. The spending will help preserve nearly 2,400 acres of open space statewide, the agency said.

Gov. Maura Healey said the open space program’s projects will “boost public health, drive tourism, and strengthen our economy” and that the spending is part of a large effort “creating sustainable communities and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.”

“Investing in parks and open space is critical for our state’s resilience against climate change, tackling issues like urban heat islands, flooding, sea level rise, and drought,” Healey said in a statement.

The funding includes $500,000 for Lawrence to cover upgrades to Campagnone Common, a 17.5-acre park in the city’s downtown that hosts festivals and other gatherings.

“By enhancing public spaces for recreation and community, we’re not only fostering a healthier, more vibrant Lawrence but also contributing to our city’s economic vitality as more people come to enjoy everything Lawrence has to offer,” state Sen. Pavel Payano, D-Lawrence, said in a statement.

Salem is receiving $500,000 from the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities program for renovations at Curtis Memorial Park that will upgrade structures and a playing field, the agency said.

The Essex County Greenbelt Association will receive $300,000 through the Conservation Partnership Grants program to preserve 84 acres of farmland, wildlife habitat and headwaters to the East Meadow River, a tributary to the Merrimack River and a major source of drinking water for Haverhill, the agency said.

A 1972 amendment to the state constitution, approved by 82% of voters, gave the state Legislature the authority to order the purchase of land – by eminent domain or otherwise – for conservation, recreation or open space. It set a two-thirds vote requirement for lawmakers to approve or make changes to protections.

A 2022 amendment to the law declares that land preservation is considered a “public purpose” by the state government and that “people have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic qualities of their environment.”

The law includes a provision that allows for a cash payment in lieu of replacement land, which must be at 110% of the property’s value.

Within three years of the transaction, the money must be deposited into a fund dedicated to the purchase of Article 97 land that is of “equal natural resource value and acreage.”

The Resilient Lands Initiative, a coalition of state agencies, nonprofit environmental groups and land trusts, wants to speed up land conservation in Massachusetts with a focus on climate resilience and environmental justice. The group has set a goal of conserving 30% of land statewide by 2030 and 40% by 2050.

Conservationists have faced a backlash from some local leaders who have raised concerns about the drain on their budgets when large tracts are taken off the tax rolls and made off limits to commercial development or housing projects that provide tax revenue.

The scramble for undeveloped land has also pitted advocates of open space against those of affordable housing, who argue that the need for low-income housing in many communities often takes a back seat to creating new parks, protecting forests and preserving wildlife habitat.

Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.

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By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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September 28, 2024
Climate Resilience for All: As Climate Week NYC Unfolds, It’s Time to Face the Devastating Impact of Extreme Heat on Women

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While Climate Discussions Focus on Decarbonization and Energy Transition — Both Incredibly Urgent to Address, Millions of Low-Income Women Remain Exposed to Rising Temperatures

NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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According to NOAA, August was Earth’s hottest month in 175 years, marking the 15th consecutive month of record-breaking global heat. Plus, Summer 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere is officially the hottest on record — a harsh warning of the climate crisis already expanding.

Extreme heat is a silent, invisible killer, responsible for more deaths than any other climate-driven hazard. A deeper understanding of its uneven effects reveals that women are disproportionately and significantly harmed by heat.

Women are nearly four times more heat intolerant than men and 14 times more likely to die in climate disasters. Many work outdoors in agriculture, street vending, waste recycling, and domestic labor without access to shade or cooling. This issue affects women globally — those in southern Europe die from extreme heat at twice the rate of men, and worldwide, 60% more women than men lack adequate cooling, heightening their risk for heat-related illnesses.

The heat amplifies pre-existing inequalities. Female-headed households lose 8% more income to heat and women in agriculture, who make up the backbone of food production, produce up to 30% more food when given equal resources. Yet, 80% of agricultural policies ignore women’s climate challenges, according to FAO. These are just examples of how the effects of heat are felt across the work force and supply chains, affecting not only women in vulnerable regions but economies everywhere.

Global institutions are beginning to step up. UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a global “Call to Action” on extreme heat in August 2024, calling on nations, philanthropy, and the private sector to act.

A path forward exists. “Extreme heat is at the beginning, middle, and end of every recent climate story, and it’s time to address it at the pace and scale required. Women not only endure heat’s wrath, but as the backbone of communities and proven risk managers and problem solvers can also drive long-term change and deliver impact,” said Rachel Kyte, Board Chair of Climate Resilience For All, a global NGO working to protect the health and livelihoods of women and vulnerable communities from the impacts of extreme heat.

“We’ve implemented initiatives like the Women’s Climate Shock Insurance and Livelihoods Initiative in India that provides financial protection and women-centered early warning that save lives and enhance climate resilience,” said Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO of Climate Resilience for All. “Our call during this Climate Week is to focus on more tangible and immediate actions, policies, and financing for heat resilience. As the planet warms, the future of women is inseparable from the future of our world. We must act now before the heat becomes unbearable for all of us. Every life can be saved from extreme heat.”

Visit https://www.climateresilience.org.

Source: Climate Resilience For All

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September 24, 2024
Ecological study to focus on stream crossings

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Two North Shore road stream crossings, including one in West Newbury, have been selected by the state Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration for future ecological restoration studies.

The culvert replacement sites – one on River Road in West Newbury and the other on Concord Street in Gloucester – were selected due to their vulnerability to coastal erosion, flooding and future sea-level rise, agency said.

Although the culverts are crossing freshwater streams, the division says they are expected to become tidal as sea levels rise, a transition presenting significant challenges for road infrastructure, DER officials said.

The Division of Ecological Restoration announced it is funding and managing future studies at the sites to help the communities, nearby landowners and partners overcome technical challenges and plan for ecological restoration and climate adaptation.

“Ecological restoration provides innumerable benefits,” Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea said in a prepared statement. “Projects like this will improve public safety, build resilience to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and mitigate flooding, and restore water quality and wildlife habitat.

“By supporting municipalities and partners, we can scale our efforts to steward a biodiverse and climate ready future.”

“DER looks forward to helping these two communities evaluate and plan for sea-level rise while building resilient, fish-friendly road stream crossings,” Division of Ecological Restoration Director Beth Lambert said in a prepared statement. “Culvert upgrades and other nature-based solutions can be technically challenging and costly for our municipalities to pursue alone. State-municipal partnerships like this are key to successful implementation of ecological restoration and climate adaptation projects.”

In West Newbury, the River Road culvert is on an unnamed stream of the Merrimack River. The crossing faces challenges due to flooding and erosion, and has the potential to be heavily influenced by increased storms and sea level rise.

Conducting models of the way water moves at the culvert site and investigating potential ecological improvements through restoration would enable a systematic approach to improving infrastructure and natural resource resiliency, the state said.

In Gloucester, the Concord Street culvert is along a tributary of Walker Creek.

The DER indicated the culvert is affected by coastal storms and is at an increased risk for erosion and flooding. The replacement of the culvert with a structure of resilient design would address flood water retention and bank stabilization and sedimentation; improve fish passage and wildlife habitat; and increase climate resilience by preparing for sea level rise, storm surge, and coastal marsh mitigation.

A 2019 technical report called “Great Marsh Barrier Mitigation: A comprehensive program to mitigate aquatic barriers in the Great Marsh Area of Critical Environmental Concern region” by the Ipswich River Watershed Association looked at the single culvert on Concord Street, among many other “priority barriers” in the region.

“The site has been identified as a site that has experienced flooding and ranked as having poor aquatic organism passage in the (North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaboration) Tidal Crossing Assessment,” the report said. It singled out the culvert as having “no passage due to rock piles/undersized structures.”

Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.

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By Ethan Forman | Staff Writer

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May 21, 2024