August 2020 - Taking Action Against Climate Change
Climate change is driving major changes throughout Delaware such as increased flooding, warmer temperatures, and more frequent droughts. These changes are very likely to have significant impacts on Delaware's infrastructure, coastal economy, and natural ecosystems.
There are six major ways in which climate change will impact our state:
Climate change is expected to increase the intensity, frequency, size, and rainfall of coastal storms, including hurricanes.
Rising sea levels have already contributed to flooding at the Delaware coast, and the floods could get worse as the ocean continues to rise and coastal storms intensify.
Climate change is likely to affect winter storms in Delaware through precipitation becoming more episodic (more snow and rain will fall in shorter, more extreme storms, making the overall effects of the storms worse) and increasing winter temperatures.
Climate change is expected to increase the number and intensity of extreme heat events in Delaware.
More irregular precipitation and hotter temperatures as a result of climate change will combine to cause more frequent and more intense summertime droughts.
Flooding, extreme heat, and droughts will combine to reshape the ecological landscape of Delaware.
In tackling a challenge of this scale, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is taking action across state agencies to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The Division of Climate, Coastal & Energy held three public sessions in March of 2020 seeking input on developing the state’s climate action plan, providing an opportunity for Delawareans to learn more about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better prepare the state for climate impacts. The next phase will take place in Fall 2020 and include additional public workshops.
To learn more about Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, check out the newest episode of SeaTalk, or visit declimateplan.org.
Notable Dates in August
August 4 — Curious about the birds outside your window or in your backyard? Join renowned illustrator and ornithologist David Allen Sibley and bestselling author Jennifer Ackerman for a live, interactive presentation on birds—big and small, familiar and not—and discover how their lives intersect with our own. Register for A Conversation Between David Sibley and Jennifer Ackerman at the official event page.
August 5 — National Oyster Day is dedicated to celebrating these popular bivalve mollusks, of which there are over 200 species across the world. Learn more about how DESG is supporting oyster aquaculture in Delaware, and check out our Seafood Health Facts resource page.
August 26 — The Sierra Club Delaware Chapter and Susan Love, DNREC Administrator for Climate and Sustainability Programming, will be hosting a livestream event discussing the Delaware Climate Action Plan. Register for the event here.
August 29 — The 4th annual Paddlefest is a go! Paddlefest 2020 is a 4.25-mile kayaking adventure through the salt marsh creeks of Delaware Seashore State Park, with Park staff stationed along the way to talk about points of interest. Visit the official site to learn more and register