4.1: Coastal Communities
Resilient coastal communities that can adapt to the impacts of hazards and climate change Other Information:
Coastal communities contain over one half of the U.S. population, generate nearly 60 percent of U.S. economic output, and
account for hundreds of millions of dollars in flood loss claims. Their vulnerability to coastal hazards increases with growing
populations, declining coastal ecosystems, and changing climate conditions. The Nation's coastal communities need to improve
their capacity for resilience in order to absorb impacts while maintaining an acceptable level of functioning, need to reduce
the amount of time and resources required to return to full-functioning, and to adapt to future risks by learning from past
disasters and adopting risk-reduction measures. Reducing vulnerabilities depends on healthy coastal economies proactively
adapting to climate impacts, land use, conservation, hazard response, and recovery planning; maintaining sustainable and ecologically
sound uses, such as commercial and recreational fisheries and seafood production efforts; mitigating chronic stressors; and
on infrastructure decisions made at the Federal, regional, State, and local levels. Coastal decision makers require current
science-based information, accurate tools and technology, and the skills to apply them to effectively reduce the vulnerabilities
of their communities. To achieve this objective, NOAA will develop and provide coastal decision makers with updated decision-support
tools, technical assistance, training, and management strategies related to adaptation, risk communication, hazard response
and recovery, and resource conservation. Spatially relevant and integrated data, including social and economic data, will
be delivered to support risk analyses, mapping, scenario analyses, adaptation planning, and implementation. State-of-the-coast
analyses and trend information on ecosystem status and valuation, along with community risk and vulnerability assessment methods
and policy assistance, will be provided to support implementation of resilience adaptation strategies. Hydrodynamic models,
forecasts, and visualization tools based on an improved geospatial framework will improve understanding of the impacts of
coastal hazards and climate impacts on livelihoods and ecosystem services. NOAA will continue to work with partners to acquire,
protect, and restore habitat, biodiversity, and ecosystem services to support the resilience of both ecosystems and the built
environment. NOAA's strong, collaborative partnerships with those responsible for improving management of coastal communities
and ecosystems, and close coordination across NOAA—especially as relates to climate capabilities and capacities—will ensure
that the science and data needed to achieve this critical objective are generated. Over the next five years, evidence of progress
toward this objective will include: * An increase in the percentage of U.S. coastal States and territories demonstrating annual
improvements in resilience to coastal and climate hazards; * Appropriate science-based tools and information for assessing
hazard risk, vulnerability, and resilience that coastal decision makers and community leaders can understand and use; * Effective
community plans and strategies that improve community readiness to cope with natural and human-induced coastal hazards; and
* Healthy natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem services support local coastal economies and communities.
Indicator(s):
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