The Pew Charitable Trust: 28 separate billion-dollar disasters in 2023: How can conservation help?

 

States of Nature U.S. Conservation & Communities

Did you know that in 2023, the U.S. experienced a record-breaking 28 separate billion-dollar disasters? As summer gets started, so does the annual spike in extreme weather events—including drought, wildfires, and hurricanes. With these threats becoming more severe each year, it's time to ask: How can conservation help boost climate resilience and make communities safer? The Rising Tide of Extreme Weather Events Severe weather is becoming more frequent and intense, challenging communities across the nation. Let's take a closer look at the threats: Where it rains, it floods: Since 2000, the U.S. has averaged nearly 300 days of flooding each year—and not just along our coasts. Flooding was reported almost as often inland as it was along the coasts during hurricane seasons over the past two decades. Wildfires are becoming more intense than ever. Between two time periods, from 1983 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2021, the average annual acreage burned increased by 68%. Droughts brought about one of the most expensive weather events in 2023: The southern and midwestern drought and heat wave cost nearly $14.5 billion. Over the past two decades, we've seen a significant rise in the number and intensity of hurricanes. In fact, eight of the 10 most active hurricane seasons since 1950 have occurred since the mid-1990s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Why Climate Resilience Matters for Conservation Policymakers throughout the country are recognizing that it's vital to confront the significant and growing financial costs and effects on people, businesses, and infrastructure. Along the way, they're learning that turning the tide requires planning and collaboration. Preparing for extreme weather before it occurs is essential for protecting people and nature alike. Resilience Planning Helps Communities Building resilience helps keep communities safe—and some officials and legislators are already making progress. Just 20 years ago, not a single state had a dedicated resilience office, chief resilience officer, or other coordinating body to lead state resilience efforts. Now, 12 have established a lead agency, 11 have designated officers, and several more have coordinating bodies or officials responsible for planning. 50-state map: See your state's resilience data Bolstering Nature Boosts Resilience Scientists have long valued healthy, intact freshwater systems for their ability to absorb floodwaters and store carbon—lessening the impacts of extreme weather in both the short- and long-term. Wetlands, in particular, are a major powerhouse. Aside from reducing floodwaters, they can: Buffer coasts against storm surges. Store water to fight droughts. Act as fire barriers to prevent wildfires. The U.S. lost 640,000 acres of wetlands between 1996 and 2016, and states can face challenges in fully protecting them. When nature is healthy, so is its ability to lessen climate threats. Recent progress: A proposed plan for the Lolo National Forest—spanning some 2 million acres in western Montana—would protect vital habitat and boost ecosystem resilience.   New California carbon pollution reduction targets and a proposed climate-resilience bond would help fund new commitments to protect the state's eelgrass meadows and wetlands.   New science is helping officials make the case for protecting wetlands and other habitats as a way to boost climate resilience in Wisconsin, Georgia, Oregon, and many other states.   Wildlife crossings are helping animals adapt to short-term events, like fire and drought, or long-term, climate-driven shifts in their habitats. June Highlight: It's National Rivers Month! National Rivers Month is an opportunity to celebrate one of the nation's most vital resources. In fact, this month, Colorado's Water Quality Control Commission voted unanimously to protect 385 miles of rivers as Outstanding Waters. The move safeguards their exceptional water quality and ensures their protection for future generations. Learn more about the benefits our rivers provide, from important habitat for aquatic species to clean drinking water for people. 🦦 Quiz: What Type of River Species Are You? Are you most like a damselfly, salmon, Oregon spotted frog, river otter, hellbender, or Gila trout? These are just some of the thousands of species critical to healthy North American rivers. Take our quiz to find out which one you identify with most. ON TO THE QUESTIONS STORIES WE'RE WATCHING Tribal Nations Announce First Ocean and Coastal Protections in U.S. THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS "Our Tribes have a responsibility to steward, protect, and restore the ocean and coastal resources within our ancestral territories." —Jeri Lynn Thompson, chairperson of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Salt Marsh Initiative Aims to Protect South Carolina Lowcountry From Storm Surges PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE "Because [salt marshes] can absorb some of that excess water that's coming up into our infrastructure, they can hold in and kind of contain that water, and that's a really important impact to our communities, and way of life as well." —Brita Jessen, interdisciplinary research and partnerships lead for the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Opinion: Gila River System Should Receive Wild and Scenic Designation ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL "As a veteran, I go there for a form of therapy, just as many veterans turn to our waters to reflect and heal from what they experienced during deployment." —Brett Myrick, Gila resident Washington Farmers Brace for Summer Drought on Heels of Harvest Shortfalls CASCADE PBS "Growers have been seeing a lot of these kinds of weather events that's causing financial challenges for them." —Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association An Oregon Town Is Buying Surrounding Forests to Confront Wildfires COLUMBIA INSIGHT "There are thousands of communities across the West who need similar efforts." —Owen Wozniak, program manager, Land Trust Alliance

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