Coastal US Climate Changes Impact Human Health

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and US Geological Sur vey (USGS) warn that the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of US coastal communities’ social, economic and natural systems. “Coastal Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities: a technical input to the 2013 National Climate Assessment” emphasizes the need for increased coordination and planning to ensure U.S. coastal communities are resilient against the effects of climate change.  A key finding in the report is that all US coasts are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as sea-level rise, erosion, storms and flooding, especially in the more populated low-lying parts of the US coast along the Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, northern Alaska, Hawaii, and island territories. The study authors also emphasize that storm surge flooding and sea-level rise pose significant threats to public and private infrastructure that provides energy, sewage treatment, clean water and transportation of people and goods. These factors increase threats to public health, safety, and employment in the coastal zone.