Chapter 21, Northeast

In the Northeast, extreme weather events and other climate-driven changes are shaping mitigation and adaptation efforts, such as coastal wetland restoration and changes in fishing behavior. Many climate impacts in the region have disproportionate impacts on low-income communities and communities of color. Cities and states are implementing climate action plans with innovative approaches that embrace inclusive and equitable processes.

- From NCA5 ch. 21

This page is in draft form and is currently being reviewed by project partners. For more information about the creation and review process, please see the landing page for the NCA5 Educator's Guide.

Jump to:

  1. Information on using this guide
  2. Educational resources and guiding questions for this region
  3. CLEAN curated pathways to action for the region
  4. NCA5 non-regional chapter connections

Key Messages for the Northeast:

National Climate Assessment Art X Climate selections

Artist's statement: Over the past decade, I have documented the first "managed retreat" from climate change and sea level rise in New York City, photographing and filming as three neighborhoods have been demolished and returned to nature. This body of work explores the sacrifices that are being made, as communities face the reality of increased flooding, erosion, and storm surges caused by climate change and sea level rise.


Artist's statement: Battling climate change will require a radically imaginative perspective on the world around us. What would it look like to create fully biophilic additions to buildings that already exist? How many jobs could be created through the planning and upkeep of a green city? How would gardens on every balcony and rooftop benefit people in food deserts? I used photos of common house plants tucked into an image of 30th Street and 5th Avenue in New York City for a fantastical view of a concrete jungle.


Educational resources and guiding questions aligned with the regional Key Messages:

Each Key Message features three guiding questions to help educators navigate these topics with students. Each guiding question includes example lessons and supporting videos. The lessons were taken from the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) educational resources database. The videos were selected from reputable sources to support the lessons.

Key Message One: Chronic Impacts of Extreme Weather Are Shaping Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts

The Northeast continues to be confronted with extreme weather, most notably extreme precipitation—which has caused problematic flooding across the region—and heatwaves. In response, climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, including nature-based solutions, have increased across the region, with a focus on emissions reductions, carbon sequestration, and resilience building. Find out more about this key messagehere.

Guiding question one: How might extreme weather change life for people living in the Northeast?

Guiding question two: How do land use choices lead to more extreme weather event impacts in urban areas? How can land be developed to prevent/reduce extreme weather event impacts?

Guiding question three: What are some impacts on agriculture and locally available foods due to extreme weather impacts?

Key Message Two: Ocean and Coastal Impacts Are Driving Adaptation to Climate Change

The ocean and coastal habitats in the Northeast are experiencing changes that are unprecedented in recorded history, including ocean warming, marine heatwaves, sea level rise, and ocean acidification. Changing ocean conditions are causing significant shifts in the distribution, productivity, and seasonal timing of life-cycle events of living marine resources in the Northeast. These impacts have spurred adaptation efforts such as coastal wetland restoration and changes in fishing behavior. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: How might changing ocean conditions affect fish and sea life communities in the marine ecosystems closest to you? How will that impact the regional economy?

Guiding question two: What is needed for plant, animal, and human populations to adapt to climate change in the Northeast?

Guiding question three: What are some of the projected impacts for sea level rise? How can communities prepare for these potential impacts?

Key Message Three: Disproportionate Impacts Highlight the Importance of Equitable Policy Choices 

Extreme heat, storms, flooding, and other climate-related hazards are causing disproportionate impacts among certain communities in the Northeast, notably including racial and ethnic minorities, people of lower socioeconomic status, and older adults. These communities tend to have less access to healthcare, social services, and financial resources and to face higher burdens related to environmental pollution and preexisting health conditions. Social equity objectives are prominent in many local-level adaptation initiatives, but the amount of progress toward equitable outcomes remains uneven. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: Why does climate change have a disproportionate impact on different communities?

Guiding question two: How might extreme heat, flooding, storms, and other hazards alter ways of life for indigenous populations? What are the challenges with using relocation and land acquisition as adaptation strategies for Indigenous lands?

Guiding question three: Why is social equity important for managing climate-related hazards?

Key Message Four: Climate Action Plans Are Now Being Implemented

In recent years, there have been substantial advances in the magnitude and scope of climate action across all jurisdictional scales. Almost every state in the region has conducted or updated a climate impact assessment, developed a comprehensive climate action plan, and enacted climate-related laws since 2018. Innovative approaches to transparent, inclusive, and equitable processes around climate action are being embraced by Tribes, municipalities, and states. Although ambitious emissions reduction targets have been put forward, meeting these goals is expected to be challenging. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: What action plans are related to where you live? How ambitious are those plans?

Guiding question two: What is needed to create a successful climate action plan in your region? What challenges may arise when creating a plan?

Guiding question three: How can your class or school participate in one of the climate action plans that applies to your community?

Key Message Five: Implementation of Climate Plans Depends on Adequate Financing

Options for financing mitigation and adaptation efforts have expanded in recent years, providing households, communities, and businesses with more options for responding to climate change. Flood insurance allows individuals and communities to recover following extreme flooding events, but many at-risk homeowners lack adequate coverage. Although the public sector remains the primary source of funding for adaptation, private capital has started to invest in a variety of mitigation and adaptation projects, including services for monitoring climate risks and community-based catastrophe insurance. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: How should we decide who pays for climate action?

Guiding question two: How are climate change and flood insurance connected in the Northeast?

Pathways to action for the Northeast*

*These selections were curated by CLEAN

The following actions and case studies highlight ideas for climate change adaptation and mitigation at multiple scales and are meant to support and inspire students and educators to take steps that address the challenges outlined in this chapter.

Action 1: Increase The Use Of Distributed Solar

Action 2: Find Ways To Address Flooding With Infrastructure

Action 3:  Coastal Wetlands Restoration

Action 4: Improve Fisheries Management

Looking for more ideas for climate change actions? Explore the National Climate Assessment chapters on adaptation (chapter 31) and mitigation (chapter 32).

National Climate Assessment Northeast Chapter Connections:

The national climate assessment includes multiple chapters on climate change-specific topics. The chapters and key messages offer ways to further engage with the NCA and find out more information related to the region.

 

Disclaimer: The National Climate Assessment regional resources for educators is written, edited, and moderated by each regional team of contributors. Posts reflect the views of the regional team themselves and not necessarily Climate.gov, NOAA and USGCRP.