Coastal Cities: Ground Zero for Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Wednesday, 23 June 2021 - 10:00am

Join the Stimson Center’s Environmental Security Program and Island Press for a roundtable discussion on coastal city resilience and the launch of a new book, A Blueprint for Coastal Adaptation: United Design, Economics, and Policy. The event will bring together some of the best thinkers and practitioners engaged in building resilient coastal cities both at home and abroad. The conversation will engage the virtual audience and focus on successful approaches to develop comprehensive climate adaptation actions in coastal cities and to direct financial resources to safeguard people, their livelihoods, and to build a more resilient future.

Located at the interface between land and sea, coastal cities are centers of innovation and economic productivity, concentrating large numbers of people and assets. However, they are also at the forefront of climate change. Rising sea levels, increasing storm intensity, and warmer temperatures stress ecosystems upon which millions depend, degrade outdated infrastructure, and upend economic stability.

Climate risks also compound existing pressures. In many cities around the globe, rapid urbanization is outpacing infrastructure development –including housing, waste management, bridges, and roads. These factors also exacerbate social and health inequities. As climate change impacts continue to grow and in a post-COVID environment, governments, businesses, and international financial institutions need to consider climate risk across social, economic and ecological issues to design comprehensive solutions and unlock additional financial resources.

Participants include: 

  • Jainey Bavishi, Resilience Director, New York City Office of the Mayor
  • Carolyn Kousky, Executive Director, Wharton Risk Center, University of Pennsylvania
  • Paul Huang, Acting Assistant Administrator of Resilience, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
  • Sally Yozell, Senior Fellow and Director, Environmental Security Program, Stimson Center (Moderator)