Plum Island: Looking At A Vulnerable Landscape
dc.contributor.advisor | Krebs, Lorri | |
dc.contributor.author | Collins, Rowan | |
dc.creator | Collins, Rowan | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2024-07-23T17:52:58Z | |
dc.date.available | 2024-07-23T17:52:58Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2024-05-01 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13013/3320 | |
dc.description.abstract | Climate change is slowly becoming one of the most commonly discussed modern issues in the world. In a survey spanning 19 countries, the majority of people considered climate change to be a major threat to their country. In the UK, for example, 75% of people considered climate change to be a major threat in 2022, in comparison to 48% in 2013 (Fagan et al., 2022). Among the major threats associated with climate change, Sea level rise (SLR) is one of the most well-known and threatening, bringing with it erosion, flooding, and property damage or loss. Especially at risk are coastal communities such as Plum Island, Massachusetts, a small town in Newbury located on a barrier island. Barrier islands are a deposit of sand that forms parallel to the coast, named for their role in protecting coastal communities and ecosystems from extreme weather (NOAA, 2021). They are particularly vulnerable to erosion, especially when caused by human activity, so their conservation should be considered a priority in order to preserve the property located on them, as well as the ecosystems they foster. This study uses Plum Island as its focus to explore the threat of sea level rise, erosion, and flooding, their impact on housing and property, and potential solutions. This study explores if Plum Island has seen an increase in flooding over the past 10 years, whether this has led to increased property damage and erosion, what solutions have been recommended or attempted, and how Plum Island’s current situation compares to the rest of the world’s experiences. This research report will provide valuable reference to those attempting to understand the potential consequences of climate change, the risks Plum Island faces, and potential courses of action that can be taken. | |
dc.language.iso | eng | |
dc.title | Plum Island: Looking At A Vulnerable Landscape | |
dc.type | Article | |
dc.description.department | Geography and Sustainability | |
dc.date.display | May 2024 |