Editor’s note: The goal of The EBM Toolbox is to promote awareness of tools for facilitating EBM and MSP processes. It is brought to you by the EBM Tools Network, a voluntary alliance of tool users, developers, and training providers. Learn more about EBM tools and the EBM Tools Network at www.ebmtools.org.
There are scores of resources for helping coastal planners gauge potential climate change impacts to natural resources and communities (e.g., www.natureserve.org/climatetoolsguide). However, resources for gauging climate change adaptation actions, particularly their economic/financial aspects, are much rarer.
There are some tools and resources that provide guidance on the costs and benefits of adaptation options such as relocating vital infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities) and building coastal defenses (e.g., seawalls). Over the past few years, the EBM Tools Network (www.ebmtools.org) has pooled its knowledge of what is available, and this compendium is available at www.openchannels.org/blog/ebm-tools-network/figuring-out-economics-and-finances-coastal-climate-change-adaptation.
Two key resources we found are:
- Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise Tool (COAST) is a process that helps users answer questions about the costs and benefits of actions and strategies to avoid damages from sea level rise and/or coastal flooding. Much of the value of using COAST is that it helps connect organizations and communities with the social, political, and economic realities of local adaptation so that informed discussions about the future can take place. Learn more about COAST at www.bluemarblegeo.com/products/COAST.php. View an introductory webinar about the tool at www.openchannels.org/webinars/2013/webinar-demonstration-coast-coastal-adaptation-sea-level-rise-tool.
- What Will Adaptation Cost? An Economic Framework for Coastal Community Infrastructure is a report that provides a framework for making economically informed decisions about adapting to sea level rise and storm flooding. This resource helps users perform holistic assessments of costs and benefits of different adaptation approaches for communities and select infrastructure. Read the report at www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/publications/adaptation. View an introductory webinar about the report at www.openchannels.org/webinars/2013/what-will-adaptation-cost-economic-framework-coastal-community-infrastructure.
Many thanks to the EBM Tools Network members who provided these resources!