Outcomes

This project considered coastal adaptation in Northern New England from the perspectives of both climate change and economic growth. It focused on the priorities, innovations, and opportunities that will allow communities to become more resilient to short-term, long-term, and unanticipated change. In response to the pandemic, the original plans for an in-person workshop shifted to a series of smaller meetings, virtual events, focus groups, and interviews, bringing together insights and visions from a variety of academic researchers, climate adaptation practitioners, students and youth activists, coastal community leaders, and other government and civic leaders. These events underscored known problems and persistent uncertainties as well as identified untapped collaborations and links among organizations actively engaged in preparing communities for climate and socio-economic change.

Common conclusions encompassed 1) a desire for more social connectedness, especially when preparing for uncertain futures, 2) the development of more equitable public spaces, including healthy, walkable, and livable communities with affordable housing, alternative energy solutions, and accessible local and regional public transportation, and 3) a tremendous opportunity to expand civic-engaged research. Participants shared ideas on how to build capacity for a future climate adaptation workforce, blend community practice with academic learning, and facilitate collaboration and networking to aide communities in implementing emerging coastal and climate adaptation plans. The guided discussions also highlighted the importance of Arctic change when considering both climate and socio-economic futures of New England.

This effort also included six student projects and internships as preliminary testbeds for some of the ideas that arose during the events, including research and community workshops associated with Maine-Greenland Collaborations. The project website (necope2100.net) archives the events and provides summaries of project outcomes, including an animated video presenting priorities determined for envisioning and designing sustainable coastal communities into the next century.