Climate Change Adaptation

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^{Lucy Vincent Beach, Chilmark, site of some of the Vineyard's most visible erosion}

How global climate change will affect Martha's Vineyard

The United States makes up only 5% of the worlds population and we consume more than 25% of its energy.

Now more than ever, nature is counting on us to reduce our level of consumption and rein in our fossil fuel emissions. If we don't, we can expect many devastating environmental consequences some of which are listed below.

Extreme Heat: more than four times the number of extreme heat days which will reduce soil moisture and wetlands.

Loss of Native Species: such as the maple tree, native brook trout and many migratory bird species.

Environmental effects: increased fire risk, water quality problems in our ponds, native plants will be choked out by invasive and pest species that will change their range, moving northward
up to 500 miles. A dramatic rise in base sea-level will cause coastal erosion and inundation of wetlands.

What can we do?

We need to be as self-reliant and self aware about what we do in everyday life as much as possible.Certain changes are unavoidable and we must be pro-active not reactive in preparing for them.

Instead of armoring the coastline against erosion with concrete and stone, a range of “nature-based” solutions must be viewed as the first line of defense.
Vulnerable lands need to be left undeveloped instead of constructing costly homes and infrastructure calling for protection in the future.
Wetlands and buffer areas must be targeted for conservation on, and hardy native species that anchor the soils need to be encouraged and safeguarded.
Instead of planning for installation of larger culverts and infrastructure to handle more intense storms, natural filtration areas need to be set aside to handle expanded storm water flow.

The Vineyard Conservation Society encourages a commitment to reversing the high emissions track we are on. We can all make better choices for the environment.

The Power of Energy Conservation

The extent of wind power’s contribution to eventually stabilizing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in the necessary range of 350-450 ppm is hotly debated (we’re currently at 385 ppm and rising).

But what experts DO agree on is that conservation of energy and improved energy efficiency will be key climate change solutions. It is cheap and can be deployed immediately. Nearly 40% of the reductions in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions needed by the year 2030 can come from energy efficiency.

The Vineyard Conservation Society is concerned about the impacts on natural and scenic resources of any development including offshore renewable energy development. If development of our waters in the name of averting a climate crisis comes to pass, then “Community Benefit” must be linked to strengthening the primary tool for actually combating global climate change, and that is CONSERVATION of energy and improvement in energy efficiency. For southeast Massachusetts, that must translate into dollars coming to the region for conservation and efficiency improvements at a much larger scale in our homes, businesses, equipment, and transportation systems.

Our colleagues at the Nature Conservancy have developed an approach that we think makes sense called Energy by Design: “The possibility of widespread energy sprawl increases the need for energy conservation, appropriate siting, sustainable production practices, and compensatory mitigation offsets. Avoid development when you can, minimize impacts when you can’t, and compensate for those impacts that cannot be avoided”.

More information on global climate change:

>How global climate change will affect Martha's Vineyard
(Brendan O'Neill, VCS)

>Confronting Clima te Change in Massachusetts
(Union of Concerned Scientists)

A few of our favorite climate change websites:

>Climatide: WGBH's climate change blog, an excellent source for up-to-date news of local interest

>The Union of Concerned Scientists

>The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

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