Program on the Environment

As climate-driven hazards intensify, coastal communities in Washington face growing risks that reveal gaps in the implementation of effective resilience strategies. Through mapping the landscape of community-engaged solutions to coastal climate challenges in Washington, I was able to identify gaps in action among organizations positioned to drive change. This study draws on data collected during site visits in which I accompanied the Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team. Observational field notes and study of the human and environmental histories of sites gave me an understanding of local communities and their relationship to the area. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with climate practitioners supplemented by research into active climate resilience organizations helped me form a knowledge base of how contemporary climate efforts work. Throughout my research, I found that the largest barriers to improved coastal climate resilience and adaptation were a lack of interagency collaboration and persistent difficulty engaging with local stakeholders in hazard mitigation projects. Expansion of interagency groups, such as the Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team, is needed to help make the most of limited resources in the development of climate mitigation strategies. Further, bringing local stakeholder communities into the decision-making process regarding new coastal climate resilience projects will likely improve the efficacy of project strategies and outcomes.