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Panel 3: Implications of Sea Level Rise for National Security and the Urban, Working Waterfront
Coordinators: Joseph Bouchard (Cox Communications)
EU Invitees: Jürgen Scheffran, Institute for Geography, University of Hamburg
Key Local and Regional Invitees: Janos Szonyegi, Strategic Analysis Branch Head, Allied Command Transformation
Austin Becker, Asst. Professor of Coastal Planning, Policy, and Design, University of Rhode Island
Rising sea levels and climate change pose significant national security challenges to the Hampton Roads region and other low lying areas around the world. Among the most pressing challenges from a national security perspective is how to protect or adapt existing base and port facilities as well as shipyards from rising sea levels and storm surges. Rising sea levels also threaten the critical transportation networks and electric grids that serve low lying areas. Given the high concentration of key national security facilities in the Hampton Roads region, the consequences of not taking action may be very severe. This challenge is further complicated by the symbiotic relationship between military bases, civilian shipyards and the surrounding communities that provide critical infrastructure and utilities.
This working group/panel will focus on the need for, and ways to, protect, adapt or abandon existing military bases and civilian port installations of national security interests in the Hampton Roads region by drawing on experiences and best practices in both civilian industry and the military. The working group/panel will feature speakers with leading expertise and personal experience of working on these issues in both an American and European context.