Flooding in Chatham, 2007 (Flickr/Chris Seufert)
How is global warming changing Cape Cod? Sean Gonsalves of the Cape Cod Times lists five ways, concluding:
5) New waterfront property.
“Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps” are being released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Surprise! They show flood hazard zones in Cape towns will significantly expand, which means skyrocketing flood-insurance premiums — as high as $10,700.
This comes on the heels of several studies showing sea levels will continue to rise. Again, I refer you to the Department of Energy report: “Floods are projected to increase in frequency and intensity” especially in areas “that are expected to receive increased annual precipitation, such as the Midwest and the Northeast.”
Let us now give thanks for this costly gift bequeathed to us by previous generations and the expensive lesson in adaptability it will provide.
Fortunately for Cape Cod, the same clean energy solutions that cut climate-disrupting carbon pollution will also create jobs and bring energy stability to the Cape. Show your support for Cape Wind.
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