Transcript Cape Cod: In Harm*s Way

Cape Cod: In Harm’s Way
Climate Change
and
Environmental
Justice
An Environmental Justice
Presentation
by the
Falmouth Clergy Association
Produced by Odin Tidemand,
Date: May 1, 2013
Who and Where We Are
"the bared and bended arm of Massachusetts ... boxing with Northeast
storms.” -Henry David Thoreau
Cape Cod (The Cape) is a 65 mile long island jutting
out from the southeast coast of Massachusetts.
 located between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape
Cod Bay.
 formed by climate change. Retreating glaciers
deposited gravel, clay and sand
 Technically, most of Cape Cod is considered to be
barrier island since it is cut off from the mainland
by the Cape Cod Canal
 there are 215,000 year round residents, many of
whom are retirees.
 it has the oldest population in Massachusetts
Population and Land Use Changes
 A major resort-Est.6,000,000 visitors per year,
4,000,000 between June 1 and September 30
 1950 Population-36,800
 2012 Population-215,800-of which 50% are over the
age of 45 - Median age 49.9 years
 1951 Land Use
 9.5% residential
 1.5% commercial
 89.5% open or wooded
 1999 Land Use
 30.9% residential
 3.9% commercial
 1% industrial
 63.8% open or wooded
Population Change Cape Cod
Population Map1950
Population Map 2010
Effects of Climate Change on
Cape Cod
Extreme Weather
Hurricanes
Nor’easters
Blizzards
Rising Sea Levels, Melting Polar Cap
Flooding
Beach Erosion
 Health and Safety Problems
Mosquito Borne Illnesses
Tick Borne Illnesses
Extremes of Heat and Cold
Changes in Air and Water Quality
Extreme Weather
Hurricane 1938- Path and Winds
Hurricane 1938
Impact
Cape Cod-Katrina Victims
Vulnerable Groups
Environmental Justice Advocates on Cape Cod
are especially concerned about high risk groups.
The list includes…
the very young and the very old
people with disabilities
low income people, homeless people
people not fluent in English
seasonal workers, tourists, immigrants
Median Age Distribution 2010 Census
NSTAR Outage Map 2-8-2013
Nemo-February 2013
Extreme Weather Response
• Preparedness Education
– Guidelines distributed by local governments, NGOs,
faith communities, local rescue organizations
– Development of “Buddy Groups”
• Organized by neighborhood groups, faith communities,
social clubs, civic groups, senior centers, etc.
• Community Wide Activities
– Before the storm: Emergency preparedness,
“consciousness raising” activities
– During the storm: Shelter operations
– After the storm: Disaster recovery, rebuilding
communities, assisting refugees.
Nor’easter Nemo- February 2013
Falmouth High School Shelter
Faith Organizations and
Disaster Relief-Hurricane Sandy
Salvation Army
Islamic Circle of
North America
Church World Service
The Unitarian Church of Staten Island
Hurricane Sandy
What can Faith Organizations do in
Response to Climate Change?
Religious Services
– Beginning of hurricane season (June 1) service
– Religious services to recognize and thank first
responders, heath care workers, etc.
– Mid-winter religious service
– Memorial services, services for healing
Religious services provide opportunities for reflection,
consciousness raising, education, encouragement,
grieving and healing, and saying “thank you”.
What can Faith Organizations do in
Response to Climate Change?
Emergency Preparations
 Prepare emergency supplies for individuals, families
and the entire congregation
 Is your religious building ready to withstand an
extreme weather event? Review insurance coverage
and prepare for utility disruptions.
 Do you have an emergency communications plan for
your congregation? Who needs special attention?
 Contact local emergency agencies to ask “how can
we be helpful?”
Move concerns from “me” to “we”.
What can Faith Organizations do in
Response to Climate Change?
After the Storm
Call members “Is everybody okay?”
Check with community agencies to
see if assistance is needed
Contact national agencies, if
appropriate
Rising Sea Levels
Melting Polar Ice
Flooding
Beach Erosion
Health and Safety
Effects of Rising Temperatures
 Mosquito Borne Illnesses
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 West Nile Virus
 Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Tick Borne Disease
Lyme Disease
Babesiosis
Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis
Impact on Fisheries
Shellfish Disease
Toxic Algae
Increased Water Acidity
Great White Shark invasion
Heat Related Illnesses, especially among children and elderly
Poor Air Quality and Respiratory Diseases
Shark Following Kayaker Cape Cod
2012
Mosquito Borne Illnesses
Lyme Disease Map
Energy Justice
• All people, in all places, require
an adequate supply of energy
that is safe, affordable, and
sustainable.
• Energy use, like water use, is a
human right.
Disabled and Special Needs People
• Disabled people are especially vulnerable to
Climate Change
• Planning is paramount
– Make certain shelters are ADA compliant
– Will shelters accommodate your pets?
– Shelter in Place
• Do you have electricity to operate needed medical
equipment?
• Do you have adequate medications?
• Is emergency medical treatment available?
• Are you registered with your local government as
disabled?
Conclusion
Ask What You Can Do to Adapt
to and help Minimize the effects
of Climate Change
Educate
Organize
Prepare
Respond
Credits
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Slide 1-photo Odin Tidemand
Slide4-MidWestRoots by Kyle
Slide 6-Woods Hole Research Center
Slides 7 and 8 Cape Cod Commission
Slide 10-NOAA
Slide 11-Risk Management Solutions
Slide12- Cape Cod Today
Slide 13-Boston Globe
Slide 15-US Census
Slide 16-NSTAR
Slide 17-Kingston Journal
Slide 19-Bob Murphy
Slide 20-Salvation Army, Islamic Circle
of North America
• Slide 21-Church World Service
• Slide 29-WBUR.org
• Slide 30-Commonwealth of MA,
Department of Public Health
• Slide 31-WBUR.org
• Slide 32-energyjustice.net
• Special thanks to the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth,
Massachusetts and to the Sierra Club's
Cape Cod and Islands Group for their
assistance in developing this
presentation.