According to a 2014 survey:
- 79% of Delawareans are convinced climate change is happening now.
- 76 percent think immediate action should be taken to reduce the impact of climate change.
- 65 percent believe they can personally take action to reduce climate change.
Climate change already is impacting Delaware, bringing higher temperatures, rising sea levels and increasing rainfall. Scientific evidence shows that average temperatures in Delaware have increased over the last century, and are expected to continue to rise. Meanwhile, sea levels rose an average of 13 inches over the past 100 years, threatening Delaware as SLR accelerates as expected over this century. And many communities statewide face increasing risks of flooding.
But with planning tools in place, including Gov. Markell’s Executive Order 41, DNREC is spearheading the state’s effort against climate change, by taking steps to prepare Delaware for emerging climate impacts.
- To adapt to sea level rise, heavier rainfall and related flooding, we’re changing our approach to land use decisions and infrastructure planning.
- We’re strengthening infrastructure through beach replenishment, dike reconstruction and other projects.
- We’ve made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through state-of-the-art pollution controls and switching to cleaner burning fuels at power plants.
What are you doing to reduce the effects of climate change?
What more would you like to see done in Delaware?