The Great Lakes region is predicted to experience significant coastal impacts due
to global climate change that are different than impacts being predicted for our
ocean coasts. Specialized education, training and community planning are needed
to assist Great Lakes coastal communities in adapting to changes resulting from
climate change. To help address these needs, students from the University of
Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment collaborated with
NOAA Great Lakes Regional Collaboration team members and Sea Grant
professionals to develop training materials on adaptation to climate change in the
Great Lakes region. The project resulted in three educational modules that can be
delivered individually or as a unit to prepare local officials to develop climate
change adaptation plans for their communities:
Module 1: “Climate Impacts: What am I Adapting To?” summarizes recent
climate change research results and long-term forecasts for climate change
impacts.
Module 2: “How do I Develop an Adaptation Plan?” prepares leaders to identify
and consider management actions necessary to respond to forecasted changes
through climate adaptation plans.
Module 3: “What Tools are Available for me to Adapt?” familiarizes leaders with
decision tools and science based resources needed to make coastal development,
resource protection, and infrastructure decisions that that will shape their
communities coastline and keep communities sustainable for the next 50-100
years.
These outreach modules were developed to allow use by Sea Grant Program
Extension Staff, USDA Extension Staff, Coastal Zone Management Programs,
and other trained outreach professionals who work with local community decision
makers in the Great Lakes region. Modules were designed to allow for maximum
flexibility and adaptability and can easily be modified to include future research
and tools that increase the information useful for local decision makers.