Currently, the city of Charleston, South Carolina is facing increased flooding due to climate change and rising sea levels. To combat these challenges, a project called SeaRise has been initiated, which aims to empower individuals to make a difference by contributing data simply by taking a photo. In different locations throughout the city, SeaRise signs can be found with rulers designed to measure flood depths accurately. The objective of this project is to promote community-driven and collaborative solutions to address the flooding issue.
The South Carolina Aquarium has joined forces with a flood modeler from the University of South Carolina to work on the SeaRise project. Scientific data, including a 2017 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has revealed that Charleston has experienced sea-level rise at a rate nearly double the global average since 1921. It is alarming to note that Charleston has seen a sea-level rise of 1.3 inches per decade. Projections for the future estimate an additional rise of one to four feet by the year 2100.
Participants in the SeaRise initiative are actively engaged in photo-documenting the flooding issues in Charleston, providing critical data that can inform strategies to mitigate these challenges. Each photo submission is linked to a NOAA buoy, which records important information such as air pressure and water temperature. Flooding extends beyond its impact on streets, rendering them unsafe to navigate, as it also poses a threat to the drinking water supply and disrupts important wildlife nesting areas.
Dr. Sara McDonald, the director of conservation at the South Carolina Aquarium, stresses the importance of considering how these signs can have a significant impact on certain communities. She explains that marginalized and underserved communities experience the negative impacts of flooding disproportionately compared to other communities. It is crucial to document these effects to ensure that resilience planning addresses the flooding experienced by these vulnerable communities.
To locate SeaRise signs in Charleston, here are five suggested locations: West Ashley Park at Church Creek, Brittlebank Park, Hagood Ave and Line St, King St and Huger St, and Morris St and Smith St. The project organizers also encourage community members to suggest additional locations for SeaRise signs.
The SeaRise project leadership is specifically looking for two important elements during this data collection process. Firstly, they encourage individuals to capture photos during high tide, particularly during king tides, across multiple locations throughout Charleston. This will help provide valuable information to inform flood modeling. Secondly, they emphasize the importance of capturing photos during multiple floods across different time periods to track the progression and impacts of flooding events.
Officials are actively encouraging community participation and welcome suggestions for additional locations where SeaRise signs should be placed. For more information on the SeaRise project, please click here.
In conclusion, the SeaRise project in Charleston aims to combat the challenges of increased flooding caused by climate change and rising sea levels. By empowering individuals to contribute data through simple photo documentation, the project strives to find community-driven and collaborative solutions. With scientific projections indicating a significant rise in sea levels by 2100, it is crucial to address these challenges and protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of flooding.