The Environmental Committee of the Chappaquiddick Island Association has been busy addressing climate change concerns. They held a series of Zoom sessions in 2020 to address four separate climate issues for the benefit of Chappy residents, Edgartown officials, and other concerned parties. The sessions included a variety of experts discussing the important issue of climate change on Chappy. Each session is outlined below. Click on the title of each session to access an archived Zoom recording.
Session 1 - Sea Level Rise & Coastal Flooding
Session 1, held on August 15th, was focused on the science of sea-level rise and the impacts of coastal flooding from rising tides and storm surges on Chappy. Rob Thieler, Director of USGS in Woods Hole, and Liz Durkee, Conservation Agent of Oak Bluffs, gave presentations. We became acutely aware of how vulnerable Chappy is to the effects of climate change and how critical it is that we prepare ourselves for the ever-increasing frequency and magnitude of weather-related emergencies.
Session 2 - Emergency Preparedness
Session 2, held on September 30th, addressed what Edgartown and other Island communities have in place for emergency response relating to flooding, forest fires, power outages, communication loss, and inaccessibility. Alex Schaeffer, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director of Edgartown, and Noli Taylor, CERT coordinator for Aquinnah, gave presentations while Russ Hartenstine, Emergency Management Director of West Tisbury, moderated. Edgartown Town Administrator James Haggerty and ferry operator Peter Wells added comments. We learned what Edgartown has in place for preparedness and what is currently in the works or awaiting funding. We now understand how essential it is to create our own volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the ability to shelter in place. The Committee is taking the lead in organizing a CERT and providing guidelines to ensure every household is properly equipped.
Session 3 - Coastal Erosion and Accessibility: How Can We Adapt?
Session 3, held on October 28th, addressed the ferry and coastal erosion issues related to climate change. Rick Murray, Deputy Director and Vice President for Research at WHOI, Cornelia Dean, science journalist and educator, and Joe Famely, Senior Environmental Scientist at the Woods Hole Group, gave presentations. Rick moderated and Jane Varkonda, Conservation Agent of Edgartown, and Peter Wells added comments. We learned how critical is it that we treat our beaches and bluffs strategically and holistically to minimize effects on the normal cycles of nature. We learned of the vulnerability of the ferry and what is being studied through a MVP Vulnerability Assessment Project for potential long-term solutions.
Session 4 - Global Warming: How Can We Help Mitigate It?
Session 4, held on December 3rd, was focused on the science of climate change to the land and the impacts of droughts and flooding on our ecosystems, wetlands, food supply, and aquifer. Christopher Schwalm and Chris Neill, Senior Scientists of the Woodwell Institute, Lily Walker, owner and operator of Slip Away Farm, Jonathan Phinney, oceanographer with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Alton Stone, Environmental Engineer with Alton Engineering, made the presentations. We learned the importance and methodologies of preparing for new wetlands resulting from sea-level rise, protecting forests and grasslands, supporting and cultivating local food sources, and monitoring and minimizing the mining of our limited fresh water supply.
For more information on this CIA initiative, please read the Committee’s full report.