In May, the federal government issued its third National Climate Assessment, which represents the work of 300 scientists and 13 federal agencies. In the 800-page report, analysts echoed findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: that the planet is warming as a result of pollutant-driven carbon dioxide buildup, and that the consequences for human life include sea level rise, flooding, severe weather events and threats to species and public health, including spikes in allergens and infestations of disease-bearing mosquitoes.

These forecasts are of particular concern to coastal communities here. Sea level along the North Atlantic coast has risen about 1 foot since 1900, according to the report, and is expected to rise up to another 4 feet by the year 2100. Sea level rise in the Northeastern United States is expected to exceed the global average.

Let’s be clear: this is not tree-hugging alarmism. We’ve already seen how storm surges devastate infrastructure; wiping out roads, utilities, transportation channels, homes and businesses.

While governments at each level are looking at hazard mitigation plans and exploring alternatives to fossil fuel energy, the need to preserve existing natural buffers to sea level rise is paramount. Salt marshes are among man’s allies against our own worst practices. Marshes are a stabilizing presence on shorelines. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they limit erosion by mitigating wave impact. Their dense, strong vegetation traps sediments. They hinder flooding by absorbing rainwater and preserve water quality by filtering pollutants. They are also a haven for an abundance of life — shelter and breeding area for fish, shellfish, crustaceans and a slew of birds. We are grateful to this issue’s Woman of Grace, microbiologist Anne Bernhard, for taking the time to walk us through our local marshes, and the potential they hold to help us navigate life in our changing world. 

— f.parenteau@theday.com; 860.701.4375