Biden administration to invest $562M to help coastal communities address climate change

Climate change is far-reaching, but some areas are more prone to its effects than others, especially coastal communities. To mitigate the impact, the federal government wants to invest $562 million into nearly 150 projects across 30 coastal states and territories to make communities and their economies more resilient.

The awards will be made through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative and funded through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. “These investments will create jobs while protecting people, communities and ecosystems from the threats of climate change, and help our nation take the steps it needs to become more resilient and build a clean energy economy,” said Gina Raimondo, secretary of the Department of Commerce, which put forward the recommendation.

The funding includes $477 million for 149 nature-based infrastructure projects intended to bolster coastal communities’ ability to respond to extreme weather events, address climate hazards, and support locally led restoration, a statement about the investment says.

Another $46 million made available through NOAA’s National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resilience Fund partnership for projects that will help communities prepare for increasing coastal flooding, sea-level rise and more intense storms by improving coastal habitats. And $39.1 million will go toward planning, policy development, research, education, and engagement to protect coastal ecosystems.

“This crucial federal investment will help coastal communities in every corner of the Empire State, from the shores of Lake Ontario to the Hudson River, tackle the climate crisis by cleaning our waterways and bolstering critical infrastructure—all while putting New Yorkers to work and boosting our economy,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, in the statement. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are “game changing investments in climate ready initiatives.”

The investments are targeted at community-driven efforts to push back against the effects of climate change at the local level. In Hawaii, for example, eight projects will receive $26 million to make communities and the environment more resilient.

The Hawaiian projects include $8.9 million for the restoration of “severely degraded coral reefs,” $7.8 million for habitat degridation in Niu, Kuli‘ou‘ou, and Wailupe watersheds of the Maunalua Bay region of O‘ahu, $3.1 million to strengthen coastal resilience at two sites in West Maui and South Moloka’i, and $2.9 million to remove plastic marine debris from “the entire Hawaiian archipelago and recycle it into public infrastructure,” among others, according to a statement.

“Climate change has already had detrimental consequences in Hawaii and around the world,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “As ocean temperatures and sea levels continue to rise, we must prioritize sustainable climate solutions that protect our coastlines and the communities that call them home. With this funding, NOAA is investing in community-driven solutions to build more resilient infrastructure and help combat the impacts of climate change. I’m glad to see this federal funding coming to Hawaii and I will continue working to protect Hawaii’s environment and coastline for future generations.”