A new report predicting natural disasters, largely brought on by extreme weather, threatens North Carolina’s $20 billion tourism industry.
The report, States at Risk: America’s Preparedness Report Card, gives the state a “B+” when it comes to climate threats.
While performing better than most neighboring states, according to Dr. Gregory Characklis, professor of environmental sciences and engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill, it’s important to stay ahead of the threats, which include the problem of drought.
“We have an opportunity now to try and put in place policies that are going to allow us to manage the next drought well because if we’re making decisions in the heat of the moment while we’re in crisis, odds are we might not make the best decisions,” he says.
North Carolina gets low marks for preparedness against coastal flooding. The analysis estimates 120,000 people live in at-risk areas which is expected to increase by over 30 percent by 2050. In addition, the number of heat-wave days are expected to quadruple by 2050.
The state did receive recognition for conducting an assessment of sea level rise vulnerability and having a plan to address climate change, although the report notes there is little evidence the plan has been implemented.
Characklis says the state has started to develop models of who is using water and where, because while the southeast has historically had ample water supply, it’s not something that can be taken for granted.
“We’ve got a growing population in this state, a growing economy. So, demand is rising, while our supply is relatively fixed,” explains Characklis.