Raleigh News & Observer Logo

Time for NC to prepare for rising sea levels | Raleigh News & Observer

×
  • E-edition
    • Customer Service
    • Support
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Sponsorships
    • Stay connected
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Social Media Directory
    • N&O Store
    • Buy Photos
    • Databases
    • Archives
    • Newsletters

    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Health
    • Local
    • North Carolina
    • Nation/World
    • Science
    • Thumbs Up
    • Traffic
    • Weather
    • Weird News
    • All News
    • Counties
    • Durham County
    • Johnston County
    • Orange County
    • Wake County
    • All Sports
    • Baseball
    • Canes
    • College
    • Columns & Blogs
    • High Schools
    • NASCAR & Auto Racing
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NHL
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Panthers
    • Soccer
    • Schools
    • Duke
    • East Carolina
    • NC State
    • North Carolina
    • All Politics
    • The North Carolina Influencer Series
    • State Politics
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • PolitiFact
    • PolitiFact NC
    • Rob Christensen
    • Under the Dome
    • All Business
    • Blogs
    • Columnists
    • Health Care
    • Personal Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Shop Talk
    • Stocks Center
    • Technology
    • All Living
    • Video Now
    • Best-Kept Secrets
    • Blogs
    • Celebrations
    • Comics
    • Family
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Games and Puzzles
    • Home and Garden
    • Horoscopes
    • Mouthful
    • Past Times
    • Pets
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Video Now
    • Arts News
    • ArtsNow
    • Books
    • Contests
    • Dining
    • Entertainment
    • Games
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Television
    • On the Beat
    • Happiness is a Warm TV
    • All Opinion
    • Columnists
    • Dwane Powell
    • Editorials
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Letters
    • Opinion Shop Blog
    • Other Views
    • Submit a Letter
  • Obituaries

    • Advertise with us
    • Place Ad
    • Apartments
    • Cars
    • Homes
    • Jobs
    • Legals
    • Obits/In Memoriams
    • Weddings
    • Today's Daily Deal
    • Special Sections
    • Today's Circulars
    • Rewards
    • Photo Store
  • Classifieds
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Cars
  • Homes
  • Legals

Editorials

Time for NC to prepare for rising sea levels

Some conservatives have the following idea about the scientists and public officials who have been warning of the need to curb greenhouse gases that lead to climate change and rising sea levels: These alarmists just want to cause trouble and probably use the climate change issue to elect more liberal Democrats including Hillary Clinton.

But climate change “deniers” are a shrinking group, particularly as scientists the world over, including many with no interest in American politics, demonstrate that rising sea levels and wider variances in temperatures are a fact.

Now, a study through the National Park Service hits home with another consequence of climate change: expense.

In North Carolina, the study estimates a sea level rise of 1 meter, which is expected over the next 100 to 150 years, would cost $2 billion in lost assets along the coast, from buildings and other Park Service assets.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

That would include things such as the Ocracoke Lighthouse, a pavilion and sculpture at the Wright Brothers Memorial, piers.

And some of these things, considering hurricane season, are pretty much at risk anyway, every year.

It also should be noted that the cost estimates probably are way low, considering what inflation could do over 100 years.

Conservatives who don’t recognize climate change as a reality scoff at all this of course. One hundred years? Why worry about that?

Well, what about the survival of families, of generations to come? What about the assets that have defined this state since its settlement? What about protecting, yes, this multitude of natural gifts that bless us all?

  Comments  

Videos

The Nunes Memo vs. the Schiff Memo

A drought helped set the stage for the Syrian War

View More Video

Trending Stories

John Harris warned his father about legal red flags involving Bladen operative

February 20, 2019 02:13 PM

Three observations from No. 8 North Carolina’s 88-72 road win over No. 1 Duke

February 21, 2019 02:18 AM

Transgender woman has asked to be moved from a men’s prison. So far, NC has said no.

February 20, 2019 01:42 PM

Zion Williamson injured as No. 1 Duke falls to No. 8 UNC

February 20, 2019 11:11 PM

Zion Williamson injured during Duke-UNC game after foot blows through shoe

February 20, 2019 09:53 PM

Read Next

State employee’s excessive sick pay needs review

Opinion

State employee’s excessive sick pay needs review

By The N and O Editorial Board

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 19, 2019 12:00 AM

A state employee received $70,000 in sick pay improperly, but state officials are taking little action

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The News & Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE EDITORIALS

Folwell’s hospital cost cuts could go too deep

Opinion

Folwell’s hospital cost cuts could go too deep

February 13, 2019 05:23 PM
Don’t just praise Rep. Walter Jones -- emulate him

Editorials

Don’t just praise Rep. Walter Jones -- emulate him

February 11, 2019 04:05 PM
How to fix the UNC Board of Governors

Opinion

How to fix the UNC Board of Governors

January 26, 2019 02:33 PM
Thom Tillis the moderate? Be skeptical

Opinion

Thom Tillis the moderate? Be skeptical

January 22, 2019 01:18 PM
GOP changes weaken elections and ethics oversight

Opinion

GOP changes weaken elections and ethics oversight

January 17, 2019 05:55 PM
Carol Folt takes the right stand on Silent Sam

Opinion

Carol Folt takes the right stand on Silent Sam

January 15, 2019 03:28 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Raleigh News & Observer App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Triangletoday.com
  • Legal Notices
Advertising
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Our Ads
  • Place a Classified
  • Local Deals
  • N&O Store
  • N&O Photos
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Report News
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use


Back to Story