Coastal Resiliency
Coastal Resiliency
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, with increased temperatures, high precipitation events, and extreme weather affecting the region’s people, environment, and economy. Coordinated, regional action is needed in order to make sure that Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin communities are able to adapt.
In 2023, the GLLC adopted a policy agenda that included coastal resiliency as a top priority. Specifically, the GLLC committed to the following:
Coastal Resiliency: Plan and respond to the impacts of climate change on Great Lakes communities
- Support the sustainable economic development of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence coastal communities, including the restoration and preservation of habitat and wetlands
- Maintain the region’s locks and ports and to replace infrastructure when necessary to ensure the sustainable movement of cargo on the Great Lakes
- Support public and private initiatives to adapt Great Lakes-St. Lawrence marine transport, including clean fuel and green infrastructure
- Advocate planning and measures to adapt to projected changes in temperatures, precipitation levels, water levels, etc. and mitigate threats of flooding and erosion through nature-based shoreline restoration where possible.
In 2023, state and provincial legislators gathered in Detroit for the second Birkholz Institute. The 2023 Birkholz Fellows studied climate resiliency in the two-day intensive workshop before forming the Task Force on Climate Resiliency. Under the leadership of Task Force Chair IL Sen. Laura Ellman and Vice Chair ON MPP Jennifer French, the Task Force developed policy recommendations on climate resiliency for the GLLC. On September 10, 2024, the policy recommendations were adopted by the GLLC general membership.
The Midwest-Canada Relations Committee and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus invite state and provincial legislators, as well as…
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The Midwest-Canada Relations Committee and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus invited state and provincial legislators, as well as…
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The proliferation of data centers across the country, and the Midwest, holds out hope for a high-tech economic…
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On November 1, the AAAS EPI Center is hosting a panel of experts to discuss the scientific evidence…
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Task Force members will hear an update from Dr. Sara Hughes on the state flood resilience guide, as…
Read More- GLLC Policy Recommendations on Climate Resiliency (September 2024)
- Resolution on Regional Action on Climate Resiliency (September 2023)
- Resolution in Support of Modernization of the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (September 2017)
- Sign-on Letter Urging Funding for Maintenance Dredging of Great Lakes Small Commercial and Recreational Harbors (October 2016)
- Resolution in Support of Maintaining Great Lakes Commercial and Recreational Harbors (September 2015)
The Midwest-Canada Relations Committee and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus invite state and provincial legislators, as well as…
Read More
The proliferation of data centers across the country, and the Midwest, holds out hope for a high-tech economic…
Read More
Task Force members will hear an update from Dr. Sara Hughes on the state flood resilience guide, as…
Read More
On May 10, the GLLC Task Force on Climate Resiliency were briefed by Michael Padilla, Senior Project Manager,…
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On March 22, the GLLC held its second web meeting of 2024. Chad Lord, policy director for the…
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