This report presents the findings from a national climate-change adaptation survey conducted by eight Sea Grant programs across the U.S. (Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois-Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington). The survey was developed to understand the opinions, current phase of planning, and information needs of coastal/resource professionals and elected officials regarding climate change and adaptation to it.
Results from the survey indicate that most coastal/resource professionals seem to believe climate change is occurring in their area. Flooding and shoreline change are important topics to most of the participant programs, and lack of agreement over climate-change effects is a hurdle encountered by many participants. Participating programs are using the survey results to assist communities with adaptation.