20 Mar 2024

Balancing Climate Resilience and Adaptation for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Building Institutional Capacity

Abstract: Although the Caribbean's Small Island Developing States (SIDS) minimally contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, they face disproportionate climate risks and are particularly susceptible to systemic economic threats posed by climate change and subsequent increases in climate variability. Historically, strategic programs and investments have sought to develop more robust and adaptive engineered systems to absorb climate threats. However, such initiatives are limited and under-resourced in the SIDS’ context. This article reviews existing climate strategies in the Caribbean and then critically examines current gaps and barriers relating to climate impact knowledge, needs, and implementation. This examination can assist Caribbean SIDS leadership to identify opportunities to transition from a vulnerability-reducing mindset to one of resilience and transformative adaptation to improve long-term economic outlooks, social welfare, and environmental stewardship despite recurring and escalating climate risks.

15 Dec 2023

Challenges and Limitations of Using Autonomous Instrumentation for Measuring In Situ Soil Respiration in a Subarctic Boreal Forest in Alaska, USA

Abstract: Subarctic and Arctic environments are sensitive to warming temperatures due to climate change. As soils warm, soil microorganisms break down carbon and release greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Recent studies examining CO2 efflux note heterogeneity of microbial activity across the landscape. To better understand carbon dynamics, our team developed a predictive model, Dynamic Representation of Terrestrial Soil Predictions of Organisms’ Response to the Environment (DRTSPORE), to estimate CO2 efflux based on soil temperature and moisture estimates. The goal of this work was to acquire respiration rates from a boreal forest located near the town of Fairbanks, Alaska, and to provide in situ measurements for the future validation effort of the DRTSPORE model estimates of CO2 efflux in cold climates. Results show that soil temperature and seasonal soil thaw depth had the greatest impact on soil respiration. However, the instrumentation deployed significantly altered the soil temperature, moisture, and seasonal thaw depth at the survey site and very likely the soil respiration rates. These findings are important to better understand the challenges and limitations associated with the in situ data collection used for carbon efflux modeling and for estimating soil microbial activity in cold environments.

4 Jul 2023

Developing long-term mitigation climate change impacts secures Team Award

The Northwestern Division Columbia River Treaty Vulnerability Assessment Team earned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering and Construction Climate Champion Team Award for its substantial contributions to district, regional, and national climate product development, to help advance understanding of and preparation for future climate change in the Pacific Northwest.

12 Apr 2023

USACE, City and County of Honolulu invite public comment on Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City and County of Honolulu (CCH) invite public comment on the preparation of the Ala Wai Canal Flood Risk Management General Re-evaluation Study (Ala Wai FRM GR), Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) now through May 8, 2023. The Ala Wai FRM GR study is looking at ways to reduce physical and economic damages due to riverine flooding and to enhance life safety and community resilience throughout the entire Ala Wai watershed. Community involvement is crucial to ensuring the success of the Ala Wai FRM GR Study as it enters its next critical phase. To maximize community involvement, USACE in partnership with the CCH, will hold a virtual public meeting, Monday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m. to present the prospective plan, answer questions, and accept oral comments. The virtual meeting format will include an overview of the project, the NEPA/HEPA processes, and present the results of the plan formulation process to-date, including development, evaluation, and comparison of the final array of alternatives. The presentation will be available to view online by April 17. Interested parties are encouraged to view the presentation prior to the meeting. To download, visit: www.honolulu.gov/AlaWai.

1 Aug 2022

Louisville District’s Brantley Thames awarded HQ Climate Champion Award

Brantley Thames, Hydraulic Engineer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District and member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Climate Preparedness and Resilience Community of Practice and National Policy Advisor for Climate and Military Programs, was awarded the HQ USACE Climate Champion Award in July 2022. This award signifies a commitment to promoting climate resilience across all USACE Civil Works business lines.

10 Jun 2022

REM workshop assists with prioritizing work according to policy

The Resource Efficiency Managers in attendance are all contracted “employees” whose sole purpose is improving their assigned installation’s energy programs by identifying projects and practices to reduce energy and water costs.

16 May 2022

IWR engineer and planner edits special journal issue on ‘Water infrastructure planning, management and design under climate uncertainty’

16 May 2022

Controversial, successful Virginia Beach ecosystem restoration project to hold open-house event

The second phase of a large-scale hard reef habitat restoration project funded by the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and City of Virginia Beach sees forward movement May 17 at the Brock Environmental Center, Virginia Beach.

11 Apr 2022

Validation team meeting climate change criteria changes

The ERCIP validation team is opening any Fiscal 2024 projects that don’t have carbon free solutions and updating the projects to fulfill the criteria.

31 Jan 2022

Inequitable patterns of US flood risk in the Anthropocene

Mr. William Lehman, of IWRs’ Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) in Davis, CA, wrote an article with