When It Comes To Climate Change – Money Talks

May 8, 2013

By Bruce Hyde (updated 9/2025)

damaged houses on the shoreline after a major stormIt is generally accepted by climate scientists that New England will experience a trend of increasing intensity and frequency of storms resulting in an increase in flooding and coastal erosion. Recent storms have raised our collective awareness of the damage, both fiscal and physical, that these storms can cause. Consider that Sandy wasn’t even a hurricane when it hit Connecticut; it was a mere tropical storm. Yet federal funding for Sandy relief in Connecticut amounted to over $360 million. If you include New York and New Jersey, Congress approved over $60 billion in emergency disaster aid for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Sandy. That amounts to approximately $382 for every taxpayer (157 million taxpayers) in the country. If these types of storms become more frequent, it raises the question: Just how are we going to pay for it?

Adapt CT

Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn CLEAR work to provide information, tools, trainings and workshop opportunities to assist municipalities, businesses and residents of Connecticut in their efforts to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. Drawing on expertise from faculty within multiple departments at UConn and other universities, municipal officials, consultants, and lawyers, we strive to share the most recent information and research that communities need to make decisions on how to best adapt to the climate change impacts facing Connecticut.

On Adapt CT, you will find information on

  • The Climate Adaptation Academy offers workshops, trainings, tools and presentations on current issues in climate adaptation.
  • The UConn Climate Corps is a program for undergraduate students emphasizing current issues in climate adaptation, particularly within Connecticut, and the opportunity to work with municipalities and other groups on adaptation projects.
  • The Habitats section provides information and resources related to the restoration and management of coastal habitats in Connecticut as well as a management plan outline for open space activities.
  • Tools and Assistance offers a wide range of climate related resources for municipal officials and commission members, residents and learners of all ages.

Visit the Adapt CT website.