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Americans produces roughly 47 pounds of electronic waste per person each year, with more than 3 million tons of American e-waste going unrecycled annually, according to the report. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Advocates highlight alternatives to deep-sea mining for NC coast

Advocates for North Carolina's coastal waters are raising concerns about the risks of deep-sea mining and suggesting alternatives. The latest report …

Other efforts in North Carolina aimed at protecting salt marshes include Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order 80, and the state's 2020 Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. (Adobe Stock)

NC counts on salt marshes' role in hurricane protection

Hurricane season is here, and conservationists are shining a light on the role salt marshes play in protecting coastal North Carolina communities…

The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services has determined the real estate value of salt marshes in the state is more than $123 billion, based on their overall contributions to the environment and economy. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina launches five-year plan to restore salt marshes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marshes face multiple threats to their major roles in climate protection and ecosystem health, from rising …

Research indicates the marshes provide an estimated protective value of more than $7,000 per acre, annually, from storm surge and flooding alone. (Davide Bonaldo/Adobe Stock)

New Plan Aims to Preserve NC Coastal Landscapes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marsh are in danger of being drowned out or washed away, but groups around the state are banning together to …

Weather experts predict the upcoming 2022 hurricane season has a 60% chance of producing more storms of higher intensity. (Jillian Cain/Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Money for Improving NC's Coastal Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly signed into law, allocates billions of dollars to fight climate change, including funds specifically for coastal …

The United States has approximately 3.8 million acres of salt marshes, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. (Adobe Stock)

Multi-State Salt Marsh Conservation Planning Under Way

A plan to conserve more than one million acres of salt marsh stretching from North Carolina to northeast Florida is beginning to take shape. …

Open windows in the dock house at Bowen's Island look out on the Folly River and surrounding marsh, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Jason Lee)

A Million Acres of ‘Priceless’ Marshes: At Risk from Rising Tides?

By Sammy Fretwell, Adam Wagner and Anita Lee for McClatchy News and The Raleigh News and Observer, with support fromthe Pulitzer Center on Crisis …

The salt marsh at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., is part of the

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NC Military Bases Use Living Shorelines to Boost Climate Resiliency

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Military facilities in North Carolina are partnering with local coastal communities on natural infrastructure projects to …

Experts at The Pew Charitable Trusts say the sounds, shorelines and marshes of North Carolina's coast form one of the largest estuary systems in the country. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC’s Updated Coastal Habitat Plan Focuses on Seagrass, Local Solutions

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- North Carolina's Marine Fisheries Commission has approved an updated version of the state's Coastal Habitat Protection Plan…

Trawl nets are responsible for the majority of fish and shrimp catches worldwide. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Commission Set to Change Rules on Shrimp Trawling

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to vote at its August meeting on a new amendment pertaining to shrimp …

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order with an 8,000-megawatt target for offshore wind-energy generation by 2040. (agrarmotive/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Expanding Offshore Wind Capacity Good for NC Economy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Groups advocating for clean energy say Gov. Roy Cooper's recent commitment to expand North Carolina's offshore wind capacity will …

According to a 2017 National Renewable Energy Lab report, North Carolina's coast has more offshore wind potential than any other state along the Atlantic coast. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Biden Administration Greenlights Offshore Wind in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina is ramping up plans to lease offshore wind-energy areas to developers, as the Biden administration expresses support …

Salt marshes have disappeared over the past two decades along the Eastern Seaboard and other coastlines because of development, polluted runoff and rising seas. (Adobe Stock)

Military, Government Groups Endorse NC Salt-Marsh Protection Plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A group of military and government leaders has endorsed an initiative to protect the one million acres of salt marsh that …

North Carolina's commercial oyster landings rake in millions of dollars in revenue each year. (Adobe Stock)

Ambitious Vision for NC’s Oysters Outlined in New 5-Year Plan

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- Restoring oysters can boost water quality and offer shoreline protection from storms, and this week the North Carolina Coastal …

The Biden administration says a thriving offshore wind industry will drive new jobs and economic opportunity, on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. (Adobe Stock)

NC Poised for New Jobs, Major Investment in Wind Energy

WILMINGTON, N.C. - North Carolina is poised to be a major player in the wind-power industry, and the Biden administration says it has a $3 billion …

The view of water-surrounded downtown Swansboro, shown here in September 2019 at bottom right, reflects changes caused by Hurricane Florence a year earlier. (Mark Hibbs/SouthWings)

Coastal Resilience Goal of New State Program

By Jennifer Allen for the Coastal Review Online, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for …

In cities like Wilmington, N.C., Black residents are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air particles known as

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Biden Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Environmental Justice

RALEIGH, N.C. -- President Joe Biden will release a slew of executive orders aimed at curbing pollution, conserving natural lands, and addressing …

Climate change could result in the displacement of more than 140 million people - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America - before 2050, according to a 2018 World Bank Group report. (Adobe Stock)

As NC Temps Rise, Climate Migrants Expected to Increase

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Experts say food shortages, housing insecurity and other hardships many North Carolinians are experiencing from the pandemic could …

Wind has the potential to support over 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting services by 2050, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: Most NC Voters Support Offshore Wind, 100% Clean Energy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new poll found more than six in 10 North Carolina voters think the state should be prioritizing wind and solar energy. Nearly 90% …

Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused extensive flooding in North Carolina, with damage that's still being cleaned up in some areas. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Local Journalists Team Up to Cover Climate Change Amid Pandemic

Print version by Dan Barkin Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for The Raleigh News & Observer - North Carolina News Service collaboratio…

States such as North Carolina hope offshore wind farms will create more green jobs. (Adobe Stock)

3-State Pact Jumpstarts NC Offshore Wind Development

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia have formally agreed to collaborate on advancing offshore wind projects and jobs in a …

Elon University student Caitlyn Bullock is one of the co-plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina for mismanagement of coastal marine resources. (Bert Owens)

NC Residents Sue, Arguing State Mismanages Coastal Fisheries

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Residents from 29 counties who enjoy fishing have signed onto a civil-action lawsuit, arguing the state of North Carolina has failed …

Carbon pollution is changing the chemistry, temperature and biology of the ocean, with negative impacts on oyster farms. (The Nature Conservancy)

NC Shellfish Growers on Front Lines of Changes to Climate, Ecosystems

NEWPORT, N.C. -- North Carolina's oyster farmers are grappling with rising seas, ocean acidification and more severe storms - and many now are …

Paddlers make their way along the Waccamaw River picking up trash near Conway, S.C. (Jason Lee/JLEE@THESUNNEWS.COM)

A Flesh-Eating Ocean Bacteria is Killing People in the Carolinas

Print version by Sammy Fretwell, Ali Raj and Sofia Moutinho Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for The State - North Carolina News …

Flounder historically supported North Carolina's most valuable inshore commercial fishery, and remain a major recreational species. (NOAA/Wikimedia Commons)

Critics: NC Would Benefit from Fisheries Management Reform

RALEIGH, N.C. - Southern flounder is critical to the fishing economy of eastern North Carolina, but its population has dwindled to dangerously low …

Catches of key fish stocks off the North Carolina coast have decreased by 75% or more depending on species. (Adobe Stock)

Calls for Reform of “Broken” NC Fisheries Management

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Calls are increasing to merge the state's Division of Marine Fisheries into the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission from …

Hurricane Florence hits the east coast of the United States in September 2018. (NASA/Adobe Stock)

New Report Looks at NC's Emergency Funds for Natural Disasters

RALEIGH, N. C. -- North Carolina saves on average $6.43 in recovery efforts for every dollar spent on natural-disaster mitigation. That's slightly …

Oyster growers say the delicate environment that shellfish need to thrive is being disrupted by climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Southern Oyster Growers Feeling Impacts of Climate Change

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Oyster farmers are grappling with rising seas, ocean acidification, and more severe storms. They met in Wilmington over the …

Coastal US military bases are increasingly vulnerable to flooding from climate change-induced extreme weather. (Adobe Stock)

Military Faces Risks from Rising Seas, Climate Change

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The U.S. Senate soon is expected to consider the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed in the House last week. For the …

Each year, hundreds of thousands of bycatch fish die after being released back into the South Atlantic Ocean. (Adobe Stock)

South Atlantic Fishery Council Requires Catch-and-Release Devices

RALEIGH, N.C. – Fishermen from North Carolina down to Eastern Florida will soon be required to equip their boats with a portable device to help …

A new proposal aims to make North Carolina's shrimp-trawling industry more sustainable by lessening the amount of fish that are caught in shrimp nets as bycatch.

New Shrimp-Trawling Proposal Aims to Protect NC’s Juvenile Fish

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina's Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal that would place certain conditions on …

There are between 134,000 and 200,000 acres of seagrass beds in coastal North Carolina, according to the state's Department of Environmental Quality. (Adobe Stock)

Underwater Seagrass: NC’s Best-Kept Secret for Protecting Shorelines

HAVELOCK, N.C. – At a summit this week on coastal resilience, some scientists point to underwater seagrasses as an important tool for …

Small descending devices can help fish survive the journey from fisherman's hook back into the deep ocean. (Adobe Stock)

Simple Device Could Help Fishermen Save Deep-Dwelling Fish

MOREHEAD, N.C. – Snapper and grouper fishermen would equip their boats with a portable device to help deep-water fish survive when they're …

New legislation would require marine fisheries to let some fish species reach maturity before they can be harvested. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Urges NC Fisheries to “Let 'Em Spawn,” Revive Dwindling Industry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina's fish stocks are dwindling, and new legislation aims to increase the populations of certain fish species …

In the eight counties along North Carolina's seacoast, more than 33,000 people were employed in the tourism industry, generating more than $295 million in state and local revenue, according to the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. (Outerbanksfishing.org)

Bernhardt Confirmation Raises Concerns Over Offshore Drilling

CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. — The Senate vote set this week on the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary is making waves in North …

The North Carolina Coastal Federation has joined several other groups in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to block seismic surveys from beginning in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. (daveynin/Flickr)

Offshore Drilling Plan on Atlantic Coast Expected Soon

WANCHESE, N.C. – A proposed federal plan from President Donald Trump to allow offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast is expected to be …

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts believe that if oyster beds once in place in the coastal waters of New York had been there during Hurricane Sandy, much of the damage could have been reduced. (The Nature Conservancy)

Oysters Could Help Protect NC from Hurricane Season

WANCHESE, N.C. – North Carolina's coastal residents are breathing a sigh of relief after Hurricane Chris took a turn away from the Atlantic …

Communities such as Manteo see flooding even during less significant storm events, such as last month's Nor'easter. (The Nature Conservancy)

FEMA Flood Maps Lead to Potential Disaster, Say NC Coastal Leaders

NAGS HEAD, N.C. – As the Trump administration looks at plans to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program, many of North Carolina's coastal …

Drilling off the coast of North Carolina is predicted to harm wildlife and discourage the tourism and fishing industry. (Michael Herzog/flickr)

Opponents: Offshore Drilling Opens Pandora's Box for NC Coast

BEAUFORT, N.C. – On Thursday, the Trump administration announced plans to open up Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf and Arctic waters to offshore …

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation wants regulations to be based on science when it comes to managing state fisheries. (M Fletcher/flickr)

NC Sportsmen Fishing for Better Solution to Marine Conservation

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- For two decades, North Carolina has been counting on a fishery management system that sportsmen and conservationists say is …

Reefmakers are made of limestone, which provides a porous yet durable substance to place along the tidal coastline. (Atlantic Reefmaker)

NC Shore Getting Help from Newest Technology

OUTER BANKS, N.C. -- Erosion of North Carolina's shoreline is a growing problem, as development, boating traffic and extreme weather deplete the …

Juvenile fish often are caught up in shrimp trawler nets off of the North Carolina coast. (flickr.com/mwms1916)

Marine Regulators Fishing for Public Comment on New Rules

NEW BERN, N.C. – Wildlife advocates say the state's fish population is in jeopardy because some species are getting caught up – literally …

Currently millions of fish and other marine life are caught up in the nets of industrial shrimp trawlers in North Carolina waters. (Roger Sanderson/flickr.com)

Fishing for Solution: Group Petitions State to Protect Fisheries in NC

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The North Carolina Wildlife Federation in a formal petition filed Wednesday asked the state Marine Fisheries Commission to …

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation highlights the vulnerabilities of North Carolina's coastline if global warming and sea level rise aren't addressed. (Jon Cain/flickr.com)

Report: Rising Tides, Rising Concerns Over Sea Level Rise

OUTERBANKS, N.C. — With 300 miles of shoreline, North Carolina is one of the states most vulnerable to sea-level rise. According to a report …

Offshore wind farms are likely along the coast of North Carolina, now that the federal government will make leases available. (morguefile.com)

Winds of Change: NC Offshore Wind Advances

WILMINGTON, N.C. - North Carolina is poised to become the next frontier for offshore wind energy. Late last week the U.S. Department of the Interior …

Protections have been put in place to protect krill (seen here) and other forage fish, in Mid-Atlantic waters off the U.S. coast. (Tom Cliftonflickr.com)

Fishing for Protection: Move to Secure NC Atlantic Fish Population

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The health of many fish off North Carolina's coast could improve, following the approval of a plan this week by the Mid-…

The Obama administration has abandoned plans to lease parts of the Outer Continental Shelf off the Atlantic Coast to offshore drilling companies. (SirDouglas/morguefile)

Obama Administration Drops Plans for Drilling Off NC Coast

OUTER BANKS, N.C. - Along with a breath of ocean air, residents and businesses along the North Carolina coast might be breathing a sigh of relief…

Drought is one of North Carolina's vulnerabilities when it comes to climate change, according to a recent report. Credit: inkogutto/morguefile.com

NC Tourism Economy Could Dry Up with Climate Change

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina's tourism industry generated $20 billion last year alone, and a new report predicts natural disasters, largely …

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NC: Oceans