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Climate Change Program for the Hudson River Estuary

Flooding at Kingston waterfront
Climate change is increasing the risk of flooding
in shoreline communities (C. Bowser)

The climate of the Hudson Valley is changing. Climate scientists have documented changes in our regional climate that are expected to continue and the ways these changes will affect natural and human communities in our region. Changes in the climate can affect both ground and water resources including; the health and productivity of our forests, the future of our tidal wetland communities, our drinking water, recreational opportunities, transportation systems, and coastal infrastructure.

The amount of climate change we see will depend on energy choices we make today and over the next decade. The Estuary Program is working with the New York State Climate Change Office and regional partners to help communities understand the sources and projected impacts of climate change and to coordinate regional efforts to respond. While the Hudson Valley alone cannot determine the climate future, our actions can be a model for other regions of the state as we develop practical ways to limit emissions of greenhouse gases, and long term strategies to respond to a changing climate.

Climate Change Outreach Programs

The Estuary Program offers several outreach programs addressing climate change in the in the Hudson Valley.

  • The Climate Change Network offers an excellent opportunity for agency staff, organizations, businesses, and municipalities to stay up to date on the latest in climate science and policy, learn about upcoming events and funding opportunities, work collaboratively on local climate initiatives, and network with other organizations in the Hudson Valley that are working on climate change. Email kamarcel@gw.dec.state.ny.us to join the Network.
  • Community Presentations: Estuary Program staff and partners are available to give presentations in communities throughout the Hudson River Estuary Watershed. Custom presentations can also be developed to meet your local government or organization's needs. Contact Kristin Marcell at kamarcel@gw.dec.state.ny.us for more information.

Additional Resources

The descriptions below outline some available information on the changes we can expect to see in the Hudson Valley and on state and regional initiatives to limit emissions and adapt to climate change. For additional information on the topics described below, please use the links in the menu on the right side of this page.

Projected Impacts of Climate Change in the Hudson Valley

  • Climate Change and the Hudson Valley, December 4, 2006: In December 2006, DEC organized a conference, Climate Change in New York's Hudson Valley, for climate scientists to share with local decision makers information about the changes we can expect to see in our region in the coming decades.
  • Northeast Regional Climate Impacts Assessment: This set of reports produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists outlines projected climate change and the impacts of climate change in the US Northeast. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.
Students holding a catfish
Estuary Program and the NYS
Climate Change Office offer information
and activities for students. (C. Bowser)
  • New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Climate Assessment and Action Plan: This report summarizes projected climate change in the New York City metro region and outlines the strategies that the DEP plans to use to prepare for a changing climate. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.
  • Climate Change for Students and Educators: This site has a listing of climate change information and activities geared for students.

Limiting Emissions

  • New York State Office of Climate Change: The New York State Office of Climate Change coordinates closely with other DEC programs and New York State agencies to develop programs and policies that mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help New York communities and individuals adapt to climate change.
  • The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is a regional agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Under the RGGI agreement, the governors of 10 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States have committed to cap the amount of carbon dioxide (or CO2, the principal greenhouse gas) that power plants are allowed to emit.
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): This state agency has numerous programs that offer financial and technical assistance to businesses, municipalities, and homeowners to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.
  • The Climate Registry: The Climate Registry is a system for greenhouse gas emissions reporting that provides accurate, complete, consistent, and verified emissions data. This new program allows members to independently verify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis using the Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.
  • Cities for Climate Protection Campaign: ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: This not for profit program works with municipalities to help them measure greenhouse gas emissions, set a goal to reduce them, and implement measures to limit emissions. It also helps guide communities interested in planning for climate adaptation. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.

Adapting to Climate Change in the Hudson Valley

Iona Marsh
Wetlands help to absorb floodwaters
(C.Bowser)

The Estuary Program is partnering with regional scientists to provide technical guidance to local, regional, and state policymakers on existing and emerging scientific information on the effects of climate change, natural and human communities at greatest risk, and strategies to adapt to climate change.

  • New York State Sea Level Rise Task Force: The Sea Level Rise Task Force is charged with assessing anticipated impacts of sea level rise in New York and recommending protective and adaptive measures in a report to the Governor by December 31st, 2009.
  • Rising Waters: The Nature Conservancy is spearheading a collaborative effort with the Hudson River Estuary Program, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cornell University, the Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and Sustainable Hudson Valley to engage scientists and regional stakeholders in a long term planning process to outline key regional threats associated with climate change in the Valley, how they will change over time, and natural and human communities at highest risk. For more information, please use Offsite Links in the menu on the right side of this page.

Communities Taking Action in the Hudson Valley

Is your community taking action? Find out and read more about communities that are taking steps to limit emissions and adapt to climate change in the Hudson Valley using the Offsite Links on the right side of this page.

Fact Sheet: Climate Change in the Hudson Valley

The climate of the Hudson Valley is changing. Climate scientists have documented actual and expected changes in our regional climate and how these changes will affect natural and human communities in our region.

Why is the climate changing?

As the sun warms the Earth, the Earth radiates heat. Certain gases, called greenhouse gases (GHGs), trap some of this heat in the lower atmosphere. Some human activities, like burning fossil fuels, release GHGs into the atmosphere and intensify the greenhouse effect, warming the earth. This warming, called global warming, is affecting long-term weather patterns, or climates, around the world and in the Hudson Valley.

How much has the climate changed in our region?

  • New York State's average temperature has gone up nearly 2ºF in 30 years.
  • Winter average temperatures have warmed even faster, 5ºF in 30 years.
  • Bloom dates of many plant species are 4-8 days earlier on average than they were in the early 1970s.
  • Average rainfall is increasing, and days with snow cover are decreasing.
  • Sea level in New York Harbor is 15 inches higher today than it was in 1850.

What kinds of changes can we expect in the future in the Hudson Valley?

  • Shorter, warmer winters and longer, hotter summers will affect local farmers and winter recreation, and may increase diseases carried by insect populations as they shift northward.
  • Rising sea levels and strong storms will cause localized floods and threaten shoreline infrastructure and development.
  • Rising summer air temperatures will increase pollution-related asthma and heat exhaustion, especially in urban areas.
  • Invasive species and nuisance plants will thrive under elevated atmospheric CO2 levels.

How can we respond to climate change?

The severity of climate change we see will depend on energy choices we make today and over the next decade. The Hudson River Estuary Program is working with NYSDEC's Climate Change Office and regional partners to help communities understand the sources and projected impacts of climate change and to coordinate regional responses.

How can local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

  • Organize a global warming task force and complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. For more information use the Offsite links to ICLEI Local Governments for and The Climate Registry on the right side of this page.
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money by improving the energy efficiency of municipal buildings and operations
  • Install solar, wind or other renewable energy technologies in power facilities
  • Add hybrid and more fuel-efficient vehicles to government fleet
  • Reduce solid waste through recycling programs

How can local governments adapt to a changing climate?

  • Identify potential impacts (e.g., increased risk of flooding)
  • Develop emergency management teams and improve emergency communication
  • Keep development out of flood-prone areas
  • Manage stormwater to reduce flooding and find alternatives to paved surfaces
  • Conserve wetlands and forests that absorb floodwaters and recharge groundwater

What can I do to help?

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money by improving energy efficiency
  • Walk, bike or carpool to work or on errands
  • Buy Energy Star appliances
  • Support green power. Check your utility's website for more information
  • Get involved in your local government! Organize a community presentation or event on climate change

How can I learn more about climate change in the Hudson Valley?

Contact:
Kristin Marcell, Special Projects Coordinator
NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, 21 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY 12561
kamarcel@gw.dec.state.ny.us
845-256-3017


More about Climate Change Program for the Hudson River Estuary:

  • Hudson Valley Climate Change Conference, December 4, 2006 - On December 4, 2006 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through its Climate Change Policy Office and Hudson River Estuary Program, held a one-day conference for local decision-makers to discuss climate change issues and their potential impacts on the Hudson River Valley.