Delaware Governor Jack Markell created the Cabinet Committee on Climate and Resiliency under Executive Order 41 in 2013. The CCoCAR was made up of members from 11 state departments and agencies, all gathered to address the causes and consequences of climate change in Delaware.
The group is tasked with coming up with recommendations to cut back on greenhouse emissions, prevent and minimize flood risk due to rising sea levels and generally increase the state's resiliency to climate change effects.
The CCoCAR recently finished their work, releasing a new Climate Framework for Delaware report. Climate Framework was developed with the help of the best research available in Delaware, including the Delaware Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and the Climate Change Impact Assessment. It includes recommendations on three technical workgroups: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, Flood Avoidance and Climate Change Adaptation.
"The Climate Framework for Delaware provides a path forward based on sound science that will ensure Delaware is resilient to the changes we are already experiencing," explained David Small, CCoCAR chair and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control secretary.
The recommendations the CCoCAR made in their report include targeting a 30 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to baseline levels in 2008; developing technical tools and guidance to improve infrastructure design; and improving how public safety and health needs are addressed.
Delaware has been working hard to address climate change over the last six years. As a result, it was able to cut back the most on emissions compared to other states from 2008 to 2011 and have increased its reliance on solar technology, increasing deployment from 2008 to today from 2 megawatts to 60 megawatts. The state has also been investing in improving energy efficiency throughout and implementing enhancements in its transportation policy.
Having the lowest land elevation average out of all the states in the country, Delaware is extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels brought about by climate change. It doesn't help that a significant number of the state's population have taken up residence along a shoreline 381 miles long. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events also increase health risks, most especially in Delaware's vulnerable citizens.
The Climate Framework for Delaware has been posted online and is available for public comment until May 30. Markell thanked the CCoCAR for their work on preparing the report, reiterating that addressing climate change today does not only affect Delaware in the present but will also impart lasting advantages that will benefit future generations in the state.
