San Rafael, CA – Visitors to the Larkspur Landing area on June 9 will get to view a dramatic illustration of how projected sea level rise will affect that busy area in the years to come.
Eventually, key pieces of transportation infrastructure such as the Larkspur Ferry terminal will be underwater because of sea level rise (Maggie Miller photo).
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Marin Country Mart’s Saturday Farmer’s Market, planners with the County of Marin’s Community Development Agency (CDA) and the City of Larkspur will host Shrinking Shores, an informational event about sea level rise. Signs will be posted showing the projected levels of bay water in 2030, 2050, and 2100 to demonstrate how commerce, transportation, emergency response rates and other facets of life in the area will be impacted by future flooding. Visitors can learn about adaptation measures by spinning the Wheel of Floods, find out more about the process of planning for a coordinated response to sea level rise, and learn about how residents can adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Shrinking Shores is a statewide annual campaign organized by Marin CDA. This year, simultaneous events like the one in Larkspur will be hosted along the north-central California coast and the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Marin CDA is hosting with the City of Larkspur, and other Shrinking Shores events will be hosted by San Mateo County and the cities of Hayward, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz. At each one, the local governments will provide a physical demonstration that illustrates the dramatic impacts of rising sea levels through the end of the century. Rising waters, often in the form of king tides, are already threatening homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure statewide, nationwide, and worldwide.
Marin County already floods during winter storms. County agencies are preparing communities to meet the challenges by assessing what is vulnerable to rising tides, creating opportunities for residents to learn from the experts, and by educating residents about the expected environmental changes.
“The Larkspur Landing area has a lot of foot traffic, businesses, and busy streets, so it’s a very good location for us to convey our message,” said Planner Leslie Lacko. “Imagine if we lose our ferry terminal and the infrastructure around it to sea level rise. Planning resilient shorelines today reduces the costs and increases the effectiveness of adapting to an uncertain future. There is still time to prevent worst-case scenarios if people get involved.”
All Shrinking Shores events include information on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Visitors will learn about the Drawdown: Marin initiative, a comprehensive, science-based campaign designed to slow the impacts of climate change and reduce carbon footprints. The County’s Sustainability Team will provide details on rebate and direct-install programs that can help Marin residents save energy, water, and money in their homes during Earth Day Stinson Beach. Anyone can sign up for a no-cost “Green House Call” to get an assessment on energy and water use. There is much more information for residents on the Sustainability Team’s “Programs for Residents” webpage.
To get a feel for the Shrinking Shores campaign, view a 30-second promotional video. Follow the County’s sea-level rise programs at www.marinSLR.org, on Facebook and on Twitter.