Under the weather: Annual Delaware summit to address need to adapt to changing climate
Under the weather: Annual Delaware summit to address need to adapt to changing climate
Whale washes up near Pigeon Point in New Castle County
Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute Executive Director Suzanne Thurman confirmed the creature is a whale, likely a fin whale.
This winter, Delaware residents got a glimpse of how shifting weather patterns could reshape the state. On Wednesday, they’ll have the opportunity to join state leaders and environmental experts to discuss solutions at the 2025 Resilient and Sustainable Communities League Summit in Dover.
The summit, themed “AIMing for Action: Adapting, Innovating and Mitigating the Impacts of Delaware’s Changing Climate,” will bring together resilience practitioners, elected officials, and community members on Mar. 5, at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus.
Climate changes expected to impact Delaware
The timing is critical. This winter, unusual storm patterns brought more snow to southern Delaware than the rest of the state, deviating from the typical west-to-east trajectory. While years like this are rare, according to the National Weather Service, these changes highlight the shifting climate dynamics Delaware faces.
As the nation’s lowest-lying state, Delaware is especially vulnerable to flooding. With rising sea levels and more frequent storms, both coastal and inland communities face growing risks — threatening infrastructure, homes and daily life.
According to Danielle Swallow, coastal hazards specialist at Delaware Sea Grant and co-chair of the RASCL Steering Committee, the summit will give participants direct access to experts who track Delaware’s evolving climate and weather patterns. She emphasized that the event will highlight both the urgent need for climate resilience action and showcase several groundbreaking initiatives currently underway in the state.
The summit will feature presentations on:
- Delaware’s changing climate projections
- Community resilience and sustainability strategies
- Local success stories in climate adaptation
- Climate Central’s new FloodVision tool demonstration
Greg Patterson, secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, will deliver keynote remarks.
A collaborative effort
RASCL, a network of 28 organizations including state agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions, works to strengthen Delaware’s resilience to environmental changes. The organization provides technical expertise and support to communities across the state, helping them adapt to and prepare for climate impacts.
The summit will also present its annual Community Champion Award, following last year’s recognition of Kathleen Lock of the Bay Beach Association and Stacey Henry of the Delaware Resilience Hub.
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How to attend
Registration for the summit is required, with a $15 fee that includes breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, visit www.derascl.org/summit.
The event is supported by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary through EPA funding and DNREC. For additional details, contact Kate Layton at klayton@delawareestuary.org or (302) 255-6878.
You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.