A New Coast - Classroom Discussion Questions

A New Coast

Strategies for Responding to Devastating Storms and Rising Seas

Classroom Discussion Questions

General Questions 1) What did you like best about this book, and what did you like least?

2) Were you surprised by any information or proposals in the book?

3) If you were interviewing the author, what questions would you ask?

4) Did you have a favorite quotation from the book? Why did this quote stand out?

5) What questions do you still have about coastal storms and sea level rise?

Questions on Information, Ideas, and Proposals 6) What part of the book (e.g., science, impacts, programs, state and local choices, national campaign) was most or least interesting to you?

7) Do you think that the randomness of coastal storms or the gradual rise in sea levels over many years causes people to dismiss or defer proposals to prepare for these risks?

8) Do you think that public perception of the risks of more severe storms and rising seas has changed in the last few years? Did this book change your opinion of these risks?

9) Did this book convince you that a national program to respond to coastal storms and rising seas is needed?

10) Did this book convince you that new measures are needed to limit development in areas at risk of rising seas?

11) The book proposes that the Federal Flood Insurance Program be phased out over thirty years for properties at risk of inundation by rising seas. Is a phase out of federal insurance necessary to avoid unfair costs to taxpayers, or is it unfair to these homeowners? Is thirty years too long or too short a phase-out period?

12) The book points to the future costs of removing abandoned structures in areas that are inundated by rising seas. Do you agree that new development in areas at risk of rising seas should post a bond to pay these future decommissioning costs?

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13) The book proposes that states take the lead in working with local communities to develop storm and sea level rise response plans and that the federal government fund and approve these plans. Do you agree that federal funding is needed and that state plans should meet federal approval standards?

14) What do you think about the choice that coastal communities and homeowners face of whether to rebuild in place after a storm or relocate to safer ground?

15) Should governments be required to compensate coastal property owners if they take property that will be inundated by rising seas?

16) Should local, state, and national governments help communities at risk of rising seas move to safer ground?

17) What steps might governments take to reduce the psychological impacts of community relocation?

18) The book describes the potential competition among communities, infrastructure, and ecological systems for optimal upland areas for relocation. Is the proposed coordination among national and state plans sufficient to address this problem?

19) Social justice issues, such as fair treatment of low income and other at-risk populations, are discussed in the book. Do you know of places where this is a concern? Do you agree that plans to address storm and sea level rise need to give this issue special attention?

20) Were you convinced by arguments in the book that local business leaders and professionals, like realtors and developers, should help communities develop plans to respond to storms and rising seas?

21) Do you agree with the proposal to use federal funds to stabilize the value of coastal property to help coastal homeowners avoid major losses in property values?

22) If you owned coastal property, what would you do differently after reading this book?

23) Did this book convince you to take any actions to prepare for more severe storms and rising seas? What actions did you take or do you plan to take?

24) Would you write to your representatives in Congress to support legislation to establish a

national program to respond to more severe storms and rising seas?

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