WINTER 2025
Impactful Climate Solutions
for Nature and People
Letter from the Director
Hi Folks,
It has been an eventful few months for the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience and we are sure for you too.
We have dealt with significant disasters here at home with the extreme waves that tore the end off the Santa Cruz Wharf on December 24 and then the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Across the country, many communities are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. And these are uncertain and unsettling times for our teams, colleagues and collaborators. In my opinion, the breaking of commitments to federal employees, agencies, partners and communities is also a disaster, and we are acting with approaches informed by the 3Rs of disaster: Response, Recovery and Restoration.
Much of our team is just back from the National Practice Forum on Nature-Based Solutions that we helped to co-lead at National Academy of Sciences in Irvine, CA. The discussions we had at the forum were more timely than ever. The link includes videos for each session.
Topics like working with nature to reduce climate risks and costs, raising awareness about the escalating financial impacts of climate change, and protecting marginalized communities from its worst effects were particularly powerful.
The Center has been busy with our own research and supporting various projects across campus. Read on to learn more about our recent work including innovative approaches for communicating climate risk; the cost effectiveness of using coral reefs to protect communities, and our work with the World Bank that shows how mangroves could save communities almost $1 Trillion with flood protection benefits.
Closer to home, our wave models and visualizations are being used to support decision makers to adapt to our changing climate. Check out our game-engine driven visuals of the wharf warping storm on 12/24/24 on YouTube. As a surfer I find it cool to see how realistically the model captures wave conditions I have experienced at Steamer Lane.
Thank you for joining us in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
– Michael W. Beck, Director
Project updates
UC Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay Aquarium lead collaboration on kelp conservation
In May 2024, UC Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Aquarium partnered to host a workshop, focusing on bridging the gap between scientific research and the practical application of resilience concepts. These efforts are co-led by Malin Pinsky, who is a principal investigator with the Center.
UCSC artist Micha Cárdenas sounds the alarm on climate catastrophe in Toronto exhibition
Micha Cárdenas, an artist and Center Principal Investigator, is sounding the warning about climate catastrophe tipping points in her new high-profile exhibition Probability Engine: Atlantic Overturning, which opened on October 5 at Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s all-night celebration of art.
Scientists collaborate on immersive technology to address climate challenges
The new project—cosponsored by CCCR and a team of scientists at UC San Diego—aims to bridge the communication gap by working with domain experts, community members, and policy makers. The project is supported by Dr. Jessica Kendall-Bar (UCSC ‘22), an Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Spotlight: The business case for saving coral reefs | Grist
Borja G. Reguero, a principal investigator with the Center, and Center Director Michael W. Beck spoke with Grist earlier this year to discuss the relevant science surrounding coral reefs in relation to protective practices. The efforts—in tandem with work by FEMA, the Department of Defense, and Swiss Re and Munich Re—could lead to larger conservation efforts to create high-performance seawalls.
Mangroves save $855 billion in flood protection globally
UC Santa Cruz researchers highlight critical role of mangroves in coastal resilience. Co-led by Center director Michael W. Beck, the research was featured in the 2024 edition of World Bank’s The Changing Wealth of Nations.
Investing in Nature for Sustainability
In Microsoft’s latest white paper, Heather Tallis, a senior fellow at the Center and co-authors discuss the opportunities and challenges of corporate investments in nature and reflect on learnings from Microsoft’s sustainability journey.
UC Santa Cruz explores water harvesting from fog: a unique blend of art and science
Santa Cruz residents know fog as a familiar coastal companion. Led by Peter Weiss-Penzias, a faculty researcher in biological sciences and chemistry, and Art Professor Jennifer Parker, the “Fog Tree Harvester” project is reimagining fog as a valuable water resource.
UC Santa Cruz Launches New Professional Development Course in Coastal Climate Resilience
UC Santa Cruz is excited to announce the launch of a new professional development course in Coastal Climate Resilience. This comprehensive 8-week virtual course, complemented by a 2.5-day in-person workshop, will begin on September 6, 2024.
CENTER IN THE NEWS
Op-Ed: There’s one big climate fight that California is losing | The Los Angeles Times
We’re overdue to adapt to the destructive power of waves and water on our beaches, piers, roads, homes, businesses, rivers and levees. These are the new realities of our climate.
Stuck in the muck: Scientists study carbon trapped by Elkhorn Slough | Monterey Herald
Salt marshes, which have historically been drained and turned into farms or land ripe for real estate development, are emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against global warming.
China is Ready to Take Advantage of Trump Trashing Clean Energy | Rolling Stone
“[Trump’s win] signals to not only Europe but the rest of the world that we’re an unreliable partner in multilateral negotiations — not only in the climate context but much more broadly,” said Sikina Jinnah, Professor of Environmental Studies and Associate Director of the Center for Reimagining Leadership.
Raging Waves Batter California’s Coast and Its Beloved Piers | The New York Times
An increasingly ferocious and volatile surf is raising questions about the future of the state’s piers, which have defined the coastline for generations. Michael W. Beck, Director of the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, said that big wave events have increased significantly over decades.