SAME HR understands that our waters are rising. Sea level has risen more than 1 ½ feet in the last century and it is projected to rise an additional 1 ½ feet by 2050. Our region is experiencing more flooding events and more costly damages from flooding. Our communities are at risk. But with the risk comes opportunity, to prepare for the future and participate in the adaptation and resilience economy. This work – such as green infrastructure, flood mitigation, living shorelines and pollution control measures — is expected to contribute to economic growth in CoVa, generating $200 million annually over the next decade.
The Coastal Virginia Adaptation & Resilience Consortium (CoVA A&R) was created by the Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR) at Old Dominion University (ODU), to help business communities across Hampton Roads, the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck to prepare, adapt and thrive in a changing environment. SAME Hampton Roads has been a member and partner since its inception. The Consortium brings experts from ODU together with business, industry and government leaders to promote practical solutions that mitigate the risks of coastal flooding, connect businesses and organizations with funding, and grow the resilience economy. SAME recognizes this unique risk landscape and is proactively taking the lead to showcase what private and public entities are doing to protect their critical infrastructure. Our goal is to raise the standard for collaboration and cooperation on the state as well as the national level.