Walker College of Business

Okmyung Bin, East Carolina University, Chris Dumas, University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Ben Poulter, Duke University and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research; and John Whitehead, Appalachian State University

Global warming is projected to have significant impacts on North Carolina coastal resources as sea level rises and hurricanes become more intense. Extensive development in the coastal zone in recent decades has put more people and property at risk for these impacts. In this context, a scientific study was undertaken by researchers at four North Carolina universities to consider three important aspects of the coastal economy and their vulnerability to a changing climate: the impacts of sea-level rise on the coastal real estate market, the impacts of sea-level rise on coastal recreation and tourism, and the impacts of stronger tropical storms and hurricanes on business activity.

The study used a range of moderate assumptions, not best- or worst-case scenarios. Its focus was only the specific economic impacts mentioned above, and as such, it does not attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of all potential impacts, such as the possible loss of species or the natural ecosystems in which they live.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Commission for Energy Policy.

External Links

• WRAL: N.C. Beaches Eroding 2 Feet Per Year, Study Finds
• Raleigh News and Observer: Climate change could hit homes, beaches, business
• Google News: Economists: Climate Change Will Cost NC Billions
• ASU Press Release: New Study Finds Carolina Coastal Economy Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise
• Sen. Elizabeth Dole: Needed: Cap-and-trade plan and here.

Downloads

• Full Report PDF 2.3 mb
• Summary Brochure PDF 4.3 mb
• Measuring the Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on Coastal Real Estate in North Carolina, Okmyung Bin, ECU Center for Natural Hazards Center Working Paper, 2008 [PDF 976 KB] [Data]
• Measuring the Economic Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on Marine Recreational Shore Fishing in North Carolina, John C. Whitehead and Chris Dumas, ECU Center for Natural Hazards Center Working Paper, 2008 [PDF 321 KB] [Data]
• Presentation PDF 3.9 mb
• NCSU Presentation, September 28, 2007, PPT 6.8 mb
• Climate Change and the Economy: Expected Impacts and their Implications PDF 3.99 mb