News and Events

  • December 3, 2019

    When Can Decision Analysis Improve Climate Adaptation Planning?

    A paper by MARISA team members Rui Shi and Benjamin Hobbs proposes two procedures to identify climate adaptation decision problems that would most benefit from using formal decision analysis methods. Careful consideration of uncertainty and flexibility may result in better decisions but requires additional effort. These procedures can help decisionmakers understand in which situations a comprehensive analysis is worthwhile and in which situations a simple analysis should suffice. Download the paper [PDF].

  • A sign in Spanish advertising a New York City cooling center. Screencap from a NOAA video on Responding to the risk of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.

    April 29, 2019

    Responding to the Risk of Extreme Heat in New York City

    RAND’s Jaime Madrigano, working with the Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast (CCRUN), partnered with the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and others to develop a heat vulnerability index (HVI) for NYC and address the impacts of extreme heat on city residents. The HVI informed many of the initiatives in Cool Neighborhoods NYC, the mayor’s plan to protect against the worst effects of rising temperatures from climate change. Watch a video on the project or read the report.

  • March 27, 2018

    Adapting to Sea Level Rise in Rural Coastal Communities

    What are the effects of sea level rise on rural coastal communities? And as sea level rises, how will coastal communities adapt to the growing challenge of marsh migration and increased flood frequency? MARISA scientists Pamela Braff and Carl Hershner spoke to the Daily Press about the impacts of recurrent flooding and sea level rise on roads and buildings in coastal localities. Read the article.

  • December 14, 2018

    The Growing Threat of Urban Flooding: A National Challenge

    A new report shows that urban stormwater flooding is “a growing source of significant economic loss, social disruption, and housing inequality”. To find out more about what issues affect urban flood risk reduction, critical challenges, and the authors’ recommendations, read the full report.

  • December 11, 2018

    The Fourth National Climate Assessment

    The Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) was released on November 23, 2018. This report addresses how climate change will affect, and is currently affecting, Americans’ physical, social, and economic well-being. Chapters of interest for the Mid-Atlantic region and Chesapeake Bay watershed are: Chapter 18: Northeast, Chapter 19: Southeast, Chapter 8: Coastal Effects, and Chapter 11: Built Environment, Urban Systems, and Cities.

  • Birds on a sandbank in Jamaica Bay, New York

    October 8, 2018

    Building Resilience in an Urban Coastal Environment

    What are the potential effects of climate change and sea level rise on flood risk, ecosystems, and water quality in New York City's Jamaica Bay? How can flood risk be reduced while also improving water quality, restoring habitat, and improving resilience to extreme weather events? Read the report »

  • Aerial view of Miami, Florida

    October 8, 2018

    Adapting to a Changing Climate in Southeast Florida

    Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward counties are vulnerable to flooding and intrusion of saltwater into drinking water. These risks are driven by sea level rise, changes in precipitation, and urban development. How can the region adapt? Read the report »

  • Pittsburgh city skyline

    October 1, 2018

    Robust Stormwater Management in the Pittsburgh Region

    The city of Pittsburgh and its surrounding region face significant—and potentially growing—stormwater management challenges. Analysis can help better understand the system's vulnerabilities and identify solutions. Read the report »

  • Debra Knopman

    January 24, 2018

    MARISA Co-Principal Investigator Debra Knopman briefs Congress on Infrastructure Policy Options

    An infrastructure bill is on the agenda for Congress, but what problems would it fix? In this RAND Congressional Briefing, Debra Knopman discusses policies that promote and deter investment and maintenance of water and transportation infrastructure. Watch the briefing »

  • November 30, 2017

    An Ambitious Plan to Stop the Ground from Sinking

    Southern Chesapeake Bay region Hampton Roads is tackling land subsidence, while also mitigating risks of sea level rise, through an innovative water treatment project. An article by BBC Future looked at the project, along with others from around the world, that are using innovative ideas to tackle both problems. Read the story »

  • May 23, 2017

    Registrations are now open for Sustainable Climate Risk Management Summer School

    MARISA is supporting the 5th Annual Summer School on Sustainable Climate Risk Management held at Penn State University from July 30 – August 4. Registration is open now through May 30. Find out more »

  • May 23, 2017

    MARISA team at the 2017 National Adaptation Forum

    MARISA Advisory Committee member Kristin Baja was a keynote speaker at the forum in St Paul, Minnesota, from May 9 to 11, and Co-Principal Investigator Jordan Fischbach presented recent findings on stormwater management under future climate scenarios for the City of Pittsburgh. Dozens of stakeholders, decision-makers, researchers, and fellow RISA teams were able to meet MARISA team members and discuss ideas about the program at the co-sponsored MARISA-RAND Corporation booth. Find out more »