Study in Salem cites value of preparing for climate change

The North Shore city of Salem, with roughly 14 miles of coastline, recently received a report analyzing its vulnerability to climate change.

The 51-page report, “Ready for Tomorrow: The City of Salem Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan,” projects a significant increase in very hot days, more frequent major storms, and, by the end of this century, a cumulative sea level rise of more than 9 feet.

The report cites a study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicating that each dollar spent on hazard mitigation saves roughly $4 in future spending on disaster recovery.

The city has received $275,000 in grants from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to pursue several possible mitigation techniques, all of which fall into the category of “coastal green infrastructure,” according to Salem Planning Director Lynn Duncan.

One involves enhancing salt marshes with natural vegetation that would serve as a buffer and limit erosion from storm surges. Another possible approach involves the seeding of oysters or mussels to create a natural barrier reef at the site of a waterfront camp for children.

A third technique under consideration would use natural-fiber blankets or other biodegradable materials to forestall coastal erosion at the site of the Pioneer Village museum and the city’s only public swimming pool.

Mayor Kim Driscoll cited a number of steps that Salem has taken to reduce its carbon footprint, such as a free bike-share program and curbside composting.

“But the reality is that overall climate change is happening,” Driscoll said in a statement. “And because it is happening, we must be ready for the consequences that will ensue.”

The report, prepared with the help of the Cambridge-based engineering firm CDM Smith, describes cities and towns as playing crucial roles in adapting to climate change because of their responsibility for local planning, building codes and emergency response.

The “Ready for Tomorrow” study can be downloaded at www.salem.com by clicking on “Studies and Reports” and then “Vulnerability Assessment & Action Plan.”