North Carolina is home to the largest estuarine system on the U.S. Atlantic coast, lined by barrier islands and more than 2,300 square miles of coastal land vulnerable to rising seas. Dramatic news coverage shows Outer Banks homes being swept out to sea.
However, these stories are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of sea level rise on the state and its most vulnerable citizens and ecosystems.
During a monthlong immersive reporting course at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina, undergraduate and graduate students in a science journalism course reported local stories focused on sea level rise in partnership with North Carolina-focused journalistic nonprofit The Assembly.
Their stories approach sea level rise and resilience from new perspectives, from investigating the language we use to talk about climate change Down East to seeing changes in coastal ecosystems over time through the lens of duck hunters. This series takes a deep dive into what it means to be resilient, from the health consequences of flooding and mold to Indigenous-led environmental stewardship.
