Building a Resilient Scituate: Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan

March 2018 Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan
Prepared for the Town of Scituate by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Climate change is the most compelling environmental, economic, and social issue of our time. Scituate, known for its numerous barrier beaches, prominent bedrock headlands, and rich cultural history, is one of the most vulnerable regions in Massachusetts. It is routinely hit hard with coastal storms causing massive storm surge and inundation with even just a lunar high tide. Projected sea level rise and changes in intensity of storm and precipitation events compel the need to assess the vulnerability of Scituate’s people and places as well as plan for protecting its future. This report summarizes the latest climate risks, evaluates the vulnerability of Scituate’s critical infrastructure and resources, and creates an action for incremental steps toward greater resilience and community vibrancy in an uncertain future.

Senior Environmental Planner
Darci Schofield

GIS/Data Analysis
Darci Schofield
Eliza Wallace