Baltimore is restoring wetlands to protect neighborhoods from climate threats

Baltimore is revitalizing South Baltimore's wetlands to strengthen defenses against extreme weather and climate change, while creating new green spaces for the community.

Aman Azhar reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Baltimore’s $11.5 million wetlands project aims to restore 11 acres by 2025, part of a larger 50-acre restoration plan along the Patapsco River.
Wetlands will reduce storm surges, filter water and provide habitats, benefiting vulnerable neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.
The restoration project is funded through federal initiatives and local sources, including the nearby Horseshoe Casino.

Key quote:

“We’ve changed so much of the earth that we really need to understand how nature works in our presence.”

— Dr. Eric Schott, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Why this matters:

Restoring wetlands provides natural defenses against climate change, particularly for underserved communities in Baltimore. Wetlands also support biodiversity, reduce pollution and offer sustainable alternatives to traditional infrastructure. At the same time, some scientists caution that restoration is still a relatively young science that requires ongoing study in order to get urban wetland restoration projects right.

insideclimatenews.org

Baltimore is restoring wetlands to protect neighborhoods from climate threats

Climate ‘feedback loops’ could worsen global warming by 30%, study finds

Extreme weather preparedness is becoming increasingly necessary in Pittsburgh

Children’s health at risk in south Borneo as El Niño intensifies Indonesia wildfires

Wisconsin GOP candidate is exploiting the data center backlash to hit solar, wind

Are electric cars really bad for the environment?

‘Summer has shaken us’: Nepal’s flood disaster hits close to home in the shadow of melting Mont Blanc

Climate paradox: Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon — but emit it when they’re damaged

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.