Sea Level Rise Expert Spotlight: Dr. Phil Dustan
Professor discusses urban development, sea level rise, and flooding becoming the “new normal” in Charleston ______________________________________________________
Dr. Phillip Dustan is a marine ecologist specializing in the ecology, vitality, and remote sensing of corals and coral reef communities. He is one of SeaLevelRise.org’s experts for South Carolina, where he lends his expertise on detecting change and the impact of urbanization on watershed ecology of coastal waters to inform the SeaLevelRise.org content.
Dustan’s current research projects include changing ecology of coral reef communities, coral bleaching in temperate waters offshore Charleston, remote sensing of coral reefs and coastal waters, the impact of urbanization on reefs and coastal waters, microplastic in the marine environment, and the landscape ecology of Johns Island.
Dustan was among the first US scientists to work in the Indian Ocean with Russian scientists from the USSR Academy of Sciences Far East Branch, and was the Science Advisor for the Cousteau Society from 1998–2003. His work has appeared in numerous publications and he has been active with the Education and Outreach Committee of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. He is also a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative and a member of the City of Charleston Green Committee.
Here, Dustan explains how urban development can exacerbate sea level rise flooding and endanger residents, how there is a disconnect about the science behind sea level rise, and how imperative it is for communities to understand the importance of planning for and adjusting our behavior to mitigate sea level rise and the flooding it causes.
+ How has your professional background helped impact your views and actions on sea level rise?
I am a marine ecologist who took part in the first Earth Day Celebration. My work with coral reefs educated me on the dynamics of sea level change and how future change will impact the planet.
+ Can you share an example of how sea level rise impacts (or will impact) South Carolina?
Our leadership has declared that flooding is Charleston’s number one issue. I live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina where the land meets the sea intimately. Here, development is altering the land which exacerbates [sea level rise] flooding.
Development disrupts the water balance of the land. Forested land tends to trap most rainfall onsite and then slowly release it through evapotranspiration. Roads and other paved surfaces along with the high density of housing and sod lawns compromise the capacity of the land to absorb water. Instead of slowly percolating into the soil the water gets pushed somewhere else; flowing in a thin surface layer over the ground onto neighboring properties or into local waters.
Charleston is at the point in history where many of our human activities, pollution, deforestation, and urbanization have diminished the resilience of natural communities. We are no longer concerned with stormwater degrading water quality because the sheer volume of water is threatening our way of life.
+ What’s one thing that would surprise people about sea level rise and coastal flooding?
Here most people think that sea level rise is driven by a natural cycle of the earth. They would be surprised to really understand that humans are causing atmospheric warming which leads to sea level rise. When shown real data they either recoil into their position or their eyes open wide as if to say, “Oh my! I never knew that before!”
+ What challenges do you face when educating/advocating about the urgency of sea level rise?
Most people have already formed an opinion on the subject without knowledge of the science.
The Lowcountry was formed by a changing climate and it will experience its wrath in the not too distant future. Sea level will rise, storms will increase, and rainfall will be more intense as evidenced by recent hurricane-driven flooding disasters. This is the new normal and it is imperative to plan for these eventualities. Going blindly forward will only make matters worse and far more expensive and tragic for future generations.
+ What actions would you like to see taken to prevent or mitigate the effects of sea level rise?
Building housing developments in low lying, flood prone areas is not safe and must end. Clearcutting forests and infilling must cease as well. We need to respect the power of water and embrace the resilience provided by natural forests. Stormwater systems need to be rethought so more rain is held onsite long term. Thoughtful planning using the best scientific information available can provide us with safer, more healthy, peaceful, and resilient communities. We need to create new laws that deal with these issue head-on at the local, state, and federal levels. When the only conversation is about cleaning ditches or making them bigger we have a real problem.
+ How at risk is your house to flooding and sea level rise?
I live at 8.5 feet above mean sea level, but my house is raised so the finished floor height is 21 ft. So while my property has not flooded in recent storms, it is vulnerable. The house is higher but also vulnerable.
