Perceptions of Sea Level Rise Among Adult Residents of North Carolina's Outer Banks Region

Albemarle Ecological Field Site Capstone Report used to inform Nicholas Institute work on climate ready estuaries. The Albemarle Ecological Field Site (AEFS) is part of the University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment. Located in Manteo, North Carolina, AEFS is a multidisciplinary program focused on environmental issues in the Albemarle region and the sustainable management of its natural resources. AEFS fuses an extensive curriculum, individually focused internships, intense community involvement and a group capstone project, which is chosen by the Community Advisory Board (CAB), a body consisting of community members from throughout the Outer Banks. Collectively, these elements foster a broad understanding of both the challenges that face the coastal region and the possibilities for a responsible and sustainable community design.

Author(s): Jessie Barber, Jennifer Bellis, Andy Blackmore, Taylor Crabtree, Mariah Keller, Nathan Lamb, David Richardson, Meredith Robbins, Jamie Stubson, and Ella Wise

Published: December 2008

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Despite the vast quantity of scientific research on sea level rise, little is known about how
the public perceives the phenomenon. The lack of research on this topic leaves policymakers in
the dark concerning what, if anything, they should do to address rising sea levels. This study
examined the perceptions of people residing in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina
regarding sea-level rise using the convenience sampling method. A survey was designed to
gauge whether respondents thought sea level rise was occurring, how they felt sea level rise
might impact them, what responses should be taken to address sea level rise, and how informed
they felt on the topic. The survey was then distributed by hand and through a local newspaper.
A total of 240 respondents completed surveys and, of those, 232 qualified to be included in the
analysis. Descriptive statistics of the respondents’ answers were then compiled for
interpretation. From these comparisons, it appears that formal education seemed to have the
strongest correlation with how informed respondents felt about the subject of sea level rise, as
well as how concerned they were about it. In general, those with higher levels of education
seemed to feel more informed on the subject of sea level rise and considered it something that
needed to be addressed. Considering this data and the limited influence one can have on the
number of people with formal education, the two greatest recommendations to policymakers are
that there should be more widespread comprehensive education of the public on the topic of sea
level rise as well an inclusion of the topic, with increased emphasis, in high school curricula.