Preparing for the Future: Climate Change and Coastal Resiliency

The impacts of climate change, including erosion, sea level rise, flooding, and increased coastal storms, are reshaping Cape Cod today. At the 2025 OneCape Summit, regional and state leaders addressed the urgency of climate challenges and the innovative responses already underway.  

Conservation and Nature-Based Solutions  

Katie Theoharides, President and CEO of The Trustees, highlighted the accelerating impacts of climate change across Massachusetts and Cape Cod’s vulnerable coastlines. She stressed the value of nature-based solutions, which can be cost effective while offering long-term resilience. The organization aims to conserve 12,000 acres in the next five years and pilot coastal resiliency projects, linking land conservation to stronger community resilience.  

Local Progress on Climate Action  

A breakout session on Day One showcased the progress of municipalities across the region. Leaders from Eastham, Falmouth, and Truro detailed local efforts in sustainability, climate coordination, and energy planning. Aladdine Joroff, Deputy Climate Chief for Massachusetts, emphasized the state’s priority on a whole-of-government approach to climate, integrating mitigation and resilience with housing, insurance, jobs, and biodiversity. She highlighted expanding financing tools beyond grants, providing shared science and data to support municipalities, streamlining permitting for nature-based solutions, and improving transparency through measures like flood-risk disclosures to help communities move from planning to action. Steven Tupper, Deputy Director of the Cape Cod Commission, emphasized how collaboration and shared lessons are helping towns transition from planning to implementation.  

Preparing for Coastal Risks  

In the session Preparing for the Future: Coastal and Community Resiliency, experts from the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Agency (CZM) and ResilientCoasts Initiative, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Better Buyouts Work Group, and the Cape Cod Commission explored strategies to adapt to sea level rise and coastal pressures. Panelists discussed a new MEMA feasibility study on voluntary home buyouts and elevations that draws on national models that both reduce flood risk and protect community vitality.  

Funding Decarbonization Pathways  

On Day Two, a breakout session focused on programs and partnerships for local decarbonization action outlined the resources needed to meet climate goals. Presenters from Cape Light Compact, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and the Town of Orleans shared funding opportunities supporting energy efficiency, clean energy deployment, and EV adoption, along with tools helping communities accelerate the shift to a low-carbon future.

Resilience in an Uncertain World  

On Day Two, Jeff Schlegelmilch, from Columbia University and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, delivered keynote remarks on navigating uncertainty in modern crises. He urged leaders to embrace flexible, coordinated systems rather than rely on perfect predictions, calling OneCape itself “one of the most important ingredients in moving forward for a more just and sustainable resilience.”  

From Planning to Action  

The conversations at OneCape emphasized that climate action on Cape Cod is shifting from plans to practice. With communities, state partners, and regional organizations working together, the Cape is accelerating decarbonization, preparing for coastal risks, and strengthening disaster readiness, laying the foundation for a more resilient future.