Delaware

Global climate change poses risks to human health and to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Important economic resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and water resources also may be affected. Warmer temperatures, more severe droughts and floods, and sea level rise could have a wide range of impacts. All these stresses can add to existing stresses on resources caused by other influences such as population growth, land-use changes, and pollution.

Climate Change in Delaware

Below are some of the potential impacts:

  • By 2100 temperatures in Delaware could increase by about 3°F (with a range of 1-7°F) in spring and about 4°F (with a range or 2-9°F) in the other seasons. The frequency of extreme hot days in summer would increase because of the general warming trend.
  • The coast of Delaware is an important resource with 381 miles of shoreline. At Lewes, Delaware, sea level already is rising by 12 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 23 inches by 2100. A 20-inch rise in sea level could inundate about 50% of the wetlands in Delaware Bay. sea level rise update
  • Rising sea levels, combined with possible decreases in summer stream flows could increase the salinity of the Delaware River and Bay.
  • Responses to sea level rise are likely to be increases in the use of traditional techniques to combat erosion, such as building bulkheads and revetments, which would threaten habitats of least tern and other species depending on estuarine beaches. Other possible responses include allowing the sea to advance and adapting to it, and raising the land (e.g., by replenishing beach sand, elevating houses and infrastructure). Each of these responses will be costly, either in out-of-pocket costs or in lost land and structures. For example, the cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect the coast of Delaware from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $34-$143 million.
  • In addition, warmer seas could contribute to the increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms. These blooms damage habitat and shellfish nurseries, can be toxic to humans, and can carry bacteria like those causing cholera. Warmer ocean waters could increase their occurrence and persistence.

The above are based on from the Environmental Protection Agency's report on climate change, which uses data from the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001).

For more info on climate change impacts on Delaware's water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, you can download pdf of full EPA Report.

CO2: How Does Your State Rank?

Delaware is the highest emitter of C02 of all 50 states and the most populous.

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Maps

See CO2 output by sector, coastal population maps, and maps of regional initiatives.

USA Map

Regional Initiatives

In the absence of federal action, many U.S. states are banding together to explore and employ greenhouse gas-reducing policies.


Delaware participates in the following:

Eastern Climate Registry (ECR)

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Learn about climate initiatives in all U.S. states and regions

Your Impact

Estimate your CO2 footprint by using a carbon calculator such as the one on the Inconvenient Truth web site.

How green is your energy? The EPA has a power profiler that can tell you.