Understand SC

Lessons from a year reporting on sea rise and flooding in Charleston

Episode Summary

This week on the podcast, projects reporter Tony Bartelme reflects on months of climate reporting for our series Rising Waters, and we find out why planting and protecting trees is key to addressing our region's flooding problem.

Episode Notes

When it comes to Charleston's flooding problem, things can get complicated pretty quickly. 

The issue touches many facets of life in the region, from business and real estate to public health and racial equity. But sometimes, seeking solutions that are effective means turning to ideas that may seem somewhat simple.

Projects reporter Tony Bartelme returned to the podcast to talk about Rising Waters, a series that has documented the affects of sea rise and flooding in the Charleston region in real-time throughout this year. 

He shared lessons learned from the reporting, key takeaways for readers and five practical things Charleston can do to keep itself above water as it faces a rising sea and more frequent severe weather events. 

Engineer and College of Charleston professor Joshua Robinson also joined to explain why protecting trees and planting new ones is vital to efforts to address the Lowcountry's flooding issues.

Listen now to learn more.

If you're looking for even more coverage of Charleston's changing climate, we have months' worth of stories, photos, graphics and other tools — even a climate-themed comic — on our Rising Waters homepage