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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Miles of South Carolina Coastline at StakeSea level rise threatening the lowcountryCharleston, SC – Today a group of small business, clean energy, religious and environmental organizations launched the Save the Lowcountry Campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of global warming and the effects sea level rise could have on South Carolina's lowcountry. "With 2,876 miles of coastal shoreline, South Carolina is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise. Charleston and Myrtle Beach are already feeling the effects of sea level rise and that is only going to get worse with global warming," said Kenya Bryant, Pew Environment Group South Carolina representative. "If we don't do something to stop global warming now, our beloved lowcountry could be gone forever." According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), sea levels are predicted to rise between 0.6 and 24 inches globally within the next century. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the sand replenishment that would be needed to protect South Carolina's coastlines from a 20-inch sea level rise could cost between $1.2 to $9.4 billion. Tourism is South Carolina's main industry and the lowcountry is a major part of the state's tourism economy. Charleston County's tourism industry alone generates more than $1 billion each year and Horry County which includes Myrtle Beach accounts for 38 percent of the tourism revenue for the state. South Carolina's coastal ecosystems also provide valuable habitat for endangered and threatened species such as the American alligator, brown pelican and loggerhead sea turtle. All of these areas are especially vulnerable to rising sea level. "Tourism is the engine driving South Carolina's economy but global warming could cause that engine to break down," said Frank Knapp, Jr. of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. "People from all over the world come to South Carolina for our beaches and lowcountry, but global warming is putting that at risk. The economic well-being and the quality of life of all South Carolinians could suffer from the impacts of global warming." As part of an effort to highlight local and state impacts, the coalition has unveiled an outdoor billboard campaign, with billboards posted along I-26, I-526 and I-95 that read: "Lowcountry/Nocountry: Global Warming Means Rising Seas and Less South Carolina and a website www.savethelowcountry.org." The coalition will continue education and outreach initiatives throughout the year. "I was born and raised in South Carolina and I can't imagine my state without the Palmetto, Carolina football or the lowcountry," said Steve Moore, Director of Climate and Energy for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. "We're using this campaign to show that global warming will have very real consequences for our state and the world." Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) is a strong advocate for policies that will end our dependence on foreign oil, enhance our national security, protect our environment and create new economies. The coalition aims to work with the Congressman and other members of the South Carolina delegation to take bold action to save the lowcountry by cutting global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050. "South Carolina could be the center of the political debate on global warming," said Toni Reale, of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. "Our state stands to suffer the real consequences of global warming and losing our lowcountry is just one example. The longer we wait to act, the more costly dealing with global warming will be and the greater risk we will face of suffering irreversible damages." # # # |
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