Rising Waters: The Changing Shoreline of San Francisco Bay

As a result of global climate change, the water level in San Francisco Bay is expected to rise between three and six feet by the year 2100. This exacerbates a much more gradual rise in water levels that has been ongoing for the last several thousand years.

As the Bay's shoreline changes, how will cities adapt? How can information about the historic and prehistoric shorelines inform our plans for the future? And how can we successfully blend traditional infrastructures, such as seawalls, landfill, and levees, with greener approaches, such as restored wetlands and oyster reefs?

Join us for the first in a series of talks that will explore how politics, history, engineering, and citizen action are informing our responses to the rising water levels in San Francisco Bay.

Speakers include:

Gabriel Metcalf, Executive Director of SPUR, a nonprofit that uses research, education, and advocacy to develop solutions for Bay Area cities.

Peter Wijsman, a water management and climate change adaptation specialist for the design and engineering firm Arcadis US.

Richard Walker, geographer and author of The Country in the City: The Greening of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Robin Grossinger, Senior Scientist and director of the Resilient Landscapes Program at the San Francisco Estuary Institute.