Rise Up

The looming challenge of sea level rise adaptation stands as one of the most formidable issues of the next century. It portends significant disruption and displacement on a large scale for coastal communities, impacting their economies profoundly.

CMG pioneered a novel approach to community engagement, Rise Up, introducing the first-ever communication tool aimed at raising awareness about sea level rise adaptation. This innovative model is designed for application in specific regions, fostering dialogue and collaboration around the critical issue of sea level rise and incorporates interactive activities that simulate various sea level rise scenarios, allowing participants to visualize adaptation measures. It comprises three main steps:

1. Sea Level Rise Overview which includes Sea Level Rise Basics; Asset and Vulnerability Asset and Mapping; and Adaptation Inventory and Assessment,
2. The SLR Planning Game, and
3. The SLR Vision Report-Out, where the community’s results are presented. The facilitator’s role is to guide the conversation, providing the necessary tools for the community to take action in their own neighborhoods.

Pamela Conrad contributed to the engagement process at Crissy Field and subsequently tailored the model for CMG’s extensive five-year involvement in the Port of San Francisco’s Waterfront Resilience Program.