Sea-level Rise Initiative Targets Gullah Coastal Communities

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – A new initiative will help South Carolina coastal communities prepare for the effects sea level rise with an emphasis on educating Gullah communities.
The South Carolina Aquarium on Thursday announced the Resilience Initiative for Coastal Education – called RICE for short. That’s in reference to the rice economy of colonial times that was built on the backs of slaves whose descendants now comprise the Gullah sea-island culture.
Among the initiative’s goals are increasing public awareness of climate change and the need for planning and working with local governments on solutions.
Gullah leader Emory Campbell said sea level rise will mean more flooding and worse storms. He says in the past, Gullah communities relied on family ties to recover from storms but says that in the future family won’t be enough.