North Carolina has been blessed with abundant natural beauty and resources.  Still, the combination of rapid growth, greater integration into the global economy, and emerging impacts of climate change mean that North Carolina faces a complex set of environmental challenges.  Many of the solutions are clear, and our affiliates across the state are working to enact and implement those solutions.  Other problems have been harder to address, because they are complicated, poorly defined, or simply because opportunities for progress on these issues are rare. The mission of the Strategy Center, a project of the NC Conservation Network, is to identify these particularly complex issues and lay the groundwork for successful campaigns to address them.  

Water management

North Carolina may be entering a new era of water scarcity, but we can avert crisis if we plan wisely.

Across much of the state, population growth is bringing demand for water up against the limits of current supply.  The ongoing drought has highlighted the importance of good water management; but the underlying issue – that North Carolina is entering into a new era of water scarcity – was true before the drought and will remain true even once the drought is over.  

For the long term, North Carolina needs a comprehensive water allocation law that keeps our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and groundwater supplies functioning sustainably, and gives certainty and security to businesses, communities, and agriculture.  In the near term, North Carolina needs to place much greater emphasis on efficient use of water, meaningful conservation, and rainwater capture.  Local governments must consider water availability in making growth and land use decisions.  States that have failed to manage water demand wisely find themselves managing crisis; fortunately, North Carolina still has time to put sound policies in place now, and to avoid controversy and economic damage down the road.

For more information on our work on water management, please visit our page on water resources and the drought.

Transportation policy

Current state transportation policies are unsustainable; reforms are needed to contain sprawl, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect our economy.

North Carolina spends roughly $3.5 billion on transportation each year (a combination of federal grants and state funds).  The state’s heavy emphasis on road construction results in sprawl, environmental degradation, and rising emissions of greenhouse gases – and places North Carolina at an economic disadvantage relative to other states.  For years, North Carolina’s road building process has also been marred by political patronage, with some projects located to benefit specific landowners rather than serve public needs.  In the face of increasing construction costs, our current transportation system is unsustainable – economically, politically, and environmentally.  The NC Conservation Network has joined with a broad coalition of progressive advocates to urge that North Carolina reform our transportation policies to better meet the needs of our state.

Planning for growth

Local governments have the opportunity to make wise land use and investment decisions that emphasize sustainability for the long term.

As North Carolina’s population grows, cities and counties across the state face the challenge of providing services and maintaining a high quality of life.  Long range planning for communities is a key tool.  The City of Raleigh is in the midst of a two-year process to revise the city’s comprehensive plan, which will guide a host of land use and capital investment decisions for the next 20 years.  The NC Conservation Network is partnering with local environmental and community groups to advocate for a comprehensive plan that emphasizes sustainability, diverse neighborhood styles, and quality of life for all residents.

Building resilient communities

Floodplain and coastal development places North Carolina residents at risk from natural disasters; we need sensible policies to guide development in the wake of major storms.

Jutting into the North Atlantic, North Carolina is regularly hit with hurricanes and nor’easters.  Over the years, and in response to major hurricanes, the state has developed some of the nation’s best disaster planning, floodplain mapping, and hazard mitigation programs.  Yet, rapid development on floodplains and low-lying coastal areas mean that many more people are potentially in harm’s way.  That’s a recipe for economic and environmental disaster.  The NC Conservation Network is working to ensure that environmental advocates are prepared with policy solutions to help the state rebuild following a disaster, and to learn from our losses so we don’t have to repeat them again and again.

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Last updated 03-01-08