Maryland’s Chief Resilience Officer on Climate Threats: Year One Reflections
In November 2023, Michael Hinson took the helm as Maryland’s very first chief resilience officer, bringing with him over a decade of experience in disaster management and strategic planning. An expert in his field, Hinson had led recovery efforts twice before, following the devastating Ellicott City floods in 2016 and 2018.
Appointed by Gov. Wes Moore and stationed within the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Hinson’s vital role involves crafting and coordinating a comprehensive resilience strategy for the state to navigate an increasingly complex era. His mandate is clear: unify scattered resiliency efforts across Maryland, ensuring the state’s ability to adapt to, mitigate, and recover from a wide array of hazards and emergencies, including natural disasters and cyber threats.
A Vision for Resilience
In a recent conversation with Inside Climate News, Hinson outlined his vision for the state, emphasizing the critical need to define resilience and take stock of fragmented efforts across various agencies. His primary objective was to develop a cohesive statewide resilience strategy that would bring together sectors such as food systems, environmental systems, and housing under a unified framework.
Looking ahead, Hinson recognized the importance of translating objectives into concrete outcomes and stressed the urgency of rapidly expanding his team to lay a solid foundation for Maryland’s adaptation to climate risks and natural disasters.
Reflecting on Year One
As the one-year mark of Hinson’s tenure approached, Inside Climate News sat down with him once again, eager to gain insights into his accomplishments, challenges, and overarching vision for safeguarding Maryland against the threats posed by extreme weather events and rising sea levels in a changing climate landscape.
In the interview, Hinson highlighted the significant progress made in defining resilience for Maryland, a major milestone that served as a guiding light for their work. By collaborating with stakeholders from various sectors, including local governments, state agencies, academia, and nonprofits, they were able to establish a comprehensive definition of resilience, ensuring clarity and focus in their strategic initiatives.
Defining Resilience for Maryland
Hinson emphasized the importance of tailoring the definition of resilience specifically for Maryland, given the diverse interpretations of the term. While the federal definition of resilience is broad and focuses on environmental shocks and stressors, Maryland’s interpretation delves into specific focus areas such as environmental and natural systems, housing, and other key sectors unique to the state.
This tailored approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of resilience, enabling Maryland to address its distinctive challenges while aligning with federal guidelines.
Building a Strong Team
A critical aspect of Hinson’s first year in office was the successful staffing of the Office of Resilience, a milestone that paved the way for impactful progress. With a diverse team in place, including a food systems resiliency coordinator, a resilience planner, and a deputy chief resilience officer, Hinson was well-equipped to advance their initiatives and address the multifaceted resilience needs of the state.
Crafting a Statewide Resilience Strategy
At the core of their efforts lies the development of a statewide resilience strategy, a comprehensive document that aims to unify Maryland’s scattered resilience initiatives into a cohesive plan. Currently in the data gathering and stakeholder involvement phase, this strategy is set to be completed by mid-spring, with the final version expected to be unveiled by late 2025 or early 2026.
Key Priorities and Sectors
The resilience strategy focuses on key sectors such as housing, community and local government capacity, environment and natural systems, and cyber resilience. Maryland’s leadership in coastal resilience is being expanded to include watershed resilience, with a strong emphasis on place-based resilience in hotspot areas like Crisfield and Annapolis, which face chronic flooding and sea-level rise.
Navigating Uncertainties
In the face of federal funding changes and political uncertainties, Hinson emphasized the importance of state-level preparedness and collaboration with various stakeholders to navigate potential challenges. While federal funding plays a vital role in larger-scale investments, Maryland is proactively coordinating with state agencies to ensure continued progress.
Empowering Grassroots Organizations
Recognizing the invaluable role of grassroots organizations in resilience planning, Hinson underscored the significance of community engagement through sector workgroups and the Whole Community Initiative. By involving grassroots organizations, Maryland ensures that resilience measures are rooted in local realities and effectively address community needs.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Hinson revealed plans to develop additional tools and resources, including ResilientMaryland.com, a toolkit designed to support local governments in building resilience strategies. Moreover, the office aims to provide further technical assistance to local jurisdictions and collaborate with grassroots organizations to establish resilience authorities and advance critical projects.
In Conclusion
As Hinson reflects on his first year in office, his unwavering commitment to enhancing Maryland’s resilience and preparedness shines through. With a dedicated team, a clear strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the state’s unique challenges, Hinson is poised to lead Maryland towards a more resilient and sustainable future.
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