William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review
Reflections on Rural Resilience: As the Climate Changes, Will Rural Areas Become the Urban Backyard?
Abstract
This article examines the multifaceted impacts of climate change on rural communities, highlighting the exacerbation of existing economic and environmental challenges. It discusses the increasing prevalence of absentee landownership and the deterioration of essential infrastructure, such as septic systems, which threaten the sustainability of rural areas. The authors emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions to address the unique vulnerabilities faced by these communities, particularly those that are socially disadvantaged. Key recommendations include enhancing funding mechanisms, planning for sea level rise, improving public education and communication strategies, and ensuring that rural needs are integrated into the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process. Through this analysis, the article aims to contribute to the discourse on rural resilience in the face of climate change and the implications for future land use and community well-being.