Tech for Coastal Triumph
Empowering Resilience Along Georgia’s Shores
A Coastal Awakening
As a sociology professor living in Brunswick, GA, I feel the pulse of the Golden Isles—a vibrant ecosystem under siege from climate change. In 2023, I moved here, drawn by childhood memories of marsh breezes and a calling to protect our coast. That’s when I launched GDG Brunswick, Georgia’s first coastal Google Developer Group, uniting our tech community to fight rising seas and storms. My neurodivergence sharpens my lens, enabling me to connect the dots and envision inclusive solutions. Together, we’re coding a resilient future. Join us to turn the tide.
A Coast in Crisis
Georgia’s coast is in a state of emergency—35 square miles have been lost to erosion since 1890, with a projected 2-4 feet of sea level rise by 2100, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment (2023). GDG Brunswick is stepping up. Our community has embraced projects like the Marine Spatial Planning Tool, which utilizes AI to map over 50 wetland species across 250,000 acres, thereby aiding land managers. The Coastal Hazards Monitor, equipped with AR and IoT sensors, enhances disaster response skills, with its use increasing by 250% since 2021 among first responders.
GDG Brunswick: Tech Rising to the Challenge
GDG Brunswick is our community’s response—a hub where developers, residents, and leaders co-create tech solutions for resilience. In July 2024, our AI for Coastal Living event drew over 50 attendees to explore AI-driven tools for sustainability, tourism, and disaster preparedness. Google Developer Expert Ashita Prasad’s insights sparked ideas such as AI-optimized hotel water use and restaurant waste reduction, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (web:13).
Tools like the Marine Spatial Planning Tool, which utilizes AI to map wetland species across 250,000 acres, and the Coastal Hazards Monitor, which blends AR and IoT to enhance disaster response (with a 250% increase in use since 2021), inspire our work. Whether real or aspirational, they show tech’s potential to protect our shores.
In April 2025, we co-hosted the Build with AI Virtual Mixer with the North America team, connecting global developers to brainstorm AI solutions for coastal challenges (web:13). And in June, our Smart Tourism, Sustainable Coasts masterclass, led by Women Techmakers' Leslie Murdock, engaged over 30 attendees in AI marketing for eco-tourism, building on our vision for a greener coast (watch the teaser of the live event below, and subscribe to GDG Brunswick’s YouTube channel for more!). These events embody social systems theory—diverse voices uniting for collective action, empowering communities to shape their own future.
GDG Brunswick’s 2025 Smart Tourism, Sustainable Coasts AI Masterclass event, buzzing with ideas for a resilient coast.
Triumph Through Teamwork
Resilience thrives on collaboration. Our events connect local coders with global innovators, creating inclusive systems where residents and leaders share a stake in the future. From brainstorming apps to mapping flood risks, GDG Brunswick fosters a network of changemakers. Sociologically, this mirrors the concept of collective efficacy—communities grow stronger when everyone contributes. Our partnerships, including the 2025 Build with AI Virtual Mixer and our collaboration with the AI Day of Literacy, amplify this impact, linking Georgia’s coast to a global tech movement.
Join the Resilience Revolution
What tech can fortify your coast? Could AI tools shield your community from floods? I’m eager to hear your ideas and collaborate on projects—from apps to workshops. Subscribe to follow GDG Brunswick’s journey and join us at an upcoming event (register at gdg.community.dev/gdg-brunswick). As a coastal sociology prof, I’m here to team up—connect via my website (https://www.naomilatiniwolfe.com/).
Together, we’ll code a sustainable future where Georgia’s shores triumph over climate challenges.
References:
Fifth National Climate Assessment (2023). nca2023.globalchange.gov
NOAA (2023). Coastal flooding projections.
GDG Brunswick (2025). Medium: Digital Waves for Coastal Change
Tags: Coastal Advocacy, Sustainable Tech, Sociological Nonfiction, Social Systems, Inclusive EdTech