How Climate Change Will Alter New York City’s Skyline | WIRED
The website discusses the recent severe storm that inundated parts of New York City with over 7 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the city’s aging infrastructure to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. This storm came just two years after Hurricane Ida caused significant flooding and fatalities in the city. The article emphasizes the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to cope with the increasingly extreme and unpredictable climate.
Experts quoted in the article, such as Joseph Kane and Steve Bowen, stress the inadequacy of existing infrastructure in the face of climate change-driven weather patterns. They point out that a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to more intense storms. The article also mentions that around 23 million people were under flood watches during this storm, leading to states of emergency being declared by both the New York Governor and the Mayor.
Furthermore, the article references the lessons not learned from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which caused widespread devastation and highlighted the need for climate resilience measures. Unfortunately, the city’s progress in this regard has been slow, with insufficient utilization of federal grant funding and a focus on coastal flooding rather than extreme precipitation.
In conclusion, the article underscores the urgent need for New York City to adapt its infrastructure and policies to the changing climate to protect its residents from the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events like the recent heavy rainfall.
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