Climate change threatens to make several cities uninhabitable due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events. New York, Miami, and New Orleans are among the American cities most at risk, with their fate likely sealed within two generations. Their survival hinges on swift, large-scale action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Not all cities are equally vulnerable; factors such as local climate, geography, and the ability to fund and implement protective measures come into play. Wealthy cities like New York may adapt through expensive infrastructure projects, while poorer cities like Miami and New Orleans face greater challenges.
The cost of protecting these cities is staggering, with estimates ranging from hundreds of billions to trillions of dollars. Despite the cost, the alternative – abandoning them – is unthinkable, both economically and socially.
The U.S. government has yet to formulate a comprehensive plan to address this issue. Current efforts are piecemeal and reactive, lacking the foresight and coordination required to tackle such a monumental task.
The situation underscores the urgent need for a national strategy to prepare for climate change, with a focus on protecting the country’s most vulnerable cities. This strategy should involve not just infrastructure improvements, but also policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The longer the delay in taking action, the higher the cost and the greater the risk.
Go to source article: http://www.newrepublic.com/article/117799/climate-change-will-force-us-abandon-cities-if-we-dont-prepare-now