Posted on June 12th, 2013

New York Mayor Bloomberg called for a $20 billion system of flood walls, levees and other measures to protect vulnerable regions from storms and the effects of climate change. A 400-page report outlines 250 concrete recommendations for how to confront the risks we face, and build a stronger, more resilient city. As bad as Sandy was, future storms could be even worse. In fact, because of rising temperatures and sea levels even a storm that’s not as large as Sandy could — down the road — be even more destructive. Is this plan sufficient? Or is it just a cosmetic band-aid?

While the idea of long-term climate change is a controversial notion politically, it’s accepted as fact by most researchers. The plan includes changes to the city’s construction codes that will raise standards for new construction and infrastructure. Proposed protections include surge barriers and flood walls in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Chinatown, the Financial District, parts of East Harlem and the Bronx, and Brooklyn’s Redhook.

The plan details ways to strengthen coastal defenses, utilities, fuel and food supply, health care, transportation and telecommunications. Analysis will include infrastructure and risks faced due to climate change, according to a city press release. The plan outlines working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to strengthen dune systems and beaches across Staten Island, South Brooklyn and Queens, including Coney Island and along the Rockaways.

“Why shouldn’t a tidal barrier in Coney Island also be a bridge to a new, protected waterfront park?” the mayor said. “Why shouldn’t we integrate our coastal defenses into beautiful waterfront esplanades? Why can’t a fortification that protects Lower Manhattan against rising seas — also be the foundation for a vibrant new neighborhood?”

The price tag of these proposed projects is tentatively $20 billion. Bloomberg said money already allocated for Sandy relief provides $10 billion. The city could receive at least $5 billion more from the federal government and still more from the state. “The plan is incredibly ambitious — and much of the work will extend far beyond the next 203 days. But we refused to pass responsibility for creating a plan onto the next administration,” he said. “This is urgent work — and it must begin now.”

To those who think this cost is too high, lets not forget the following:

• Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of 2012 as well as the second-costliest hurricane in United States history.
• Sandy was a Category 3 storm at its peak intensity when it made landfall in Cuba. While it was a Category 2 storm off the coast of the Northeastern United States, the storm became the largest Atlantic Hurricane on record (as measured by diameter, with winds spanning 1,100 miles).
• Estimates as of May 2013 assess damage to have been over $53 billion, a total surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina.
• At least 285 people were killed along the path of the storm in seven countries.
• If the storm cost $ 53 billion, surely spending $ 20 billion on prevention makes sense? Then again, if these measure are half-measures they will be virtually ineffective.
• Be certain that the insurance companies will raise insurance premiums dramatically:  installing a protection plan could help reduce what is the inevitable.