Global mean surface temperature difference from the average for 1961–1990
Climate change in New York is accelrating due to New York's growing population. To provide for its growing water needs, the city secured water rights, built reservoirs, and constructed transportation systems like water tunnels and securing safe drinking water for the near future[1]. Global Warming, however, means that this and many other basic needs of the city are becoming hard to meet as time passes.
Climate change in New York is linked with the awareness of the risk of storm flooding. New York is especially at risk if the sea level rises, due to many of the bridges connecting to boroughs, and entrances to roads and rail tunnels. Even high-traffic places like airports, the Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel and the Passenger Ship Terminal are located in places that are more likely to be destroyed if flooding is to happen.[2]
Buildings/structures, wetlands, water supply, health, and energy demand are of the many other concerns, due to the high population and extensive built infrastructure in the region.[3]
Flooding in New York has potencial to cause significant economic damage. In its location, the effects of flooding would cost the government a large sum of money to reverse.[4].
Temperatures in New York could rise 4°F in winter and spring, and a little bit more in summer and fall (from 2-8°F)by the year 2100.
The sea level along New York coasts is already rising 10 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 22 inches by the year 2100.
As temperature rises, there is a higher risk of heat related deaths from heat waves.
There is concern that climate change could increase chances of ground-level ozone, which could cause asthma, lung functions, and other health concerns. It will also cause crop fields to be damaged.
Coastal storms and sea level rise could cause suffer from beach and coast damage.
Fixing damages could cost a lot of money. The costs of raising existing structures are already growing, and they could continue throughout the next century.[5]
The Mayor of New York states that the city is working on ways to reverse climate change, while being prepared for its effects. The Mayor announced, “First, we have to shrink our carbon footprint to slow climate change. Second, we have to adapt to the environmental changes already beginning to take place". Plans have been made to move some of the more important structures to higher grounds in case of flooding. The "New York City Panel on Climate Change" is working on predicting temperature rises, places that would be affected greatly, and finding ways to fix them. They hope to protect the city and raise awareness of climate change among its inhabitants.[6]
^"What are the projected costs of climate change in the region’s coastal communities and coastal environments?" CIESIN. Earth Institute at Columbia University, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2009. <http://ccir.ciesin.columbia.edu/nyc/ccir-ny_q2e.html>
