New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned on Thursday that climate change has made flooding in New York City a “new normal.”
Hochul made the remarks during a visit to a flood-damaged neighborhood in Queens. She said that the city is seeing more frequent and severe flooding events and that these events are becoming more difficult and expensive to deal with.
“We are seeing the effects of climate change play out in real time, “And that means that flooding in New York City is now the new normal.”
Hochul said
Hochul said that the state is investing in infrastructure projects to help protect New York City from flooding. These projects include building new seawalls and floodgates and upgrading drainage systems.
However, Hochul said that the state cannot do this alone. She called on the federal government to provide more funding to help New York City and other coastal cities adapt to climate change.
“We need the federal government to step up and help us protect our communities from the rising seas,”
Hochul said.
Hochul’s warning comes as New York City is facing a number of challenges related to climate change. The city is experiencing more frequent and severe heat waves, storms, and floods. These events are causing damage to infrastructure and businesses, and they are also displacing residents.
A recent study by the New York City Panel on Climate Change found that the city could experience up to 12 feet of sea level rise by the end of the century. This would inundate low-lying areas of the city and make them uninhabitable.
The study also found that the city could experience up to 30 days of heat waves per year by the end of the century. This would increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Hochul’s warning is a stark reminder of the challenges that New York City and other coastal cities are facing as a result of climate change. The city needs to take urgent action to protect its residents and infrastructure from the rising seas and more extreme weather events.
In addition to the infrastructure projects that Hochul mentioned, the city is also working on other initiatives to adapt to climate change. For example, the city is developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make the city more resilient to climate change impacts.
The city is also working to educate residents about climate change and how to prepare for its impacts. For example, the city has launched a public awareness campaign about the dangers of heat waves.
The city’s efforts to adapt to climate change are essential to protecting its residents and infrastructure. However, it is clear that the city cannot do this alone. The federal government needs to provide more funding and support to help cities like New York adapt to climate change.
