The Bloomberg-appointed Panel on Climate Change released its final report yesterday, predicting that annual temperatures will rise between 4 and 7.5 degrees over the next century, while heat waves, damaging rain, and coastal flooding will become increasingly regular occurrences. Here's a look at what the city may very well look like as heavy flooding becomes more frequent.
The report also estimates that sea levels could rise 12 to 23 inches by the end of the century, and by the 2020s levels may already be up 2 to 5 inches. In a press conference held to announce the report, the mayor told reporters, "Climate change is real and could have serious consequences for New York if we don't take action." Of course, this is the same mayor who authorized major residential rezoning along the Brooklyn waterfront, encouraging huge housing developments that will likely face devastating flooding in the coming years (if anyone ever moves in). This must-read Village Voice article from 2007 has more on the administration's waterfront short-sightedness.
A task force will now work on preparing city infrastructure for the various scenarios outlined in the report, but officials already expect to start moving critical equipment in city buildings above sea level (wherever that may be) and incorporate climate changes into future architectural designs. On the bright side, the catastrophic changes may eventually result in free housing for displaced New Yorkers in deluxe shipping containers.
