One Year Later: Superstorm Sandy and a Call to Action
In the year since Superstorm Sandy, a continued lack of investment and the crumbling of our basic systems—the ones we rely on to bring us heat, electricity and clean water for example—highlights the need for immediate action.
Climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events and worsens their impact on our communities and economy. In the year since Superstorm Sandy, a continued lack of investment and the crumbling of our basic systems—the ones we rely on to get us from place to place; to bring us heat, electricity and clean water; and to allow us to communicate with each other—highlights the need for immediate action.
The BlueGreen Alliance identified five key infrastructure priorities for cities and states to redesign and strengthen to ensure climate resilient systems:
- Strengthen electric grid reliability and expand capacity;
- Modernize water systems and increase storm water capacity and coastal storm surge responsiveness;
- Identify and reconstruct vulnerable sections of transportation systems;
- Strengthen communications technology to withstand greater weather damage; and
- Renovate anchor community institutions like hospitals and schools to serve as needed crisis centers.