The streets of New York may look more like the canals of Venice in the coming decades as temperatures – and water levels – rise to dangerous new heights, according to a report released today by a panel of scientists assembled by Mayor Bloomberg.
Similar to a scary sci-fi movie, the scientists said water levels around the city could rise by two feet or more in the coming decades and average temperatures likely go up at least 4 degrees, according to a report by the New York City Panel on Climate Change.
“Planning for climate change today is less expensive than rebuilding an entire network after a catastrophe,” said Bloomberg. “We can’t wait until after our infrastructure has been compromised to begin to plan for the effects of climate change.”
The panel, convened last year by Bloomberg, said the city – particularly low-lying areas – must adapt to global warming or risk having to rebuild facilities after flooding.
According to the report, the city can expect more storms, more days with the temperature over 90 degrees and fewer sub-zero days over the next century.
Bloomberg and panel members released the report this morning at a wastewater treatment plant on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens. The facility is preparing for climate change by raising equipment higher off the ground.
Last year, Bloomberg compared the scourge of global warming to the threat of terrorism, saying that reducing gas emissions would be a “long-term fight.”