Climate Change Makes Imperative the Building and Repairing of Infrastructure in the US

The MIT Technology Review article discussed the infrastructure issues facing the United States to withstand climate change.

The US needs to build new infrastructure, while its ageing infrastructure, many of which were built half a century ago, needs maintenance and repair. Both are very costly endeavours.

For instance, the completion of the 500-mile high-speed rail line that would connect San Francisco to Los Angeles has been delayed for more than two decades, and the finish date is nowhere in sight.

Then, forces and political systems delay or impede necessary developments or adaptation measures.

For example, political consultants, union, and community groups would either use some “well-intentioned environmental rules” or their personal or collective rights to slow down or speed up the process depending on whether these decisions or actions will serve their purpose.

So, what US infrastructure needs to be renovated or rebuilt for climate adaptation?

The article mentions the water systems, stormwater systems, reservoirs, power systems, dams, pipelines, airports, train tracks, and all infrastructure.

Repairing these infrastructures would cost several hundred billion dollars. For example, most of the nation’s storm drains were designed based on rainfall data before the 1960s.

Many regions in the US have pipes that are too narrow for current rainfall patterns, not to mention future precipitation trends

One trillion dollars worth of coastal real estate is exposed to rising sea levels, storms, floods, and erosion. Some 97 thousand km of roads and bridges are vulnerable to coastal floodplains.

The article explains what the country needs to do to address these issues.

Not only the poor and developing countries but also wealthy and large economies like the United States will grapple with the consequences and impacts of climate change.

The article mentions the 2016 Global Commission on the Economy and Climate study, which says that $90 trillion is needed to replace ageing infrastructure in wealthy nations and build new ones in emerging economies within 15 years.