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Fourth National Climate Assessment Predicts Harsh Consequences for US Economy by 2100
The National Climate Assessment is a report published by the federal government every four years to evaluate the risks of climate change, incorporate new scientific information and analyze the ways that climate change might affect our society and economy. The assessment is developed by 13 agencies and is mandated by Congress. Although the current administration denies that human-caused climate change is happening, the White House released the report to the public on Black Friday.
At more than 1,600 pages, the report is not that easy to summarize, but its findings are alarming. If aggressive action to curb emissions and planetary warming aren't undertaken immediately, we can expect environmental damage and resource scarcity will lead to a 10% shrinkage in the US economy by 2100. Some of the regional effects are likely to include even more record-breaking California wildfires, crop failures in the Midwest and infrastructure failures in the South.
The previous report, issued in May 2014, concluded with nearly as much scientific certainty, but not as much precision on the economic costs, that the tangible impacts of climate change had already started to cause damage across the country. It cited increasing water scarcity in dry regions, torrential downpours in wet regions and more severe heat waves and wildfires.
You can read more about how to understand the NCA on the NY Times website here.
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Small Change, Big Impact: Don't Replace Your Phone
Modern life and environmental values are sometimes difficult to reconcile. We live in a consumer-driven economy, one that prizes innovation and newness. Advertising works away at us constantly, tempting us with all sorts of shiny new toys to make our lives easier, ease our discomfort and soothe our stressed-out brains. But the constant turnover of new stuff places a lot of stress on the environment as well...stress that can remain largely invisible to us.
Cell phone companies and phone manufacturers have us convinced that the life of a cell phone is two years, maximum. But if we were to properly consider all of a mobile phone's components and how many of them are mined at great environmental cost, and then thrown in a landfill when the battery runs down or the screen cracks, we might be more mindful of how we treat these devices and how long we use them.
So the next time you come to the end of a contract, consider carefully whether or not you really need a new phone. If yours still works fine, keep it. If it doesn't, repair or recycle it. And when you finally have to get another device, consider a used instead of new model.
You can read more about smartphones and their environmental impacts on the Fast Company website here.
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Come to the ESCR Interactive Community Meeting on December 10
The City of New York would like to invite you to an Interactive Community Engagement Meeting to discuss the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, including a new vision for East River Park, updates on the project, and other project enhancements.
The City recently announced an update to the East River Park section of the project that better advances the project’s goals, including flood protection, improved open space, and public access to the waterfront. The meeting will provide detailed information and solicit feedback on the current state of project design.
Meeting details:
Monday, December 10, 2018
7:00 – 8:30PM
Gouverneur Health Auditorium
227 Madison Street (between Clinton and Jefferson Streets)
There will be a short presentation followed by breakout sessions on key topics and aspects of the design.
Additional information:
Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fujianese interpreters will be present at the meeting
Dinner will be provided
The venue is wheelchair accessible
For special needs assistance, please call (718) 391-2411 or email by December 4th
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
NYC Department of Design & Construction
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
The Mayor’s Office of Recovery & Resiliency
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