Increased New York City, New Climate Change Adaptation Plan

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Mayor Bloomberg has launched
the Climate Change Adaptation Task Force and the New York City Panel on
Climate Change to develop strategies to secure the City’s infrastructure from
the effects of climate change.

New York is a
low-lying city, and is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and storm surges
associated with global warming,
reports Environment
News Service. Rising temperatures will strain NYC’s existing electrical
grid, and Mayor Bloomberg has planned to map out how the city will respond to a
changing climate.

The Climate Change Adaptation Task Force was one of the 127
initiatives proposed in PlaNYC,
the City’s long-term sustainability plan. Those involved will begin the process
of creating a coordinated plan to adapt the city’s means of transportation,
water and sewer systems, electricity production, telecommunication networks,
and other critical infrastructure.

"We face two urgent challenges—both of which we’re
responding to as part of PlaNYC," Mayor Bloomberg said.
"First, we have to shrink our carbon footprint to slow climate change.
Second, we have to adapt to the environmental changes that are already
beginning to take place. For example, raise critical infrastructure, like
back-up generators, to higher ground in areas prone to flooding. Changes in the
way we maintain and operate our infrastructure can help secure our City."