The reality of extreme weather and the value of preparation is undeniable.
Here are some authoritative studies that illustrate the challenge before us
and why we must invest now to build a secure and prosperous future.
The Hurricane Sandy Task Force Report lays out suggestions like building a more resilient and modern electric grid, new flood-protection and more stringent building standards in the affected areas. The task force “strongly opposes simply rebuilding structures as they were before they were devastated by October’s historic storm.” August 2013
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March 2013, Prepared by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
The Infrastructure Report Card by ASCE analyzes how prepared (or not) the United States is for extreme weather, in various areas of its infrastructure, including as levees, bridges, and waterways. Spoiler alert: the overall grade is a D.
Beach-Stabilization is an important facet of extreme weather preparation, especially in terms of the economic value of property and tourism that occurs along the shores. This report by Richard Stockton and Steven Hafner of the College of New Jersey and the Coastal Research Center details the current state, the needs, and the possible responses to revitalizing New Jersey’s beaches so that they are resilient in the face of climate change.
North East Climate Change Impacts is a report put out by Climate Nexus that details the weather experience of the North East in the past few years in terms of temperature, sea-level rise, extreme storms and precipitation.
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The Climate Change Trends & Projections for New Jersey by Rutgers University and the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance provide a description of climate changes in New Jersey, including the past changes that have been documented from historical observations as well as expected changes based on projections of temperature, precipitation and sea level through the end of the century.
Disaster relief funding presents a key opportunity for state and local governments to rebuild in a manner that anticipates and responds to future changes in the climate. This report on the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 by the Georgetown Climate Center, analyzes whether state and local governments can spend these funds to adapt to impacts, such as sea-level rise, increased precipitation, and increased storm frequency and intensity.
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Do voters effectively hold elected officials accountable for policy decisions? Voters often reward officials who obtain funds AFTER an extreme weather event, but rarely reward officials who try to spend on preparedness beforehand. This study by Andrew Healy (of Loyola Marymount University), and Neil Malhorta of Stanford University) estimates that $1 spent on preparedness is worth about $15 in terms of the future damage it mitigates. By examining policy decisions and the consequences of those policies, this study provides more complete evidence about citizen competence and government accountability.
This report on Extreme Weather & Public Opinion by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication illustrates how most of us expect extreme weather to be a regular part of our lives, and the shifting public opinion around responding to the changes in climate and weather.