New York City could be hit hard by climate change over the next century, new projections from the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) show.
According to NBC News, the 2015 report was released Tuesday and forecasts massive spikes in temperature and sea level. The sea level projections alone would be devastating to the city, as flood damage could surpass that caused by Hurricane Sandy.
"NPCC's findings underscore the urgency of not only mitigating our contributions to climate change, but adapting our city to its risks," NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press release. "The task at hand is daunting- and that is why we're making an unprecedented commitment, with a sweeping plan to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050, and a comprehensive, multi-layered resiliency plan that is already making neighborhoods safer. I'm grateful to the NPCC for their tireless work on this critical report, and look forward to partnering with NPCC3 as we continue to drive the science forward and ensure an even stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient New York City."
The panel projected the sea level around NYC to rise as much as six feet by the year 2100. By the 2080s, the average temperature could also rise nearly nine degrees Fahrenheit.
"The NPCC is a great example of how scientists and City decision-makers can work together to address increasing risks due to climate change," Cynthia Rosenzweig, NPCC co-chair, said in the release. "Higher temperatures and increased coastal flooding are the greatest risks. The NPCC highlights how the climate of New York City is already changing, as well how it is projected to change in the future. The Panel recommends setting up a climate change monitoring system, so that resilience measures can be adapted as changes continue through the coming decades."
