Sustainability Infographic

Efforts

Worldwide

Impacts

Climate ChangeInfographic

This infographic highlights New York City's climate challenges, including rising sea levels and extreme weather, alongside mitigation efforts like renewable energy and flood defenses. It compares NYC’s situation to Venice, Italy, emphasizing global adaptation needs. Sources include NOAA and UNEP research

Sources

• Environmental Effects: NYC faces rising sea levels, frequent flooding, and extreme weather events like hurricanes. These threaten infrastructure, ecosystems, and natural habitats. Coastal erosion and habitat loss have become more pronounced in low-lying areas like Staten Island.
• Human Impact: Residents experience increased heatwaves, exacerbating health risks for vulnerable populations, especially seniors. Flooding damages homes disrupts transit, and affects water quality due to sewage overflows​
• Economic Impact: Flood-related damages, such as those caused by Hurricane Sandy, have cost billions, highlighting the financial strain on public services and infrastructure​

Climate Change Impacts in New York City

• Green Infrastructure: NYC has implemented rain gardens and permeable pavements to manage stormwater. The city’s “OneNYC” plan includes sustainability initiatives to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.
• Renewable Energy: Solar and wind energy investments aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYC also encourages energy-efficient building retrofitting.
• Flood Protection: Projects like the East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan aim to create barriers and enhance drainage systems to prevent flood damage.

Current Mitigation Efforts

• Venice, Italy: Like NYC, Venice is grappling with rising sea levels and flooding, endangering its historic architecture and economy. Seasonal "acqua alta" (high water) events are becoming more frequent.

• Effects on Neighboring Regions: Surrounding regions face disruptions in trade and travel due to NYC's climate vulnerabilities, much like Venice affects nearby European economies.
• Global Effects: Coastal cities worldwide are adopting similar resilience strategies, fostering global collaboration on technologies and policies to mitigate these impacts​

Similar Impacts Elsewhere

• UNEP (2022). Cities and Climate Change: Global Perspectives. Retrieved from UNEP’s Climate Action page. https://climate.mit.edu/

• NOAA (2024). Global Climate Impacts and Regional Adaptations. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Reports. https://www.noaa.gov/

Sources