Climate Changed
New York City Planners With Sandy Nightmares Say Barrier May Come Too Late
- Similar barriers protect New Orleans and Holland from storms
- Skeptics cite costs and enviromental impacts of such projects
The Coming Storm of Climate Change
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The warming Atlantic Ocean has raised the risk of another Hurricane Sandy. And still, trillions of dollars of real estate and infrastructure near the shores of New York City and northern New Jersey remain vulnerable to devastation.
A storm-surge barrier similar to those in Louisiana and parts of Europe might protect the area, but politicians have questioned its $30 billion cost, effectiveness and environmental impact. A group of scientists, planners and property owners is urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accelerate its study of the project. It may take another hurricane to speed up the process.