How climate change impacts the built environment
Overview: This document from the EPA outlines the significant impacts of climate change on the built environment, emphasizing the vulnerability of existing infrastructure, potential disruptions to the economy and essential services, and threats to public health and quality of life. It highlights the disproportionate contribution of urban areas to greenhouse gas emissions and calls for proactive adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Key Themes and Ideas
Vulnerability of the Built Environment: The existing infrastructure in the U.S. was largely not designed to withstand the impacts of climate change, making it highly susceptible to damage from extreme weather events. "Most of the U.S. built environment was not designed with climate change in mind and is vulnerable to climate change." Aging infrastructure exacerbates the problem, leading to potential dam failures, bridge washouts, and overwhelmed sewer systems.
Economic Impacts: Climate change poses a significant threat to the economy, particularly in urban areas, which contribute a large portion of the U.S. GDP. Failure to address infrastructure issues related to climate change could cost the U.S. GDP up to $3.9 trillion by 2025, with impacts including "reduced goods production, lost trade, disrupted supply chains, fewer jobs, and lower wages."
Impacts on Essential Services: Extreme weather events can disrupt critical services like transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and telecommunications. For example, "extreme weather can cause power outages that disrupt transportation, interrupt supply chains, limit communication, and make it difficult for people to access health care." The report cites Hurricane Harvey in Houston as an example where 300,000 customers lost power, impacting essential services.
Threats to Public Health and Quality of Life: Climate change worsens existing challenges in cities and introduces new health risks. Impacts on air and water quality, coupled with extreme weather events, can lead to health problems and displacement. Vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk from extreme heat, air pollution, and food insecurity.
Urban Areas as GHG Contributors: Despite occupying a small percentage of land, cities are major producers of greenhouse gases. "Even though cities only occupy about 1% to 5% of the land in North America, they produce 80 percent of all the greenhouse gases on the continent."
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: The document emphasizes the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the built environment. Recommendations include:
Green Infrastructure: Implementing green roofs, greenways, and tree planting to reduce the urban heat island effect and absorb rainwater. "Green roofs provide shade, remove heat from the air, and provide many other benefits in urban areas."
Climate Action Plans: Developing comprehensive plans at the city level to identify vulnerabilities and reduce climate impacts.
Climate-Smart Building: Constructing infrastructure with resilience in mind, considering future climate projections and smart growth strategies.
Community Engagement: Prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations when planning climate adaptation measures, such as cooling centers and green spaces.
Coordination: Fostering collaboration among various agencies and sectors to address climate challenges effectively.
Key Facts & Figures
85% of Americans live in metropolitan areas.
Urban areas contribute 91% of the United States’ GDP.
Cities produce 80% of all the greenhouse gases on the continent.
Failure to address infrastructure issues related to climate change could cost the U.S. GDP up to $3.9 trillion by 2025.
Quotes
"Climate change affects cities differently depending on their location. Many cities are already dealing with multiple impacts from climate change."
"Most of the U.S. built environment was not designed with climate change in mind and is vulnerable to climate change."
"Extreme weather can cause power outages that disrupt transportation, interrupt supply chains, limit communication, and make it difficult for people to access health care."
"Even though cities only occupy about 1% to 5% of the land in North America, they produce 80 percent of all the greenhouse gases on the continent."
Conclusion
The EPA report paints a clear picture of the significant and multifaceted impacts of climate change on the built environment. It underscores the urgency of implementing proactive adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect infrastructure, the economy, and public health, particularly in urban areas. The document's call for green infrastructure, climate action plans, and community engagement provides a framework for building more resilient and sustainable cities in the face of a changing climate.
