Hot subways to floods, all part of NYC climate risk

NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday announced an in-depth study of perils the city faces from climate change, ranging from overly hot subways to shoreline floods.

With 506 days left before his second and final term ends, Bloomberg is eager to cement his legacy by shoring up the city’s finances and devising long-term plans.

“There are costs to adapting to climate change … By planning now, we can reduce our exposure to weather-related events,” the mayor told reporters.

A task force charged with safeguarding all of the city’s roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, water and sewer lines, and power and telecommunications systems will begin with an inventory. It will then forecast and report on the local impact of climate change and devise safeguards, he said.

Reuters