Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Rebuilding after hurricane Ian?

I just heard that it might take $60 billion to rebuild the Florida area just stricken by hurricane Ian and was wondering how the rebuilding will be done and who ultimately will pay for it (I know, all of us taxpayers and insurance policy holders). 

In my view, any plan that addresses reconstruction should be done with having an eye on the future and should at least target year 2100 if not later. This means that in the current, moderate scenario offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), next century’s seal level might rise by at around 2.5 feet if the current trend continues and by more than 6.5 feet in their highest hypothesis.

This doesn’t factor in water surge during hurricanes that would significantly amplify the catastrophe. 

So, based on only that, shouldn’t public policies be concerned about rebuilding too close to the shore or right on the ocean front, heightening home by means of stilts, replacing asphalt and concrete areas by greenery as well as raising vehicles and other users roadways? 

That wouldn’t be popular, might cost a lot of money upfront, but not in the long run, could save lives and would be a much smarter to manage recurring weather events like hurricanes in a fast changing climate…

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