Impacts of future weather and climate extremes on United States infrastructure : assessing and prioritizing adaptation actions

Auteur(s) :

Task Committee on Future Weather and Climate Extremes

Résumé

This crucial report examines the scientific details of global climate change impacts on US infrastructure. The report was commissioned by the Subcommittee on Future Weather and Climate Extremes under the auspices of the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Committee on Adaptation to a Changing Climate. Chapter 1 introduces terminology, then proceeds to general background concerning various meteorological extremes, e.g., drought and high temperatures. Chapter 3 considers infrastructural impacts in five key areas: energy, transportation, water/wastewater, flooding, and navigation. Each examines current vulnerability and rapidly approaching future consequences in light of increasingly extreme weather events and rapid environmental changes. An important feature is the highlighting of interdependencies among different infrastructural components, as shown by their respective reliance on the expected functionality of all other parts of the system to operate well. Final chapters offer possible considerations for prioritization and suggestions for further research. This text is nicely populated with supporting graphs and maps; the index is very helpful, and each chapter includes an extensive list of references. The report will be an important addition, and especially useful as an e-book reference, for any library actively collecting in the areas of civil engineering, urban planning and policy, environmental sustainability, and climate change.