Climate Change and Infrastructure

According to the National Research Council (NRC) and others, infrastructure such as roads and bridges, wastewater systems, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) centres are vulnerable to changes in the climate. Changes in precipitation and sea levels, as well as increased intensity and frequency of extreme events, are projected by NRC and others to impact infrastructure in a variety of ways. When the climate changes, infrastructure -- typically designed to operate within past climate conditions -- may not operate as well or for as long as planned, leading to economic, environmental, and social impacts. This book examines the impacts of climate change on roads and bridges, wastewater systems, and NASA centres; the extent to which climate change is incorporated into infrastructure planning; factors that enabled some decision makers to implement adaptive measures; and federal efforts to address local adaptation needs, as well as potential opportunities for improvement.