Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: A Local Solution to a Global Problem

Abstract

Local land use laws offer powerful tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation. However, notwithstanding New York municipalities’ many impressive efforts, local laws are not yet being utilized sufficiently to create disaster-resilient or disaster-adaptive communities. New York City has done substantially more than many other cities, including, critically, setting specific CO2 emissions reduction targets and amending zoning and building codes. But, in light of the evidence of climate change and its impacts, local decision makers, resource managers, and planners throughout the state must ask whether we are doing enough. Failure to do so will continue to be costly in terms of property and public health.

Note: Reprinted with permission from: Municipal Lawyer, Winter 2014, Vol. 28, No. 1, published by the New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Keywords: land use, climate change, disaster mitigation, adaptation, Super Storm Sandy, municipalities, hazard mitigation plan, planning and development