The New York Times

By ALAN FEUER

Published: November 3, 2012

Arriving in Venice years ago, Robert Benchley, the New York journalist and wit, is said to have sent a mock-panicked telegram to his editor: ”Streets flooded. Please advise.”

After the enormous storm last week, which genuinely panicked New York with its staggering and often fatal violence, residents here could certainly identify with the first line of Benchley’s note. But what about the second?

If, as climate experts say, sea levels in the region have not only gradually increased, but are also likely to get higher as time goes by, then the question is: What is the way forward? Does the city continue to build ever-sturdier and ever-higher sea walls? Or does it accept the uncomfortable idea that parts of New York will occasionally flood and that the smarter method is to make the local infrastructure more elastic and better able to recover?

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday gave a sea wall the nod. Because of the recent history of powerful storms hitting the area, he said, elected officials have a responsibility to consider new and innovative plans to prevent similar damage in the future. ”Climate change is a reality,” Mr. Cuomo said. ”Given the frequency of these extreme weather situations we have had, for us to sit here today and say this is once in a generation and it’s not going to happen again, I think would be shortsighted.” Click here to finish reading this article.

Copyright 2012 The New York Times Company

(Gerry Broome/AP)

For most New Yorkers, the recent Hurricane Sandy was a nightmare. Homes were destroyed, neighborhoods were deprived of electricity, heat, and fresh water. Unlike Hurricane Katrina about a year ago, Sandy was bigger, more violent, and caused more damage.

With hurricanes escalating in strength from the past year, we can’t help but go back to think that the climate change might be the cause of it. After the storm, architects, engineers and city planners are coming up with designs to deal with the future. Some suggested to use wetlands, some want to use oysters, and some others recommend bigger dams.

There is no doubt that the city will implement some of those plans, but just like putting a Band-Aid over a wound, would that heal the wound? Or should we use more resources to tackle the fundamental problem of those freaky weather, like “climate change” perhaps.

For the full article on the New York Times about the plans to protect the city from future storms, click here.

For the full article on the New York Times about the climate change, click here.

Please leave a comment and tell us how Sandy affected you.

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

The New York City Board of Health approved Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to ban soft drinks larger than 16 ounces, if all goes well, the ban would be in effect on March 12.

There have been researches on the relationship between sugary drinks and obesity, which led to the proposal and approval of the large soda ban. With obesity becoming ever so prevalent, it is important to take measures to prevent further damage.

The law would affect establishments that receive inspection grades from the health department, including movie theaters and sports stadiums. Convenience stores are exempt along with vending machines and newsstands.

The restriction does not extend to fruit juices, dairy-based drinks, alcoholic beverages, and no-calorie diet drinks.

For the complete article published on the New York Times, click here.

And check out our earlier post regarding the proposed ban.