In 2017, 350 people died from wildfires, floods, cyclones, and other extreme weather events in the U.S.
The government needs to do more to protect Americans from these events, which are becoming more deadly due to climate change, experts say. Weather disasters are also becoming increasingly costly.
Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma, along with wildfires and other weather disasters cost the nation a record $306 billion in 2017, which was the third warmest year on record. Government action to shore up infrastructure, homes, and businesses is critical because damaging weather events are becoming more frequent, says a professor at the University of Alaska's Institute of Arctic Biology.
Harbors, bridges, power plants, and other key infrastructure in vulnerable states, such as California, Alaska and Texas, need better protection from extreme weather. Roads, sewer systems, and train routes across the country are also likely to suffer as the climate changes.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2016
Green Bond Guidelines for the Real Estate Sector updated
The market growth is a signal of future opportunities.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2016
What top-ranked energy efficiency states are doing right on codes, utility mandates
Calif., and Mass., use aggressive targets to lead nation.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2016
New cross-laminated timber fire tests back proponents of high-rise wood structures
'Demonstrating for the first time the feasibility of tall mass timber buildings in the U.S.’
Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2016
ASCE issues first tsunami-safe building standards
The new standards will become part of international building code.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2016
Making concrete greener
The high energy-consuming material can be made more sustainably.
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2016
Historic preservation moving beyond saving grand old buildings
National Trust for Historic Preservation CEO says the focus is on saving cities, not just buildings
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2016
Los Angeles voters will decide whether high-density developments should be harder to build
A March vote on the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative would put 2-year ban on zoning changes
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2016
New sustainable landscape development and management credential launched
GBCI offered the first testing opportunity Oct. 3 at Greenbuild
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2016
Obama administration will spend $80 million for smart cities initiatives
The technology is targeted for climate, transportation, resiliency.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2016
New York City files criminal charges on owner for deadly building façade accident
The owner allegedly did not heed warning about danger of the crumbling exterior.
