I ‘ve. Attended many conferences over the course of a month and have been inspired by the earnest desire to help those in need and a real attempt to form policies around the realization that ” climate change” will control our destiny whether we are prepared or not. WE NO LONGER HAVE THE LUXURY OF DEBATING THE “CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE”. Real change has happened along our northeastern coastline and 100,000’s of lives have been effected.
How long will it take to get back to a “new normal”, no one knows. THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED. SO MANY WERE EFFECTED. THE GOOD NEWS, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE LOSS OF LIFE , ONLY PROPERTY.
1. Do we rebuild as if nothing has happened?
2. Do we change building. Codes. Can we offer plans to Communities , purchase their homes and rebuild an entire Community farther back from the Beach?
3. How do we teach young children about the potential for being uprooted from their daily lives and have them become the messengers for change and community volunteerism. IF KIDS ARE EMPOWERED, THEY BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION.
4. It’ time to think energy efficiency, co- generation plants, green roofs; whatever is required to deal with the various surges in weather. HEAVY RAIN, HEAT, FLOODS, ETC.
5. How do we communicate with Citizens prior to and after a Storm, so that they believe a threat is real and take action accordingly?
6. Is there a way to designate safe places of refuge prior to the storm?
7. I understand that 12% of commercial office space remains uninhabitable, which is a potential economic concern to the City. Is there any way to utilize this space ?
8. Have we thought about Trauma centers for folks who have lost everything ?
Many questions can and should be raised over the coming months. ONE THING IS ESSENTIAL, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES US TO REBUILD, WE SHOULD NEVER LOSE OUR SENSE OF URGENCY, PEOPLE DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT TO GET THE JOB DONE.