The Army Corps and NYC criticized for ignoring local voices in climate resilience efforts
New York City’s environmental justice activists are frustrated by the lack of input in climate resilience projects, saying the Army Corps often focuses too much on protecting real estate and storm surge rather than broader flood risks.
Lauren Dalban reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Activists say the Army Corps overlooks the specific needs of vulnerable communities when designing flood protection plans.
- Local groups argue that wealthier areas receive more attention and funding, while low-income neighborhoods are ignored.
- Some communities have developed their own climate resilience strategies, though implementation remains a challenge.
Key quote:
“Wealthy communities, when worse comes to worse, they can get themselves out of this problem on their own—they have the money to protect themselves.”
— Victoria Sanders, climate and health manager, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
Why this matters:
Local voices are vital for creating effective, fair climate resilience plans. Without incorporating community input, flood protection efforts risk deepening existing inequalities.
Read more: Opinion: Finding climate solutions in communities instead of labs
