Environment

Almost half of the population of US, including our largest cities face serious floods caused by a “triple threat” of sea-level rise, storm surge and heavy rainfall, according to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The combination of these phenomena can potentially result in “compound flooding” that can devastate several low-lying, densely populated coastal areas inside the country.

This is the first scientific study to explore the connection between the primary and secondary effects of climate change. This means that without a drastic rise in sea levels, frequent severe floods and storms will bring the effects of climate change right into coastal cities, where nearly 40 percent of the American population now lives.

Since 1880, global temperatures have risen by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. And, over the last 100 years, the global average sea level has risen by seven inches. This increase is likely to accelerate as Antarctica’s floating ice shelves continue to melt.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that at the Department’s insistence, air bag manufacturer Takata has acknowledged that a defect exists in its air bag inflators. Takata has agreed to a national recall of certain types of driver and passenger side air bag inflators. These inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and has led to ruptures that have been blamed for six deaths worldwide. The action expands the number of vehicles to be recalled for defective Takata inflators to nearly 34 million.

This is National Infrastructure Week in the US. Do you believe this ridiculous irony?

Derailment on the busiest rail corridor in America, deteriorating roads and highways, while bridges and ports are crumbling as a result of a severe lack of commitment and Congress not doing their jobs.

Transportation funding has been shortchanged for years and our growth investment continues to dwindle. A $478-billion funding measure to shore up our transportation infrastructure, which experts agree is in dire need of modernization.

The New York City Departments of Sanitation, Transportation, and Emergency Management have issued a Weather Update. Black ice may create travel hazards into Sunday.

As temperatures drop below freezing areas of black ice are possible on walk ways and untreated surfaces. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling tonight and drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.