Time for Annapolis to answer climate wake-up call

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy best summed up Hurricane Ida aftermath: “We have a playbook which is not up to date. We must immediately develop plans to reflect the reality of climate change.”

Ida made clear the existing infrastructure is insufficient, built on past assumptions. We cannot rely on it to protect our cities from climate change.

Two new and essential components are necessary. Immediate investment in climate resilience infrastructure to mitigate the growing impacts faced in vulnerable coastal areas, such as Louisiana, New Jersey and Annapolis. While financial costs are huge, the monetary and human losses from inaction are even greater. The other necessary component is immediate action to phase out our fossil fuel-based economy, which is driving climate change.

Substantial actions on both these fronts can and should be undertaken here Annapolis. The framework for this work exists: Annapolis Ahead 2040, a comprehensive plan now being drafted.

The question is, has Ida shaken up the administration sufficiently to redo the plan so as to prioritize climate resilience infrastructure and carbon reduction measures. These should be overriding themes. Current land use, building and transportation practices must integrate resilience and fossil fuel usage. The city also must commit to substantial reduction of its own fossil fuel use and provide education and a range of incentives to help citizens move more effectively to reduce their carbon footprint.

We have warned for decades about climate change. It is here and creating worse impacts than predicted. There is a huge implementation gap between the threats we face and actions we must take. Will Ida be the wake-up call for the powers needed to turn Annapolis around? I sure hope so. This is a wonderful town and worth fighting to save for future generations.