Conclusions

Abstract

Much of the existing infrastructure in the United States was designed for the climatic conditions of the twentieth century, and most current engineering minimum design standards have not been updated to address the impact of recent and future climate change. This chapter focuses on the threats posed by future weather and climate extremes to US infrastructure, and provides an assessment of the infrastructure that will benefit most broadly from preventing a cascade of negative impacts. Methodologies are examined that may be used to prioritize adaptation measures to achieve the greatest benefits when time and financial resources are limited. The following overarching groups are considered with respect to their specific vulnerability issues: energy transmission, storage, and distribution; transportation; drinking water and wastewater; flood protection infrastructure; and navigation/ports and harbors.