Creation of a Department of Sustainability and Climate Change and Repealing - Summer

Team Members: Jenisha Shrestha, Elena Belletti, Junde He, Milo McBride, Daniella Simari, Nuvodita Singh, Corissa Steiner, Baihe Wang, Jiaqi Wang, Yuanyuan Wang, Urko Diez Webster

New York City faces increasing climate risks, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, and more frequent extreme weather events. These impacts threaten infrastructure, public health, and economic stability in one of the world’s largest coastal cities. Fragmented governance has limited coordination across agencies, reducing the effectiveness of climate adaptation and sustainability initiatives. Establishing a centralized department would strengthen policy coordination, improve long-term planning, and ensure sustained focus on climate resilience.

A dedicated department would oversee climate adaptation strategies, implement sustainability policies, and track progress using measurable performance indicators. Analysis highlights the importance of combining engineered solutions, such as seawalls and expanded drainage infrastructure, with nature-based approaches including green roofs, bioswales, and coastal restoration. These strategies reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and strengthen flood protection. Establishing centralized leadership would improve accountability, enable strategic investment, and accelerate implementation of climate adaptation measures. Strengthening institutional capacity would position New York City to better manage climate risks and protect long-term environmental and economic stability. 

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.