How the Global Climate Change Crisis Impacts Ports
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Authors
Kenley, Riley
Issue Date
2025-04-03
Type
Language
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Abstract
Description
Society is facing the consequences of continuously disregarding the effects of carbon
emissions on the health of our atmosphere and planet through our modern industrial
practices. This disregard is potentially complicating the global climate change crisis we
are experiencing today. Society is dependent on these industrial practices in every aspect
of life. One prime example is our global trading practices which supplies people across
the world through the supply chain with daily necessities. In our interconnected world we
get these necessities from countries divided by entire oceans, which has led to an
increasing dependency on sea trade and ports. The global climate change crisis directly
threatens ports both physically and economically, causing the infrastructure and
operations to be challenged in ways they currently are unfit for.
Port infrastructure can be directly impacted in a variety of ways. One of the most
detrimental threats to ports is rising sea level. Rising seas threaten both land-based port
infrastructure and overhead obstacles, such as bridges and powerlines. Climate change
has also caused an increase and change in storm frequency and intensity, storm surge,
coastal flooding, ocean currents, and oceanography. Lastly, a changing climate has caused
changes in rainfall, hydrology, and land runoff patterns. All of these factors are creating
challenges for ports and call for the need of adaptation strategies to protect port
resiliency. Ports are facing major economic challenges caused by climate change. These
challenges can both affect the port's finances and global consumers. Some of the greatest
economic burdens ports face are increased dredging, repairs, and infrastructure
improvements. Consumers can also be affected through inflation and scarcity of products
due to delayed port operations.
With these major challenges ports are now facing, it is urgent that U.S. policy makers and
the government begin to heavily invest and write policy to support building resiliency
among our nation's ports. Currently, there is a lack of action towards making progress in
adapting to the impacts of climate change, and instead a heavy focus on mitigating ports
contribution to climate change.