America Has a Hot-Steel Problem
Rising temperatures due to climate change are damaging U.S. infrastructure, prompting engineers to update building codes and prioritize critical systems while addressing significant economic and ecological concerns.
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The increasing heat due to climate change is significantly impacting America's infrastructure, particularly railways, roads, and power lines. As temperatures rise, steel expands, leading to potential warping and buckling of train tracks. Solutions to mitigate these effects include slowing down trains, leaving gaps in tracks, and painting them white to reflect heat, though these measures may result in slower travel and require frequent maintenance. High temperatures also affect bridges and roads, causing them to buckle, while power lines struggle to deliver electricity under heat stress, exacerbating demand during peak usage times. To address these challenges, engineers are urged to incorporate climate projections into building codes, which currently rely on historical data. The American Society of Civil Engineers is working to update these codes, but adoption varies by local governments. Experts suggest that rather than attempting to fortify all existing infrastructure, a more practical approach would be to prioritize critical systems and design for resilience, accepting that some failures may be inevitable. The cost of adapting infrastructure to withstand rising temperatures is a significant concern, as is the potential for biodiversity loss and food security issues. Ultimately, while engineering solutions can help, they may not fully address the broader ecological challenges posed by climate change.
- Rising temperatures are causing significant issues for U.S. infrastructure, particularly railways and power lines.
- Engineers are encouraged to incorporate climate projections into building codes to enhance resilience.
- Solutions to infrastructure challenges include slowing trains and painting tracks, but these may lead to slower travel and increased maintenance.
- Prioritizing critical systems and designing for resilience is seen as a more practical approach than fortifying all infrastructure.
- The economic implications of adapting infrastructure to climate change are substantial, raising concerns about biodiversity and food security.
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