Infrastructure

The term “infrastructure” covers many aspects of our lives, from delivery routes for everyday necessities to local transportation and international travel. As people become more and more aware of climate change and its effects, they also consider how infrastructure changes can lessen or even eliminate some of the human causes of global warming. Switching from car travel to public transport, from diesel trucks to cleaner fuels, or from truck transport to freight trains can make a huge difference in a region’s carbon dioxide emissions. But these changes also require improved public transport systems, a better network of clean fuel stations, and an expanded system of train tracks. Because these improvements can be expensive, governments and corporations need to decide on the most effective investments that combine reduced carbon dioxide emissions with excellent transportation access for industries in their regions.

Singapore Port

Infrastructure researchers at Ohio State University and other institutions are studying the various challenges climate change presents to city planners and civil engineers in the Great Lakes region and beyond, and they are drawing some interesting conclusions along the way. This area of ChangingClimate.osu.edu aims to introduce the public to their findings, provide information about upcoming public events where researchers speak about their results, and offer additional resources to those wanting to learn more about how local, national and international organizations are trying to manage a growing global problem that is already affecting Ohio and its neighboring states.

Resources

1.
WICCI Stormwater Working Group Report

Water management includes a wide variety of concerns, from stormwater and sewage management to flood prevention and clean drinking water. This report summarizes how water management that is traditionally based on historical data needs to be updated to account for a changing climate, and suggests strategies for government officials and city engineers in providing an updated infrastructure to prevent flooding and water contamination.

Download this resource.

2.
Port Asset Values and Economic Impacts

This paper presents a matrix model that estimates the cost of building and maintaining harbor structures and other maritime industry developments in coastal communities. The model can also be used to suggest the economic impact of a changing climate on communities that depend on maritime industries and coastal recreation for much of their income.

Download this resource.

Topics

Infrastructure Presentations

  • 2010-11-02
    Dr. Brent Sohngen

    Ohio State University
    Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Great Lakes Farms and Forests. Read more.