New York City, USA

Climate Change Impacts

Food insecurity:

The Hunts Point Food Distribution Center is one of NYC’s largest food distributors (over
4.5 billion pounds per year) and is susceptible to flooding due to climate change.
Severe weather events like heat waves or heavy rain interrupts the food supply chain in NYC.
NYC profusely gets its food from an export source.

Interrupts daily transits:

Coastal Storm Surge floods subway stations and tunnels
Causes power outages which leads to halt in subway services

Tree species vulnerability:

Many trees in NYC have a low adaptability score which means they are vulnerable to
compound urban stressors.

Delayed Spring Cycles:

Warmer winters mean trees aren't getting the chilling hours they
need to properly transition out of dormancy.
Many tree types die out as they can't withstand the intense heat and dryness for an extended period.

Case Study

Environmental Problem

Wildfires
- Brush fires within the park.
- Burns many acres of natural land, slowly destroying the park.
Soil erosion
- Causes soil compaction.
- The topsoil is extremely vulnerable to erosion during heavy rain.
Invasive vegetation
- Blocks sunlight from reaching the saplings
- Fighting native species for vital resources.

How do climate-change-induced problems impact me?

Extreme heat waves
Flash floodings
Increase in pest and pathogens.

The Inwood Hill Park in the most northern part of Manhattan is a prehistoric living piece of New York City. However, it is constantly being damaged by wetland degradation and urban heat, both
of which are linked to climate change.

Why is Inwood Hill Park important?

The park preserves the only primeval forest and natural salt marsh in NYC, serving as a living museum of New York City’s original ecology.
It contains many native tree species like spicebush, sassafras, and aromatic plants.

Solutions!!

What Can I Do?

Cut down on extensive use of air conditioning.
Reduce food waste and water.
Join Local Organisations
- Citizens’ Climate Lobby
- NYC Environmental Justice Alliance.
[Specific climate change/ environmental celebration event in your region]

New Solutions as of June, 2026

Switch to heat pumps as an energy source
Use electrical vehicles instead of gas powered vehicles.
Use reusable manufactures instead of plastic.

New Organizations to Join!

NYC Parks Stewardship Program
Queens Botanical Program
NY Renews

Learn More about NYC

Sources

https://nysclimateimpacts.org/explore-by-region/new-york-city/
https://forestadaptation.org/assess/ecosystem-vulnerability/urban/new-york-city
https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/inwood-hill-park
https://citylore.org/places/inwood-hill-park/