EPA lays out need for resilient infrastructure as climate change, rising seas pose threat

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Environmental Protection Agency says climate change coupled with rising ocean levels will require coastal buildings to be moved inland.

The EPA put out a report Thursday saying homes like the ones at Rocky Point on Oahu’s North Shore will need to be deconstructed and rebuilt as climate change generates more frequent natural disasters.

The report also says communities should recycle and reuse storm debris to keep them out of landfills, which produce methane gas.

“Planning now to reduce disaster debris through resilient design, reuse, recycling, and composting can better protect vulnerable communities, support equitable disaster recovery and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.

More than 100 experts contributed to the report, urging local governments to update their policies to focus on developing resilient affordable housing and debris management infrastructure.

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