Abbey Abramson

Climate flood control infrastructure integrity Concrete That Crumbles: Infrastructure Integrity Under Climate Stress Why engineering integrity is a life-safety issue Picture this: a family living by the river wakes up at midnight to the sound of rushing water. Panic sets in as they evacuate, chilled by rising floodwaters and uncertainty. Their home, once a safe haven, is now threatened by both natural disasters and hidden infrastructure flaws. In emergencies, survival hinges on details often ignored: rebar spacing, concrete strength, riprap thickness, culvert size, pump capacity, and whether the O&M crew greased a bearing last week. Climate change is driving heavier downpours and more frequent floods (IPCC, 2023). When these hazards meet weak, poorly maintained assets, manageable disasters turn deadly. In short, corners cut today become deaths tomorrow (IPCC, 2021; 2023). To navigate these risks, this chapter first translates "engineering integrity" into plain language. ...

  Climate change flood control structures Case Study: Philippines flood-control structures—substandard materials and duplicate contracts In 2024–25, the Philippines confronted an extraordinary scandal over flood-control projects. Following internal and external reviews, media and official statements alleged ghost projects, substandard works, contractor monopolies, and copy-paste budgets across hundreds of contracts. While these events highlight a significant case of corruption, they also represent a missed opportunity for the nation to pursue resilient development and infrastructure growth. The improper conduct not only led to immediate negative consequences, such as a cabinet resignation, procurement suspensions, and blacklisting moves (Reuters, September 2025; GMA News, September 2025; ABS-CBN, October 2025) but also detracted from long-term potential improvements in disaster resilience, economic stability, and community safety. By framing this episode as a significant loss in ac...

  Case snapshots to anchor the journey (Philippines, Bangladesh, India) These brief vignettes foreshadow deeper dives in later chapters: Philippines — River dikes and barangay drainage Community monitors in multiple provinces have documented telltale signs of “value engineering” that quietly weakens structures: thinner wing walls, under-compacted backfill, and missing riprap. Post-typhoon inspections reveal early erosion where specifications were shaved. Independent integrity initiatives (open posting of project cards, community scorecards) have helped identify fixes before failure—evidence that civic oversight, when invited in, pays off. (We’ll connect these observations to IPCC-consistent increases in extreme rainfall intensity in Chapter 5.)  Bangladesh — Cyclone shelter retrofits and char-land forestry In coastal districts, the difference between a well-maintained shelter and a neglected one is the difference between safety and tragedy. Maintenance committees with transpar...

Adapt or Perish in Climate Change: Innovative Solutions to Thrive Amid Emergency for a Sustainable Future The climate emergency , the defining challenge of the 21st century, is upon us with unprecedented global temperature rises. Humanity is at a stark crossroads: adapt or face irreversible damage within decades. This climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality. The scientific consensus is clear ( IPCC, 2021 ). Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss disrupt ecosystems and societies, indicating a need for transformative solutions. At the heart of this crisis lies the dual imperative of survival and progress. While adaptation to changing conditions is essential, thriving in the face of adversity requires innovation, resilience, and a unified global effort. This book explores how humanity can weather the climate storm and seize opportunities to build a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future. It is not just about individual...