On the other side of the world, there is another Inner Harbor — a narrowing area of water leading to the city, part of a larger bay that faces the ocean. Today the people by that harbor in the Philippines are suffering from lack of food and water, their homes and businesses have been badly damaged or destroyed, and their future is uncertain.
Our harbor is quiet and serene, if a bit murky, and has remained so throughout this year’s hurricane season. However, planners here in the city have been working steadily to prepare for a Baltimore that may be a great deal more chaotic and dangerous. The greater Chesapeake may not historically have suffered significantly from tropical storms, but the consensus among weather-watchers is that history is no longer the great predictor it once was.
On this side of the world, just to our north, another similar coastline traces Far Rockaway Beach, in Queens, where recovery efforts are still underway from damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The impact of Sandy is far-reaching in New York and New Jersey in particular, and has caused residents and politicians alike to plan for a very different future, one that requires them to be prepared for a far wider variety of effects from the ocean and the atmosphere. Cold winters with plenty of snow are still likely in New York, but Sandy has awoken us to the possibility of far less benevolent summers and falls.
A common theme among natural disasters is that the greatest suffering falls on the poor, sick, and fragile because they already find themselves in less safe housing, with little or no insurance, and falling through a tattered safety net. When these elements are combined with a vulnerable geographic position, there is a great deal of danger for the population. When municipal supports fall away and housing is damaged, this danger often comes in the form of public health threats, both from disease and exposure to the elements.
This is an important moment for us to reflect, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner, that we were spared a hit by Sandy, and to send our best wishes to those currently in dire straits in the Philippines. When events over a certain magnitude occur, there is a need for far greater resources than individuals can provide, and thus aid groups and governments are essential. If you are moved to donate, my understanding is that money is the most effective donation.
We can take some comfort here that the geography of Baltimore has important built-in safety features, namely the relatively rapid increase in elevation that would protect most areas north of Fayette Street; and the meandering vastness of the Chesapeake, which would absorb some of the storm surge if a hurricane were to make landfall in D.C./Baltimore. But the broader picture is bleak. This week, the United Nations Climate Conference kicked off it’s ten day set of talks, negotiations, and events in Warsaw. National Geographic referred to a tone of “realism” on the part of the negotiators — in other words, don’t hold your breath for a solution to climate change from an international group of nations.
This caused a bit of a crisis for me, and I wallowed for a brief time over the futility of it all. However, I felt better after recalling some of the many stories about the revitalization of cities — how Generations X through iPhone (or whatever we’re calling the kids these days) have a greater interest in urban living, access to public transportation, art and music — and are driving the redesign and resurgence of American cities.
We now see citizens demanding bike lanes and green spaces, prioritizing community, and opening and supporting small businesses. This wave of social change has the power to influence even the insulated green towers of the United Nations Climate Conference, at least in theory, but it will take time. The drastic change in driving habits has forced industry to change, and the same is becoming true for architecture and urban planning as well.
The responses to Sandy, Katrina, and Haiyan are political reactions. These reactions are guided by the policies of elected officials. In order to effect change, civic engagement is essential beyond the voting booth. If the prospect of another superstorm truly concerns us, then the health of the harbor could be a target for this engagement. Speaking with your friends and neighbors at a community meeting, taking a more global view can help put things into perspective: instead of cursing the ‘Rain Tax,’ your colleagues could be encouraged to understand that the fees are directed to the Harbor, and thus economic, ecological, and physical safety.
Finally, despite Hipster Trickle Down Complacency, remember that your dollars are your votes. The policies we support or reject in the voting booth often make little difference, but the values we support or reject with our dollars mean a great deal. Observe the use of the word “fresh” or the phrase “gluten free,” both largely unimpressive marketing strategies a decade or two ago, and now central or growing components of many major food, beverage, and hospitality brands. Your money IS your vote, and your beliefs.
What are you voting for, and what do you believe?
