The future for New York City and much of the financial district and other centers of economic power is centered on "living with water." I'm sure the folks who make millions of dollars each year as individuals are not focused on protecting their physical properties from another Super Storm Sandy type of event--since how often does that really happen? They are busy making money and focused on quarterly profits, not how high the sea level might be by the end of this century. Most are thinking, "I'll be dead, I need to work on what's important to me now."
Such short term thinking is sure to doom New York to a watery grave in the not too-distant future. Time and Mother Nature don't care that much about quarterly profits. I've written before about how "retreating" from New York is not a totally viable solution. Building in protection that goes beyond a single wall, but also the individual buildings that are still going up is more realistic and affordable, should people have the "mid-range" vision to act now while you still have time on your side.
It will likely take another event like Sandy in the near term to get people's attention. If it doesn't happen for another 20 years, those who experienced Sandy will think it another fluke event. Flooding at high tide is another attention-grabber. Generally folks need to be hit upside the head with a board before they get the picture of what is happening gradually to their community and planet.
