Ep 1. New York

Sinking Cities is a compelling documentary series that follows major coastal cities around the globe as they face the threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns due to climate change. Season 1 of the series features four episodes that explore the devastating impact of climate change in New York, London, Tokyo, and Miami.

In the first episode, titled "New York," the series takes an in-depth look at the city's vulnerability to coastal flooding and other impacts of climate change. The episode begins by examining the highly populated waterfront areas of New York, including the financial district, which is crucial to the city's economy. Guillaume Pitron, a French investigative journalist, is the presenter for this episode. He has a team of experts with him to provide an in-depth analysis of New York's response and readiness against rising sea levels.

The first topic discussed in the episode is the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Category 3 storm caused over $70 billion worth of damage in the state, making it the second-costliest hurricane in US history after Hurricane Katrina. The episode delves into the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, revealing the city's shortcomings in preparing for extreme weather incidents.

The episode features interviews with experts and residents who recount their experiences during the storm, with harrowing images of destruction and displacement. The documentary explores how the city's infrastructure failed during the storm, including its subway system and power grid. Moreover, the documentary explains the state-of-the-art coastal engineering initiatives taken by the city to protect itself from future storm surges.

The episode then moves to explore the broader issue of global warming and the impact of sea-level rise on the city. New York has the largest land area below the projected high tide line of any city in the United States, making it particularly vulnerable to coastal flooding. Pitron and his team explore how climate change is affecting New York and its environs, including the rising sea levels and subsidence. Experts debate the possibilities of another Sandy-like storm.

In the next segment of the episode, the focus shifts to the city's waterfront parks and recreational areas. The episode explains how the city is using innovative design strategies to protect these spaces from erosion and rising sea levels. For example, the city has installed artificial reefs, oyster beds, and wetlands that absorb floodwater, providing a natural shield against future storm surges.

The docuseries also explores how the city's architecture and buildings are changing to adapt to rising sea levels. Experts reveal ways in which the city's skyscrapers are being retrofitted with new technologies to withstand and adapt to sea-level rise. The conclusive part of the episode also sheds light upon how old building codes are being challenged and updated to ensure future buildings are predictive of rising sea levels.

In the end, the episode concludes on a positive note. It highlights the many steps that the city of New York has taken to prepare itself for the future, including the Mayor Bill de Blasio's ambitious $10 billion plan to protect all five boroughs from the threat of rising sea levels. This initiative is an example of how cities can take proactive measures to adapt to the changing climate and protect their residents from the effects of natural disasters caused by climate change.

Overall, episode 1 of Sinking Cities--New York--is an eye-opening documentary that explores the complex environmental and social issues of climate change and its impact on our cities. With expert analysis and personal stories, the episode provides a detailed examination of the causes and effects of sea-level rise in one of the world's most iconic cities. It highlights the urgent need for cities and states to take action against the threat of rising sea levels and ultimately prompts viewers to consider how we can collectively respond to the challenges of climate change.