Two Steps forward, one step back

Implementing green infrastructure may save America, but numerous people maintain various views on it. Some say it will be why America flourishes again, while others think we are incapable of implementing the technology. 

Across the U.S., we have struggled with preserving our infrastructure, and as a result, our infrastructure is severely outdated and needs a crucial overhaul. Back in March of 2021, Joe Biden, The President of the United States, introduced a Bipartisim Infrastructure Law that would devote one trillion dollars to upgrading America’s failing infrastructure. The Infrastructure law plans to focus on ten segments that would significantly help America. However, with the introduction of Biden’s Infrastructure Plan, Chris Edward believes we are going in the wrong direction.

Edwards acknowledges that Bidens Infrastructure is a realistic goal, but it would likely undermine efficiency even if a compromise were to occur. One of Edwards’s essential claims was that Bidens Infrastrutucute plan was unnecessary and a waste. He states that most of the spending would be on facilities owned by private sectors and states. Edwards also concluded that according to the National Conference of State Legislators or NCSl, since 2013, 33 states have enacted legislation to increase their gas taxes. 

Edwards also expresses that Bidens Infrastructure plan is not green. It was supposed to help mitigate climate change. He believes Biden took the wrong steps and needed to restrain consumer demand instead of offering incentives. 

Although Edwards claims Biden’s plan is a waste and unnecessary, James Mcbride, the author of “The State of U.S. Infrastructure,” believes it will reshape America. He states, 

” The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has compiled regular “report cards” on the state of U.S. infrastructure since the 1980s. In its 2021 report [PDF], the ASCE found that the nation’s infrastructure averaged a “C-,” up from a “D+” in 2017 and the highest grade in twenty years. Still, the group estimated that there is an “infrastructure investment gap” of nearly $2.6 trillion this decade that, if unaddressed, could cost the United States $10 trillion in lost GDP by 2039.” 

The revamping of America’s infrastructure is 100% needed and not deemed unnecessary and wasteful. Many citizens will prefer to pay more taxes if it guarantees that infrastructure will not pulverize beneath them. The United States Environmental Protection Agency shuts down the idea that green infrastructure presents “higher costs.” In the short term, design and construction will be higher than conventional pipes. Nevertheless, maintenance costs and upgrades could be significantly lower over time.

Edwards also states that Biden’s plan is not focused on greening the environment, which is inaccurate. While Biden may not focus directly on greening the environment, he is taking much-needed steps that other policymakers struggle to do. He has deliberately split it into ten segments to kickstart a movement that will hopefully change history. One of the segments receiving aid is upgrading pipes so they are no longer lead pipes. As we slowly inch towards a green infrastructure future, many authors, speakers, and politicians are trying to claim that we, as a whole, are just not ready for this tremendous undertaking. Chad Staddon is one of them. 

Chad Staddon, one of the many contributors to “Challenges of mainstreaming green infrastructure in built environments professions,” firmly believes that implementing green infrastructure across America is too soon, and many concerns exist.

Currently, there is significant uncertainty about how to go about planning, designing, implementing, and maintaining green infrastructure. Staddon’s first challenge discussed is design standards. After interviewing many managers, he discovered limited capacity regarding the design phase: the design phase needs more data and technical experience. Without data, towns and cities have difficulty devising a design that best suits their needs.  

Furthermore, regulations are a considerable challenge for towns and cities to incorporate green infrastructure within boundary lines. An example Staddon communicated was that few jurisdictions worldwide have a straightforward process for regulating green infrastructure, unlike fire protection. Legal arrangements must be established before any company steps in to build, so it eliminates confusion about long-term responsibilities and the maintenance commitment green infrastructure composes. Within the U.S., there are currently no federal mandates for green infrastructure for areas that are less vulnerable than coastal areas.

Staddon firmly believes that without data, the implementation of green infrastructure is incomprehensible. However, this is where he is wrong. In my Green Water Town proposal, this is a perfect scenario. Builders, contractors, and workers should be given free rein when introducing green infrastructure within their town or city. Of course, you have to follow all current local legislation, but that is where Staddon acknowledges there is an issue between contractors and legislators. Today, there is little legislation to obey, so contractors have difficulty picking up contracts for green projects because they are scared that something will go wrong. Staddon concludes,

“Mainstreaming G.I. in cities in the United States not only requires the voluntary participation of citizens but also a change in governance paradigms.-In some cases, G.I. implementation has been possible by orchestrating bespoke planning systems from different layers of government, as the “Sponge City” case from China illustrates. After experiencing severe flooding in 2012, with damage that amounted to $1.6 billion USD, the Central Government of China launched the Sponge City Pilot Programme.”

Legislators, politicians, and lawmakers should collaborate to make green infrastructure a reality. It should be something other than something we constantly go back and forth debating. This is our future talking about and, quite possibly, even our children. It should not be a question if green infrastructure is worth it. 

Since the birth of America, we have been installing innovative technology that runs our country. We have not stopped and looked back at what this technology is doing to our environment, and now the consequences are catching up to us. Green infrastructure should be rolled ferociously through America without question, and if, god forbid, someone tries to stop designers and creators from doing so, we must do whatever it takes to stop them. 

References:

Edwards, C. (2021, May 26). 10 Reasons to Oppose an Infrastructure Package. Cato.org. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://www.cato.org/commentary/10-reasons-oppose-infrastructure-package

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Overcoming Barriers to Green Infrastructure. EPA. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/overcoming-barriers-green-infrastructure

Kevin Pula, G. D. B. (2021, August 10). Recent Legislative Actions Likely to Change Gas Taxes. Recent legislative actions likely to change gas taxes. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/2013-and-2014-legislative-actions-likely-to-change-gas-taxes.aspx

McBride, J., & Siripurapu, A. (2021, November 8). The state of U.S. infrastructure. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/state-us-infrastructure

Staddon, C. (2019, June 12). Challenges of mainstreaming green infrastructure in Built Environment Professions. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09640568.2019.1605890

The United States Government. (2021, December 2). President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The White House. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/#cleanwater