Which wall should we build first?

Dear Editor,

The devastating hurricanes, Harvey and Irma have shown us how vulnerable we are.

They have also shown us how we must build protections into our infrastructure to account for the 100-year events that nature can hurl at us.

What is our current administration proposing to protect and preserve American lives? A border wall with a cost of $60 billion.

Aug. 17, the president signed an executive order to remove the design requirements needed for climate resilience measures in future public infrastructure projects including roads, bridges and water systems.

A week later, Harvey hit, overwhelming public infrastructure destroying property, taking lives and upturning livelihoods.

The climate is changing, just like it has over the millennia since the earth was formed.

Whether you believe that human activity is involved in the change or not, the change is happening and we need to be prepared.

We need to rebuild the lives and economy of Texas, Florida and the US possessions’ in the Caribbean.

What kind of a wall do Americans really need? Perhaps, sea walls and public works that can withstand what the changing climate will be throwing at us. Not the expensive border wall, that Trump always said Mexico would pay for.

Jayne Lyons

McCook, Nebraska