The number of resources to human ratio on earth demonstrates we are running on a shortage of natural resources (Dickerson, 1992). This topic has caught the attention of plenty of American citizens and we can see the effects of it because of new developments. Green energy programs have arisen over the last decade, cars are beginning to run on electricity instead of gas, appliances are being made energy efficient and companies are beginning to make their goods with recycled materials. However, it seems that no matter how many decades scientist spend discussing global warming and showing proof that the sea levels will rise due to global warming, Americans just don’t seem to believe it as much as they believe that our resources are running short.
An Article written by Justin Gillis from the New York Times called “Flooding of Coast, Caused by Global Warming, Has Already Begun” discusses how the rise of sea levels as a result of global warming has already begun. The state of Louisiana experienced a major flood this past summer that is a direct result of the rise of the sea levels rising and the aftermath of what happens on the states near the coast (Gillis, 2016). Other states like Florida are also feeling the impacts (Gillis, 2016). The Obama administration has been pushing for reforms that would incorporate a detailed climate plan, states like Virginia have been given grants from the federal government to aide neighbors like that of Chesterfield Heights, VA (Gillis, 2016). The grant was for the amount of $100 million dollars (Gillis, 2016). Unfortunately, this much money will only cover a single neighborhood (Gillis, 2016). Ideally, the states along the coastline would all begin to implement programs to improve flood walls, pumps and roads, however there is not sufficient to support to help with funding the billions of dollars that this would require (Gillis, 2016). Congress does not approve the efforts of climate change programs and therefore, the Obama administration seems to lack support that could have further aided this generation in the fight against global warming.
“Shifts in the Pacific Ocean mean that the West Coast, partly spared over the past two decades, may be hit hard, too. These tidal floods are often just a foot or two deep, but they can stop traffic, swamp basements, damage cars, kill lawns and forests, and poison wells with salt.” (Gillis, 2016). We have to consider the aftermath of these events occurring throughout many states along the coast, what would happen if the states along the west had to suddenly evacuate because their homes were located in areas that were condemned due to high tides? Certainly, this is putting things in an extreme “what if” scenario, but under the slightest chance that this could become real circumstances, I believe that the issue of global warming should be taken more seriously by congress and by Americans. The events that occurred with hurricanes and floods in the south this summer are clear eye openers that as Justin Gillis stated “this is happening now”. If we don’t take action now, I only wonder, what would be of future generations? The cost of funding for programs that would help fight against sea levels rising is high, however, the cost of potentially loosing states to the ocean is higher.
References
Gillis, J. (2016, September 4). Flooding of coast, caused by global warming, has already begun. Science. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/science/flooding-of-coast-caused-by-global-warming-has-already-begun.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fearth&action=click&contentCollection=earth®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0
Dickerson, C.A., Thibodeau, R., Aronson, E., & Miller, D. (1992). Using cognitive dissonance to encourage water conservation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 22. 841-854.
After reading your post, I can agree that we don’t talk about these issues as much as we should. When I was younger, if you talked about the environment you were laughed at and called names like tree hugger or hippie. People often make fun of what they don’t understand and I think this is one of those topics. For me it wasn’t until recently that I realized the importance of these issues. It scares me because I think about my children’s future and what kind of planet are we leaving them.
I think the biggest issue with this topic is people wonder, while I’m just one person, what can I do that makes an impact? So what ends up happening is they do nothing because they feel that their little effort will have no significance. Sure, a lot of globing warming is “what if” but in realty we are being effected by it right now and everyday it is getting worse. Why aren’t we hearing more about globing warming and less about the Kardashians?
What you said at the end of post kept staying in my head. What would be of future generations, seriously? I also think that the issue of global warming should be taken much more seriously than ever before by Americans, perhaps all the people in the world. Global climate change has already sent danger signals to us. We already know that there are observable effects on the environment. Ice on rivers and lakes is breaking apart earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted, trees and flowers are blooming sooner, and glaciers have shrunk. Yes, our planet is not like before. The damage costs of climate change will be significant and to increase over time as Nasa explained. Environmental signs are clear and it’s our turn to react.
Nasa. (2016). Facts. In Effects: The consequences of climate change. Retrieved from http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
Your blog caught my attention instantly. For starters I am a health nut, in addition I am lactose intolerant and I am an almond milk drinker. However, I never really took to account the water issue going behind this new health craze. I always wondered how they got milk out such a dry food. However, now I see the science behind it. I agree that intervention to this environmental issue would be of great help to raise awareness. I did not know about this until I read your blog, and it doesn’t seem that the media or anyone is really focusing on this issue. People take water supply for granted it seems and that should not be the case.