Molly Culton
Dara O’Rourke/Laney Siegner 103
Environmental Justice
16 April 2015
Climate Justice in the United States
Climate change has been called “the biggest problem of the 21st century” by many scientists and government officials alike. Many classes at the university level cover some aspect of this complex and multifaceted problem. From the human rights that are at risk due to rising sea levels and food shortages to the environmental, geographical, and intergenerational inequities resulting from increasing greenhouse gas emissions; climate change is a serious and complex issue with little agreement on how to solve it. In this paper, I will analyze the impacts of climate change in the country that contributes most to the problem:
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This may not sound like much, but when one considers that the global temperature during the last Ice Age 7,000 years ago was only 5 or 6 degrees Celsius colder than it is today, then the numbers are pretty frightening (Freese). Sea level rise is another area of concern for scientists and the global community with respect to climate change. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the sea level has risen about 8 in. and continues to rise about 0.14 in. per year (National Climate Association). IPCC has predicted a sea level rise of 1m. (~3.3 ft.) by the end of this century (O‘Rourke), putting small island nations such as the Maldives and at risk of losing their land, as well as cities in the US such as Miami, New Orleans, and New York. Once again, this number may seem insignificant, but when one considers that approximately 5 million people live within 4 ft. of the high tide areas in the United States; and 1 in 10 persons live in low lying coastal areas around the globe, then the numbers illustrate cause for great concern. An estimated 634 million people will be impacted by rising sea levels (Greenfieldboyce) and 1 billion people could be displaced from their homes by 2050 as a result of climate change (O‘Rourke).
With a $2.2 trillion economy, California has the 7th largest economy in the world. California makes more money from agriculture than any other state in the US, totaling $50 billion in profit in 2013. We are the world’s
The rise of sea levels are projected to increase warmer waters from one and a half to two degrees in Central North Pacific in 2050, 1.9 to 2.6 degrees in Northern Islands, and also two to five degrees in the Caribbean at the end of this century. This rise of temperature decreases the life of ecosystems in the ocean and resulting in less freshwater for
To begin with, According to CNN, CA has the 6th largest economy in the world and the largest economy in the US. California has been considered to be the most important state in the US for its various agriculture. However, California’s drought has increased over the past few years and much of California’s economy comes from agriculture and if we do not fix this drought soon our economy will continue to decrease as well as our
Climate change is a issue that widely talked today. As the National Weather Service reports, the hottest temperature records are extending all over the United States since year 2010 (Schlesinger, William H, 2014). It is obvious that our world is heating. Global warming become more and more seriously. With the increase of temperature, many environment problems occur to have huge impact on our urban life, including: the sea level rise, air pollution and drought. These environment problems also endanger our area in a large part.
Since 1880, records show that the sea level has bone up 8 inches. If it goes up six more inches, as the current studies indicate could happen within 20 years, South Florida’s flood control would be devastated. In South Florida, taxpayers are already paying the price for climate change as salt-water pushes through porous bedrock into coastal drinking-water supplies, and rivers and canals choked by heavy rains have a harder time draining into the ocean.
Besides the direct effect of sea level rise, coastal flooding may also be a more prevalent and severe issue. For example, “sea level rise of two feet, without any changes in storms, would more than triple the frequency of dangerous coastal flooding throughout most of the Northeast” (Horton 374). The higher seas would increase the initial level, so that the flooding level would be much greater, especially during hurricanes. Recent hurricanes have become a good example of how much damage can occur to both humans and animals. For example, much of the coastal infrastructure is in danger of damage, which can affect commerce and the public’s health and safety: “In New York State, two feet of sea level rise is estimated...To flood or render unusable 212 miles of road, 77 miles of rail, 3,647 acres of airport facilities, and 539 acres of runways” (Horton 379). This loss of infrastructure may occur in every coastal Northeast state, especially in the south. In these southern Northeast states, the land is flat, which makes them easier to inundate with water. In addition to infrastructure, transportation is also at risk, with much of the major highways (I-95) and trains (Amtrak) at risk of coastal damage (Horton 380). More affected by sea level rise, ecosystems near water may be permanently damaged in upcoming years, and according to Rob Deconto, a climate scientist at University of
Sea level has risen 3.4 mm per year due to climate change. This can have devastating effects on humans, plants and animals, and their habitats. Climate change has become a colossal problem considering it can leave countless humans stranded or starving, that are in need of assistance. It has also caused distrust or rifts between countries over who caused it and whose responsibility it is to pay for the damages it has caused. The economy of places on earth will be suspected to plummet as a result of rising sea levels and temperatures provoking animals to relocate and countries to lose their major exports, or suffer from the increase in prices for their imported goods. The U.N. believes that this is problem is in need of a solution. The world
The first argument examined on the man-made global warning side is that increasing greenhouse gases caused by human activities is causing directly observed climate changes. The first resulting climate change discussed is warming global surface temperature. There has been an increase in global surface temperature of 0.74 degrees C since the late 19th century. In the last 50 years alone the temperature has increased by 0.13 degrees C per decade. North America and Eurasia have seen the largest increase in warmth. However, some areas of the earth have actually cooled some this past century (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para6). After the mid 20th century 70% of the global land mass saw reduced diurnal temperatures. From 1979 to 2005 the maximum and minimum temperatures have shown no change; both indicate warming (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para10). Furthermore, borehole temperatures, snow cover, and glacier recession data all seem to agree with recent warming (Easterling & Karl, 2011, para11).
In the words of Barack Obama, “climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.” (J. S. World Economic Forum, 2015) This global phenomenon is causing many problems around the world and is affecting both developed countries like Canada and other countries in the process of developing. This report investigates how climate change can pose significant impacts on all countries despite economic stability. Places like Canada are affected by the severe storms and drastic changes in weather and these changes can hurt the environment and the economy. They can also pose threats to crop production and public health. Climate change can also hurt the developmental progression of low-income countries
The United States Environmental Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as EPA) defines environmental justice as ‘’the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, colour, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies’’ (Bullard 2005, 4). Throughout the world, poor people and people of colour, who have the least political power and who are the most marginalized, are selectively victimized by environmental crises (Bullard 2005, 6). Numerous environmental groups have been formed over time e.g. the Green Belt Movement to combat this injustice. On the other hand, environmentalism is more concerned with protecting the
Climate change is one of the most important issue humanity is currently facing and is negatively affecting our planet as a whole; unless change occurs, our world will face a wide range of negative consequences in the future. Specifically, life in China is being drastically affected by climate change. China, a major climate change contributor, is being impacted negatively by the effects of climate change throughout their country. Along with environmental problems, climate change is creating social, economic and political changes in China. Climate change is impacting the Chinese society by increasing natural disasters and creating food and water shortages. China’s economy is being impacted from rising sea levels and the reducing amount of
Many of these people are in developing countries that are ill equipped to deal with the problem (monaghan). When the water levels rise, all of these people will be forced to relocate as their whole cities, towns, and homes go underwater due to climate change in Antarctica. In places like Florida, Bangladesh, and other low-lying areas, even modest increases in sea levels—the kind possible before the beginning of the next century—would have dire, civilization-changing consequences (monaghan). According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), sea levels have been rising about three millimeters per year since 1993 – totaling a 200 millimeter increase (7.87 inches) in global averaged sea level since 1870. This is a threat to many lives all over the world and is fast approaching us. Glaciers also contain billions of gallons of freshwater, meaning a rapid melt could mess with the salinity of the ocean. Since our salty ocean absorbs much of the carbon dioxide we pump into the air, that’s not the best scenario for global warming (Atkin). Global warming will continue to get worse if we do not change our ways now.
In this research paper, I will discuss what climate change is and what causes it. I will also describe how the political and scientific communities differ on the topic. Next, I will discuss the causal chain of climate change starting with the Industrial Revolution until today. After that I will cover the differing beliefs of Democrats and Republicans, and what each party is doing in regards to climate change. Lastly, I will cover what is being done by businesses, governments, and individuals in the world to combat climate change, and provide possible solutions, including the use of renewable energies to solve this problem.
Decades of research suggest that sea-levels are rising, and will continue to rise as a result of climate change. This rise will have the most immediate and significant impact on
The globe is being rocked by extreme weather and the hottest temperatures on record. As the average global temperature soars, there are floods, droughts, unusually cold winters, forest fires, and huge storms. Are all of these horrors being caused by human-induced global warming?
Present generations are reaping what their forefathers had sowed for them; future generations will reap what present generations have been sowing whether they like it or not. Past, present and future generations are dependent on each other’s choices. Technologies are zooming rapidly. Humanities prefer to overwork natural resources and often fell into technologies’ competitive temptations. Generations are getting smarter and innovative each day. New products are constantly changing to catch customers’ attention, while current products are still young and are not even ready to mature yet. While many are embracing technologies, few are concerned with the scars that have been embedded on natural resources. It is so easy to fall into the