news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/hurricane-harvey-climate-change-global-warming-weather/Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas starting last week and is now nearing the end of its stay there. Since its beginning, it has dumped about 54 inches of rain on Houston causing devastating flooding throughout the area. This hurricane is said to be one of the worst if not the worst of all tropical storms in U.S. history, and it seems to be no coincidence what with the trend of global warming. Although the storm itself cannot be attributed to climate change, the environmental changes caused by rising temperatures likely strengthened the characteristics of the hurricane. One distinct characteristic was rapid intensification even as it neared land. Normally, hurricanes lose strength as they reach land where there is a decrease in warm, wet air to fuel them. However, this particular storm's wind speeds grew faster around the last 24 hours before landfall, which scientists believe can be linked to warmer conditions throughout the region. Another important characteristic of the hurricane was record level inches of rainfall. The increased heat in the sea surface coupled with the increased heat in the atmosphere allowed for more water vapor to be taken up as well as a larger capacity for moisture to build. As a result, there was potentially double the amount of rainfall, and the storm continues to feed itself by pulling in moisture it has released that has turned into water vapor once again.
This catastrophic storm should serve as a warning to all. Not only does it show us what we might continue to see if global warming continues, but it provides us with the warning that we must change the way we treat the environment before it is too late. Hopefully, people let this be a lesson learned, begin listening to the science and make change. Whether it be riding one's bike to work or taking care to shower quickly, it all can contribute to a happier, healthier environment. Another hurricane, Hurricane Irma, is approaching, and one must wonder how many will have to destroy innocent peoples' communities before we start to make a difference.
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www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-feinstein-friedman-cadiz-mojave-desert-20170821-story.htmlThe Mojave Desert is currently home to a plethora of plant and animal species in California; and the area supports many surrounding Native American tribes and industries with it's underground aquifers. However, these aquifers are under attack by the Cadiz Incorporation who is pushing to extract this water to Los Angeles County, draining the aquifers in the process. This is an obvious environmental disaster, but Cadiz is working on a scheme to put the project into effect. Cadiz plans to build a pipeline on a railroad right of way in order to claim it being beneficial to the railroad and thus dismissing themselves from federal environmental review. Those advocating for protection of the Mojave have been able to hold of the project for some time, but the Trump Administration is now making it significantly easier for the allowance of the project. The Administration has been dismantling necessary regulations and the man who plans to oversee the permitting process has significant ties to President Trump. Those who wish to save the Mojave must act now in order to protect the aquifers and the species who rely on the area before it is too late.
Preventing this scheme from happening should be of utmost importance not only for those living near the Mojave but for many throughout California. We Californians should all be familiar with the recent drought, and we should all recall how beneficial it was to conserve our water usage. This instance is no different, as those who are suffering in Los Angeles County should make note how much more expensive it will be to complete this disastrous project rather than just simply conserving. Not only that, but the water that Cadiz plans to pump out may not be necessarily safe for any of us to drink which is something we should all be worried about. The water is said to contain hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen that Cadiz says can be distilled by mixing the Mojave water with Colorado River water. However, many are skeptical. Lastly, but certainly not least, the estimated pumping of 50,000 acre-feet per year is both unsustainable and detrimental for the fragile ecosystem of the Mojave which could lead to species dying and food chains being disrupted, Nothing good could possibly come from this project, and one can only hope that it is stopped before it even begins. |
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