"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Earth/Climate science
Smoke Inhalation
05/20/20
“Why is smoke inhalation bad?”
When smoke occurs, whether it be from wildfires or a kitchen accident, particulate matter is released. If this is trapped indoors, then people can breathe it in and develop problems from Smoke Inhalation.
River Pollution
05/18/20
“How can rivers become polluted?”
Rivers are one of the original lifebloods of civilizations. Cities as grand as Babylon, Moscow, and New Orleans were built due to their proximity to important rivers for easy access to commerce. In time, Industrial facilities would be built so supplies could be shipped off without much hassle. However, the increased industrial activity led to River Pollution, where the channels have become washed with waste and toxins. This has the potential to spill into nearby drinking water, making it something that governments should take note of.
Misadaptation
05/16/20
“How can climate adaptation be appropriated for nefarious purposes?”
Discussion of climate adaptation and resilience is becoming more apparent in the world. However, just like greenwashing takes place in mitigation, misadaptation can exacerbate climate vulnerabilities for marginalized populations while benefiting privileged ones. For example, building a levee that causing flooding down a river only shifts the climate risks, not mollifies it.
How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production
05/13/20
“How will climate change affect hydropower production?”
With the advent of climate change, precipitation levels will drastically increase in some areas and decrease in others. The former can cause water body flooding while the latter would lead to drought. These events could destroy the hydropower plant parts and diminish the energy source respectively. This is How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production.
Image credit student-energy.s3.amazonaws.com
Stagnant Air
05/12/20
“What happens when air remains static in an area for a long period of time?”
Air usually becomes fresher through precipitation and movement from one area to another. However, if air is stuck in a certain region for a long amount of time, it turns into Stagnant Air. This often leads to air pollution due to the fact that pollutants become trapped.
Image credit assets.climatecentral.org
Why Global Warming Will Lead to More Vermin Infestations
05/08/20
“Why will global warming lead to more vermin infestations?”
Vermin infestations are the worst. Whether it’s roaches in a house or rats in a workplace, these pesty creatures always seem to bring trouble along with them. Usually, when colder weather arrives, these species die off and their breeding process slows down. However, with the advent of Global Warming, temperatures are expected to rise (on average) and rain is on track to explode throughout the year. This will give pests more time to breed and less time to die, leading towards more outbreaks. This is Why Global Warming Will Lead to More Vermin Infestations.
Climate Disinformation
05/06/20
“Why do malevolent institutions try to spread disinformation about climate change?”
Although climate change will bring extreme suffering to people of all backgrounds, certain institutions are based upon the very sources that are causing it. Since moving to more sustainable physical and social infrastructures would harm their economic bottom line, they try to slow it by spreading doubt about climate change. This Climate Disinformation strategy takes multiple forms, such as in think tanks or funding politicians and parties to repeat their lies. If you would like to learn more about this topic, you can find more information on the website of the Union of Concerned Scientists here.
Climate Insurance Equity
05/05/20
“Why does equity need to be discussed with regard to climate insurance?”
With the advent of climate change, more and more personal property is going to become damaged and destroyed. New climate insurance programs have already have sprung up to address this occurrence. However, communities that have borne the brunt of systematic discrimination will be at the front lines of climate change and will be unable to pay into many of these systems. Because of this, Climate Insurance Equity will need to come into discussion and be actively implemented.
Climate Gentrification
05/01/20
“How will climate change spur new forms of gentrification?”
Climate change is already causing mass migrations around the world as less and less habitable spots become available. If a lower-income community inhabits a particularly safe spot, then predatory forces may want to push them out to make a profit. This Climate Gentrification can be seen in Little Haiti in Miami, where real-estate prices in the neighborhood have been skyrocketing in recent years due to its higher elevation and resilience to climate change.
Image credit grist.files.wordpress.com
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