White House to Ask for $50 Billion in Hurricane Relief Aid

Since I can’t resist another post about Hurricane Sandy, here goes.  This was part of an article by the New York Times dated December 5, 2012.

“Mr. Obama’s pending request would leave the states with difficult choices to make. Mr. Cuomo has said he needs $33 billion to repair the New York City subway system, hospitals, homes and other facilities damaged by the storm, and an additional $9 billion to upgrade infrastructure to protect against future storms, for a total of $42 billion. Mr. Christie has said that New Jersey needs $29.5 billion to repair schools, roads, bridges, businesses, homes and other facilities, and $7.4 billion to prevent damage from future storms, a total of $36.9 billion. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of Connecticut has asked for $3.2 billion, the bulk of it to bury power lines, upgrade transmission systems, build sewage-treatment plants and pay for other projects to guard against future storms.”

I find this quite alarming.  Where does all the money come from?  The reality is that it comes from the taxpayer, but ultimately is part of the U.S. debt.  With that being said, let’s put money into guarding against future catastrophes and address climate change.  It’s a stark reality that I’ve learned as I’ve blogged these past six weeks.  Climate change is not going away- storms are getting worse, temperatures are rising, drought is all over the U.S.- we need to get a handle on how we treat our mother Earth- this needs to include educating children at a young age about the importance of taking care of our world. 

By PETER BAKER and RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

Published: December 5, 2012

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/nyregion/obama-to-ask-congress-for-50-billion-in-storm-aid.html?_r=0

Drought worsens after weeks of slowly improving conditions

In the last four weeks, I’ve been blogging about Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath- flooding, destruction, and the potential hazards of flood water.  Prior to all of this hurricane talk, the focus of this summer’s weather was the drought and high temperatures.  Called “the worst U.S. drought in decades” reports indicate that after a month of improved conditions- the drought “has deepened again.”  Scientists are unsure of an explanation other than “a simple lack of rain.” 

More than half the U.S. has suffered a drought since the summer of 2012; rain had begun to ease the situation beginning in September.  The U.S. Drought Monitor reported as of November 21, 2012 that “60.1 percent of the lower 48 states were in some form of drought.”  The areas of most drought intensity continue to be Texas, the Southwest, the Great Plains, and almost all of Nebraska.  There is apparently no “clear, scientific explanation for why the drought is lingering.”  Nebraska and the Dakotas to the north may see the drought worsen. 

So what does this mean in the big picture? Why should we care?  Well, drought causes damage to crops and vegetation; thus, food prices increase in an ever struggling economy.  Drought also plays a role in the water supply to our communities. 

The NC State University has a website that provides Climate Education for K-12. This site has information and resources concerning all types of climate and I found information linked to drought.  Due to the “reduced amounts of precipitation for an extended period of time can lead to the loss of plant life and crops. Without needed rainfall, crops and animals can suffer serious declines, and food and water shortages can occur.”

Figure A shows the most current picture of drought in the United States.

There are several types of drought:

1) Meteorological drought is a long-term measurement of lower than normal precipitation.

2) Hydrological drought is a lack of water in subsurface and surface terms.  This includes the water supply that is held in streams, lakes, groundwater and other types of reservoirs. Hydrologic droughts tend to develop over an extended time period.

3) Agricultural drought is when there is not enough water to sustain crops. Rainfall deficits during the critical growth periods of a crop (different from crop to crop) can result in large yield losses, or even complete crop loss.

Overfarming techniques and deforestation also have serious consequences. “Overfarming takes all the nutrients out of the soil that the plants/crops need to survive and essentially “kills” or desertifies the land.”  Deforestation causes fewer trees to cover ground; thus, less water vapor is able to saturate the air above the trees in order to form clouds and rain.  The long term consequence of this-  a rainforest could “dry out and absorb less carbon dioxide because of reduced plant growth.”  Ultimately, adding “enormous” amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which I believe is the snowball effect of global warming, extreme weather, and climate change.

Suhr, Jim. (2012, November 22). Drought worsens after weeks of slowly improving conditions. St. Louis: Associated Press.

http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.droughteffects

How Superstorm Sandy's Floods Can Make You Sick

Standing water may put New York residents in danger of infections.

What exactly is in that floodwater?  Standing water filled streets in New Jersey, New York, and other areas along the coastline.  This stagnant water can create “significant health risks, many of which can worsen with time” according to public health officials.

New York’s Office of Emergency Management cited that flood debris can include broken items such as bottles, animals that carry disease and untreated sewage into waterways.  Other contaminants from urban areas include “motor oil, gasoline, and trash.”  Walking through the water is also dangerous because contaminated water may enter cuts.  Residents were advised to avoid moving water because even levels of just six inches could sweep people off their feet.  Other concerns cited were portions of water which may have been electrified by downed power lines; therefore, Mayor Bloomberg said to avoid contact with floodwater.

Raw sewage from the Hudson River is putting New Yorkers at risk.  It has been recommended that residents boil tap water. This untreated sewage can “introduce bacteria, viruses, and parasites capable of causing a variety of ailments” according to Joan Rose, the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at the University of Michigan. 

Cooler temperatures will also allow pathogens to survive for months.  After Hurricane Katrina, vibrio bacterial infections were a problem because they entered the body through open cuts because of parasites in the water.  “The most concerning urban bacteria is Escherichia coli- also known as E. coli- the organism that most mammals use for digestion.  Floods can spread this bacteria; however, E. coli occurs by drinking contaminated water or consuming food with the bacteria.”  The Union of Concerned Scientists published a report “outlining the risks of urban flooding, highlighting that the occurrence of floods may increase due to global warming.”

Timely cleanup can reduce such health risks related to floodwater.  Sunlight also helps as it “can help neutralize dirty water with ultraviolet light.”  Unfortunately, direct light tends to be blocked by New York’s skyscrapers.

Granted- we don't live in New York City; yet, we live in areas of the midwest that have suffered flooding.  Just last year, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law had to evacuate their home located at the Dakota Dunes for almost five months due to the Missouri River's flooding.  Flooding can happen to  any of us and knowing how to keep our family safe is of the utmost importance.

Stone, D., Shyr, L. (2012, October 30). How Superstorm Sandy’s Floods Can Make You Sick: Standing water may put New York residents in danger of infections. Retrieved: November 3, 2012 from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111030-hurricane-sandy-superstorm-floods-health-science/

 

 

 

Why New York City Is the Worst Place for a Hurricane

This article reports that New York City is the worst possible place for a hurricane.  “Any city would suffer if 500 million tons of seawater were to spin ashore at a hundred miles (160 kilometers) per hour” but it turns out that New York “suffers more than most.”  The category 1 hurricane has caused major flooding of car tunnels, streets, subways, and buildings.  The article cites four reasons why this is so.

Reason #1: The “New York Bight” which is a curved or bend in an open shoreline where Long Island and New Jersey form an upside-down L in the shallows of the Atlantic Ocean.  Hurricane Sandy arrived there and brought with it millions of tons of ocean water.  The water trapped in the legs of the L; thus, causing water to arrive onshore in the southernmost point of New York City located in the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty.  Due to the shallow water and the storm, water levels “reached a record of 13.88 feet.”

Reason #2: High buildings and bridges are highly vulnerable as the many high rises and suspension bridges in New York added to the “vulnerability.”  Due to the high winds, the buildings and bridges were vulnerable days prior to the storm; access to these bridges was cut off for fear of collapse.

Reason #3: New York has many vital underground systems that are prone to flooding and water filled all of the subway tunnels.  Adding to the problem is the fact that the water was saltwater from the ocean “which corrodes the city’s aging pipes and subway tracks.”

Reason #4:  The edge of the city is full of vital facilities due to ten emergency stations, 19 colleges, 23 hospitals, 17 power plants, nearly 500 schools, and 13 wastewater treatment plants along the coast.  Another concern was that the hurricane hit the financial district- Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.

This article enlightened me about the upside-down L in the shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  I’ve been to NYC and I can see how this flooding could happen.  The city and its subways system are very close to the ocean.  I was fortunate to visit NYC a year and a half ago experienced the subway system firsthand.  We exited the subway, very near the ocean- where we boarded a ferry in order to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  It’s sad to think of NYC in this state of distress.  With time and a lot of hard work, New York will bounce back because of its residents and their loyalty to their city and because it is the city that never sleeps.

Silverman, R. (2012, Nov. 1). Why New York City Is the Worst Place for a Hurricane: Underwater canyon, high buildings, more make city vulnerable.  Retrieved November 1, 2012, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/11/121101-new-york-city-sandy-hurricane-bight-science-environment-nation/

 

 

 

Scientists Look at Climate Change, the Superstorm

Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist reported eight months ago that the “once in-a-century devastating floods in New York City would soon happen every three to twenty years.”  Oppenheimer cites global warming for the rise in sea levels and changing hurricane patterns.  A 2000 federal report also reported global warming effects on the United States and the possibility of flooding; yet, scientists still caution they “cannot link a single storm to global warming and any connection is not as clear and simple as environmental activists might content.”  Gerald North, a climate professor at Texas A&M University stated that “these things do happen, like the drought. It's a natural thing."

Scientists and hurricane experts now agree that as our climate temperature increases there will be fewer hurricanes; however, they will be “stronger and wetter.”  Oppenheimer researched New York City's record flood of 1821; Hurricane Sandy flooded even higher.

On October 30, 2012, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated, "What is clear is that the storms that we've experienced in the last year or so, around this country and around the world, are much more severe than before," Bloomberg said. "Whether that's global warming or what, I don't know. But we'll have to address those issues."  Governor Cuomo contends that major flooding appears to be occurring every two years now.

Obviously, I’m not a scientist but I still believe that climate change is having an impact causing this extreme weather.  All parts of this great country are seeing more frequency of these extreme events which are more deadly and costly than in years past.  With that being said, the evidence is clear- rising sea levels (which appear to be caused by global warming) are changing the intensity of hurricanes and increasing their destructive path.  I’m also still curious…how will this hurricane affect the presidential election in exactly one week?

As of October 30, 2012 the Weather Channels reports its five latest findings:

1.       Millions Without Power: some 8 million customers were without power.

2.      Numerous Fatalities Reported: The Associated Press has reported 45 fatalities; many of which were killed by falling trees.  Sandy also killed 69 people in the Caribbean.

3.      Next: Cold to Hamper Recovery: Behind the storm, cold air has moved into areas where the power is out where morning lows are in the 30s.

4.      More than Two Feet of Snow: over two feet in the central Appalachians; 29 inches in Redhouse, Md.; 24 inches in Terra Alta, W.V.

5.      Monday’s Hurricane-Force Wind Gusts: ranging from JFK airport 79 mph to 96 mph in Eatons Neck, N.Y.  Additionally, downed trees, power lines and other wind-related damage have been reported all along the east coast.

Source: http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/sandy-top-five-20121028

Article source: By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer

WASHINGTON October 31, 2012 (AP)

 

Editorial From: International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Volume 3, Issue 1

Haigh, R., Amartunga, D., (2012). “Extreme weather will strike as climate change takes hold”, International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 3 Iss: 1, pp.-

Have you ever wondered- what is going on with all this extreme weather?  Why in 2011 were there so many tornados?  There were 1691 documented tornados resulting in 553 deaths according to the NOAA National Weather Service. This summer drought plagued the United States.  The US Drought Monitor listed most of the state of Iowa as D3 Drought- Extreme.  http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/archive/20121023/pdfs/total_dm_121023.pdf

How about those hurricanes?  Right at this very moment, the north-northeast is preparing for what The Weather Channel is categorizing as a Category 1 hurricane- Sandy with winds of 75mph.  This system (also known as Frankenstorm) is parallel to the Carolina’s and is anticipated to be onshore Monday am near the mid-Atlantic and northeast United States which are heavily populated areas. This system will affect tens of millions of people in the areas of personal safety, property damage, communication, power outages- to name a few.  The cost of this hurricane could surpass a billion dollars!

In November 2011, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report on extreme weather.  The IPCC includes the world’s leading climate scientists convened by the United Nation.  In the report, over 22o scientists compiled information during a two year time period and the report is considered “the first comprehensive examination of scientific knowledge on the subject.”  The report cautions developed and underdeveloped countries citing that “rising sea levels will increase the vulnerability of coastal areas, and the increase in extreme weather events will wipe billions off national economies and destroy lives.”  Hmm…sounds like they predicted the future because consider what is going on with Hurricane Sandy at this very moment. 

The IPCC reports that there is clear and solid evidence that extreme weather events “are more likely.”  Underdeveloped nations will be the worst afflicted because of their geography and are less well prepared in their infrastructure, as well as lacking the economic resources necessary to protect their nation.  Developed countries will experience heatwaves, drought, and heavier rains.  Globally, “hot days become even hotter and occur more often,” increasing by a factor of 10 in most regions.  Tropical cyclones will increase and heavy precipitation will occur.

Could this be caused by human induced global warming?  The IPCC reflects “the difficulty in typing specific extreme weather events to human-induced global warming” because “there will always be variability in where and how frequently” such events occur. 

This editorial is quite profound to me.  Unprecedented weather extremes in the last few years seem to mirror what this report is stating.  I do, however, think that human induced global warming is having an impact on the weather.  Our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and coal-fired power plants are having the greatest impact on climate change according to Green Peace.org.  Did you know that plastic is made from fossil fuels?  Think of all the plastic you use- then think of all those plastic bags…

Now back to Hurricane Sandy.  I’m fascinated by this and the potential of the unknown.  The Weather Channel has 5 reasons Sandy will be epic:

1.       A Northbound Hurricane: the extra-tropical storm system will get power from warmer ocean water.

2.      Early Winter Storm: This extra-tropical storm merges with a winter system.

3.      Artic Air from the North: Frigid air traveling south is coming from Canada.  (I feel like I need a blanket)

4.      High Tides Could Worsen Flooding: A full moon causes higher tides that produce more powerful winds- thus pushing water to low lying areas.

5.      Snow-wind Combo: Increases the risk for power outages.

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-hurricanes/hurricane-sandy-superstorm-20121027

 

What an opportunity to delve into this topic with students- not only about climate change, but social implications, global warming, finance, health and safety.  At this point, millions of people are bracing for the hurricane by potentially evacuating, preparing their homes, shopping for necessities, and probably saying a few prayers.  Let’s keep them in our thoughts as they prepare for this extreme weather event of a lifetime.  I wonder how this will impact the presidential election…