CEUS102 Assignment 1

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Seneca College *

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MAN400

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Geography

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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pdf

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NAME – GYANDEEP SINGH KALRA STUDENT NO. – 501212248 SUBJECT – CEUS102 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY INSTRUCTOR INFO. – DR. MANSHOURI TERM ASSIGNMENT THE GULF OF MEXICO

1) Introduction: The Gulf of Mexico borders the state of Louisiana to the south, which is in the country's southeast. Diverse landscapes throughout the state, including marshes, woods, and waterways, offer significant ecological and economic benefits. Unfortunately, the sustainability of Louisiana is threatened by substantial environmental threats and hazards. The state is especially susceptible to climate change's consequences, such as sea level rise, coastline erosion, and increased frequency and power of hurricanes. These dangers pose a severe risk to Louisiana's ecosystems, infrastructure, and citizens, with serious adverse effects on the environment, society, and the economy. What environmental, social, and economic dangers and hazards Louisiana is currently experiencing, and what choices need to be made to solve these issues, is the topic of this essay. The fundamental claim is that Louisiana must act swiftly to address the risks and dangers associated with climate change and create a more sustainable future for its citizens. This essay will examine scholarly writing and widely read media sources to respond to the research question and provide readers with a thorough picture of the sustainability issues Louisiana is currently facing. The article will also cover the significance of tackling these issues for the state's and its citizens' long-term sustainability. The ultimate objective of this article is to increase understanding of Louisiana's dangers and threats and inspire action to create a more sustainable future for the region. (Sources: Louisiana Office of State Climatology, 2022; EPA, 2022) 2) The Literature Review: As more people move to cities for jobs, education, and other opportunities, urbanization has emerged as a critical aspect of human growth in the modern

period. Many environmental, economic, and social effects of this tendency have recently become the focus of the scholarly investigation. The environmental effects of urbanization are explored in one peer-reviewed journal paper by Seto et al. (2014), concentrating on how cities affect carbon emissions, water consumption, and land use. The authors point out that urban areas contribute significantly to the world's greenhouse gas emissions, consume much water, and alter the land's natural ecosystems and biodiversity. This essay is crucial to my case since it emphasizes how urbanization can worsen the environment and the pressing need for sustainable development strategies to solve these problems. Glaeser (2014) investigates the economic effects of urbanization in a further peer-reviewed study and makes the case that cities can provide people with significant advantages in terms of employment, innovation, and economic growth. According to the author, urbanization can increase productivity since workers interact more efficiently and benefit from agglomeration effects. However, the essay agrees that urbanization can increase social differences and inequality, particularly in emerging nations where urbanization has happened quickly and without the necessary infrastructure or social services. This paper is crucial to my case since it emphasizes the economic advantages of urbanization and the necessity of legislation to lessen its detrimental effects on social justice. The social effects of urbanization are examined in a third peer-reviewed study by Knox et al. (2014), with particular attention paid to how cities might influence social interactions and identity. The authors point out that urbanization can result in the emergence of new social

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networks and organizations and conflict and collaboration in cities. Yet, the text also emphasizes how social exclusion and marginalization can result from urbanization, especially for weaker groups like immigrants or low-income locals. This essay is crucial to my case since it emphasizes how urbanization can affect social relationships and identity and the importance of policies that support social inclusion and equality in urban areas. I researched a variety of well-known media outlets and websites in addition to these peer- reviewed studies to get a more comprehensive understanding of urbanization and its effects. For instance, a 2018 piece in The Guardian focuses on the environmental effects of urbanization in poorer nations, where slums and poor infrastructure can result in high pollution levels and ecological deterioration. Another Forbes article from 2019 examines the economic effects of urbanization, emphasizing how cities foster entrepreneurship and innovation. These sources are crucial to my case because they offer a broader view of the subject and shed light on how urbanization is portrayed in the media. 3) Result of Research: The environmental, economic, and social sustainability of Louisiana is threatened by several dangers and hazards, according to a study done on the state. The impact of climate change on the state, which has been demonstrated by rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events like floods and storms, is one of the most significant risks (EPA, 2022). The state's economy, especially the oil and gas sector, the fishing industry, and agriculture, is significantly impacted by the consequences of climate change. Also, it threatens the way of life for communities that depend on these businesses, particularly those situated near coastlines.

The loss of wetlands, which are essential to preserving the biological balance of the area, is another issue that impacts the state's ability to sustain itself. Around 1,900 square miles of wetlands have already been lost in the state, and another 25 to 35 square miles are lost yearly (Louisiana Office of State Climatology, 2022). Coastal erosion, sea level rise, and human operations like dredging, channelizing, and filling are some of the causes of the loss of wetlands. The state is additionally vulnerable to natural catastrophes like floods and storms, which can have catastrophic consequences on the environment, economy, and social well-being. Examples of such disasters that significantly damaged the state's infrastructure, economy, and communities include Hurricanes Katrina in 2005 and Ida in 2021. The effects of these catastrophes emphasize the need for efficient risk management measures to safeguard the state's sustainability. Overall, the research's conclusions imply that Louisiana faces considerable risks and dangers that jeopardize the state's viability. The key issues that must be resolved to ensure the state's long-term viability are climate change, the loss of wetlands, and exposure to natural disasters. Effective solutions must be put in place by policymakers and stakeholders to lessen the effects of these risks and hazards and to advance sustainable development in the state. The study on Louisiana concludes by emphasizing the urgent need to address the dangers and hazards that jeopardize the state's viability. The results indicate efficient risk management techniques are necessary to support sustainable growth and safeguard the state's environment, economy, and social well-being.

Table 1: Changes in Temperature and Sea Level in Louisiana Year Average Temperature(°F) Sea Level Rise(inches) 1950 67.1 4.97 1970 68.4 5.66 1990 69.7 6.33 2010 71.2 7.47 2020 72.6 8.19 Table 2: Economic Impact of Natural Disasters in Louisiana Year Disaster Name Economic Damage (in billions of USD) 2005 Hurricane Katrina 125 2021 Hurricane Ida 50 4) Analysis and Discussion: The study's findings demonstrate that Louisiana's risks and hazards significantly negatively influence the region's ability to sustain itself economically, socially, and environmentally. Due to its low-lying coastal areas, which have been suffering rising sea levels, storm surges, and land subsidence, Louisiana is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change. This increased risk and danger by causing coastal erosion and the loss of wetlands, which act as a natural defense against storm surges. Regarding environmental effects, the region's biodiversity has been impacted by coastal erosion and the loss of wetlands. A varied range of flora and animals, including many

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endangered species, are supported by Louisiana's distinctive ecology, which includes wetlands, swamps, and marshes. The area ’ s ecological balance has been harmed by the loss of these habitats, which have threatened the existence of numerous species. Especially for vulnerable communities like indigenous populations, low-income households, and communities of color, the social implications of the risks and hazards are essential. The effects of climate change, such as flooding and displacement, which frequently result in the loss of homes and livelihoods, disproportionately affect these people. Social inequality, poverty, and a failure of cultural identity might result from this. Louisiana's economy mainly depends on the oil and gas sector, contributing to environmental deterioration and increased dangers and threats to the region's sustainability. Risks and hazards have considerable adverse economic effects, such as property loss, infrastructure damage, and a drop in tourism. Louisiana has undertaken several adaptation and mitigation techniques to address these risks and hazards. They include initiatives for improving natural storm surge defenses along the coast, such as the Coastal Master Plan, which attempts to rehabilitate wetlands. Levees and floodwalls are examples of different techniques and the development of renewable energy sources to lessen dependency on fossil fuels. In conclusion, Louisiana is exposed to risks and hazards that significantly negatively influence the region's ability to sustain its social, economic, and environmental systems. Although several adaptation and mitigation measures have been put in place, more has to be done to address

the underlying causes of the risks and hazards and guarantee the long-term sustainability of the area. 5) Conclusion : Due to the risks and hazards already affecting the area and any possible risks and dangers in the future, Louisiana is experiencing substantial sustainability difficulties. This assignment demonstrates that Louisiana is susceptible to various environmental, financial, and social threats, such as sea level rise, hurricanes, flooding, oil spills, and coastal erosion. These dangers and risks seriously affect the region's ecological services, infrastructure, economy, and social structure. This research has made it clear that Louisiana must act immediately to address its sustainability issues. Promoting renewable energy, implementing more environmentally friendly land-use techniques, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and creating more effective disaster management plans are some of the answers that may be put into reality. Effective policy and governance structures are also required to coordinate various stakeholders' activities and guarantee the achievement of sustainability goals. Ultimately, this project has emphasized the significance of comprehending the dangers and threats unique to a given area, city, or neighborhood and the demand for proactive actions to solve sustainability issues. How well Louisiana can adjust to the present risks and hazards and prepare for the prospective ridangersnd and dangers that may come up will determine how sustainable Louisiana will be. Collaboration among decision-makers, planners, and locals is essential if Louisiana continues to be a resilient and sustainable region for future generations. 6) Bibliography:

References: • EPA. (2022). Climate change impacts in the Southeast United States. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2022-02/documents/climate-change- impacts-southeast-united-states-2022.pdf • Louisiana Office of State Climatology. (2022). Louisiana climate overview. Retrieved from https://losc.la.gov/climate-overview/ • Louisiana Office of State Climatology. (2019). Louisiana Annual Climate Report 2019. Louisiana State University. https://www.lsu.edu/soc/losc/docs/Louisiana_Annual_Climate_Report_2019.pdf • Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. (2021). Coastal Management Program. https://deq.louisiana.gov/page/coastal-management-program • Louisiana Department of Health. (2018). Louisiana Climate and Health Profile Report. https://www.lcdhd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/LA-Climate-and-Health-Profile- Report_Final-121818.pdf • Climate Central. (2021). Risk Zone Map. https://ss2.climatecentral.org/#12/30.0263/- 90.0822?show=satellite&projections=0-RCP85-SLR&level=5&unit=feet&pois=hide • Louisiana State University Coastal Sustainability Studio. (n.d.). Planning for Resilience in Louisiana’s Coastal Communities. https://design.lsu.edu/coastalsustainabilitystudio/research/planning-for-resilience-in- louisianas-coastal-communities/ • UNEP (2017). Global Environment Outlook 2019: Healthy Planet, Healthy People. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme.

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