Local Environmental Issue

CheckPoint: Local Environmental Issue

·         Many environmental problems, such as depletion of natural resources, air pollution, and overpopulation, exist throughout the world. The root of most of these global problems stems from the local environment and decisions made at local levels that are based on lifestyles choices such as those regarding food, transportation, and housing.

·         Post a 200- to 300-word response to the following:

o    Discuss an environmental problem that you feel is significant in your town or city.

o    What are some causes?

o    Are any of these causes related to human values and environmental ethics?

o    Explain your answers.

The biggest environmental issue facing my city right now would be the thousands of homes that are still damaged and abandoned due to the flood that hit this area in June of 2008. A major storm system came through this area and flooded the Cedar River. The entire Czech Village and Downtown area flooded. Almost four thousand homes and the downtown area were under water. Hundreds of homes were tagged for demolition. Several historical and cultural buildings were damaged. The Paramount Theatre, The African American Cultural Center and Museum, The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, The YMCA, even the Linn County courthouse, county jail and federal courthouses all were flooded and thousands of records and exhibits were beyond salvaging. Many small businesses were not able to reopen.

Cedar Rapids has four sources of water for the city, due to the flood we were reduced to one. The other three were underwater too fast for city officials to barricade and protect these sources. The entire city was put on a water schedule. No water used was allowed other than bathing every other day, not for drinking or cooking and no wash of dishes or clothes for over a week. As the water receded and the other sources of water became available these restrictions relaxed. During this time there was no word on how long the situation might last.

This was an act of nature. In hindsight it is easy to see where the city or county may have done more or faster. But no one expected the river to rise as high as it did. They did not even expect it to break out of the embankment. It eventually crested at 31 feet and took around a month to recede completely.