THE ENVIRONMENT in brevard
THE ENVIRONMENT in brevard
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The entire world is facing environmental threats- and Brevard is no exception
Climate change in Brevard has raised many concerns for the county and community as a whole. It has brought many conversations to the surface about the issues and dangers that we are facing in Brevard due to climate change and the solutions that we can work toward to help prevent it.
Humans have a huge impact on our environment, both positively and negatively. The creation of climate change has not been the only way in which humans have impacted the environment, especially in Brevard. While climate change due to greenhouse gases is a global problem, many of the environmental problems faced in Brevard are due to smaller-scale dangers such as local pollution.
One of Brevard's most precious natural resources, the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), is facing constant threats due to pollution, fertilizer runoff, and other man-made issues. Climate change is likely not a major component of the danger to the IRL. Rather, this natural treasure is in danger due to local, small-scale actions, such as the use of fertilizer on grass bordering the lagoon.
“I feel most environmental problems facing the IRL are not caused by sea level rise or global climate change, but are caused by humans and the impact of our lives on the environment,” said Mr. Ryan Cilsick.
We as a community don’t realize the amount of damage we are causing to the environment by littering, using items that are harmful to our environment, burning fossil fuels, etc. All of these factors have a negative impact on our environment and play a crucial role in the effects of climate change in Brevard.
“We have been releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. The one obvious solution or step in the right direction is to reduce the amount of these gases we are releasing into the atmosphere,” said Cilsick.
By releasing these harmful greenhouse gases in large quantities, it is causing climate change because they hold and trap heat, eventually causing a "greenhouse effect" to occur. The greenhouse effect is detrimental because by trapping the sun’s heat, it causes extreme global warming and climate change.
The effects of global warming can include weather changes such as extreme droughts and, most especially in Brevard County, stronger hurricanes. Hurricanes, however, are not the only threat Brevard residents may soon be facing. As ice near the poles expands and melts due to high heat, the sea level around Brevard and other coastal areas slowly rises. This coastal flooding is not some far-off future threat. This environmental hazard is having real effects on people's lives right now, even in Brevard.
“First, do not forget about the thermal expansion of water as a cause for sea level rise. Will it affect Brevard, I feel the answer to that would be yes. In some ways and some areas [we are] already seeing problems,” said Cilsick.
While coastal flooding is a cause for concern, many Brevard residents are focused on the ways in which climate change may impact the number and severity of hurricanes. Hurricanes have tremendous effects in Florida, and have caused great damage to communities, especially at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
"VAB at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral (Florida)" by Traveller-Reini is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was responsible for millions of dollars worth of damage at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, making climate change a tangible threat for one of Florida's biggest industries. Considering the NASA Kennedy Space Center is located right near the water in Cape Canaveral, sea level rise is causing storm surges and a great amount of damage to the Space Center.
Even though NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is in danger from climate change and global warming, they have had plans prepared to help prevent their equipment from getting as badly damaged as it previously did. NASA built a 17-foot high dune that stretched 3-miles in order to mitigate some of the force of the hurricanes before they can wreak havoc on the expensive equipment housed at the Space Center. This dune took on Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Matthew successfully, but even this solution is only temporary.
As the sea levels rise, it has also created another issue, as natural animal habitats are being harmed as well.
“As sea level rises, coastal and low lying areas will become inundated with water, reducing the amount of habitat for many of the fauna. With reduction of habitat, the amount of fauna also decreases," said Cilsick.
These various animals are facing new and harder challenges because of climate change. There are rising ocean temperatures and destruction of their habitats getting affected by climate change. Tons of animals have gone into extinction because of climate change because they simply couldn't adapt to their rapidly changing environment. Climate change has been the most talked-about environmental threat facing the world for decades. And while scientists are laboring to find a solution, climate change and other man-made environmental disasters have already begun to affect people around the world. Brevard is poised in a difficult position for climate change, as its proximity to the coast means rising sea levels and more severe hurricanes will have tangible effects in the county, both for citizens and for animal populations. But while Brevard may be in a vulnerable position, Brevard citizens are also uniquely positioned to help solve environmental problems. Local initiatives aimed at decreasing the pollution in the Indian River Lagoon are ongoing, and citizens will continue to take a vested interest in protecting the environment in which they live. Brevard County is continuously making an effort to help support our environment and trying to circumvent the effects of man-made climate change.
This is Danielle’s first year on The Edge Staff and third year at Edgewood. She enjoys spending her time drawing and playing video games. As staff writer this year, she hopes to further develop better writing skills and learn new tactics.
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