Why this is happening (Anthropogenic Causes):

• Deforestation causes tree roots to be ripped from the ground, and since root systems are a major factor allowing soil to stay together, deforestation promotes soil and rock erosion. Also, the lack of vegetation allows water to flow over the surface rather than be absorbed into the soil, thus increasing surface runoff

  • • Poor agricultural/land use practices like slash-and-burn agriculture, overcultivation and overgrazing makes the soil infertile and unable to support vegetation. The same consequences that occur from deforestation occur.

• Urbanization: The construction of impermeable roadways and surfaces forces water to flow over the surfaces instead of being partly absorbed as it would be with soil and vegetation floor cover.

• Improper waste disposal: This is more applicable to floods in urban areas. Sometimes, garbage can clog sewage pipes and drainage systems and can obstruct water flow. This garbage may also clog river systems.

• Global warming can contribute to ice cover in the polar regions, as well as permafrost melting, and releasing large quantities of water into the oceans. According to climate.gov, the mean global sea level has risen by 21-24cm since 1880, with a rise of about 4 mm per year - with an estimated increase of 0.3m(1foot) by 2100 from 2000 sea levels.

For more information about floods: 

• https://odpm.gov.tt/node/16 

Long Term Impacts:

• Floods can destroy entire ecosystems and habitats, cause billions of dollars in damages to houses and other buildings, displacing many millions of families, and disrupting critical infrastructures like water, electricity, communications, transport, education and health care. The costs of floods are very high

https://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/publications/understanding-floods/flood-consequence 

Regions known for this: 

• Regions closer to a river delta or other form of coastline, as well as small islands are more prone to this-

  • • • Bangladesh and Northeast India experienced severe flooding in 2022 due to being situated on major floodplains

      • The Maldives Islands, as well as many islands in the Pacific, such as Kiribati (which is for the most part just 2 metres above sea level) are at severe risk of being submerged due to rising sea levels

      • Low-lying cities located near coastlines, such as London and Los Angeles, are at risk of being submerged partly or fully in the future decades.

Ways to Stay Prepared: 

Do some research on whether the area you live in is prone to floods. Have an emergency evacuation plan, and stockpile an emergency kit of food/water/first aid/supplies in case of a flood. Put sealant around basement windows if you're in a flood-risk area, and avoid keeping important items there. 

If a flood is forecast turn off all electricity and gas valves, prepare for evacuation if necessary, safeguard your heating (electric, gas, propane) equipment. Remove polluting chemicals from lower floors. Contact local authorities for assistance. Let people know that you have left your home.

During a flood, safely vacate, do NOT cross flooded areas via foot, by car or by whatever method. Avoid bridges if floodwaters are too high. Take your emergency kit with you, follow routes specified by officials. 

Look at the links below for more detailed information - the last 3 links especially give you detailed preparation processes, the first one gives you tips for flood insurance.

• Here is a useful link where you can learn how to stay prepared for floods, if you're in a high flood-risk area: http://floodsmartcanada.ca/ 

• Stay Prepared Before a Flood (GovCan)

•  Stay Prepared During a Flood (GovCan)

• Stay Prepared After a Flood (GovCan)

Make Change (Donate, etc): 

• Here you can donate to some organizations that provide flood relief:

  • • Pakistan Floods 2023: https://tcfcanada.org/floodrelief/

    • Nigeria Floods 2023: https://www.disasteraid.ca/Stories/nigeria-floods

    • Other organizations include the RedCross, Unicef, etc.

• And here to people who've been victims of floods via GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/en-ca/discover/flood-fundraiser 

Why this is happening (Anthropogenic Causes):

Acid rain, also known as acid reposition, can refer to any acidic precipitation (snow, hail, rain, fog, or even dust). Acid rain has an approximate pH of 4.3, compared to the slightly acidic pH of rainwater: 5.3, which is caused by naturally occuring carbon dioxide combining with water in small concentrations, to form very weak carbonic acid. Though volcanic activity can cause small amounts of acid rain, the vast majority of acid rain is caused by human industrial activity which emits sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which combine with water (H2O) and oxgen (O2) in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid:

Chemical reactions: 

2SO2  + O2 -> 2SO3(sulfur trioxide) ,  SO3 (sulfur trioxide) -> H2O -> H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)

2NO (nitrogen monoxide) + O2 -> 2NO2, 2NO2 + H2O -> HNO3 (nitric acid) + HNO2 (nitrous acid)

https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-in-context/what-acid-rain 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators". Vehicles, heavy equipment, oil refineries, manufacturing and other similar industries account for the remaining. Winds can also blow acid rain many kilometers, making acid rain a problem for a much larger population/region than the immediate vicinity of the pollutants.

https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what-acid-rain

Long Term Impacts:

These acidic precipitations, classed into either wet (rain, snow, hail, etc), or dry (dust-like) deposition, can gravely harm the environment. Mostly, the acidic precipitation damages aquatic and marine ecosystems, as many organisms can't thrive in an acidic environment, and have a critical pH level of acidity that they can survive. The young of most aquatic/marine species are very acid-sensitive, and generally smaller animals like snails and insects, which are the supporting lower levels of the food web, have less acid tolerance than larger animals like frogs, salamanders and large fish. 

Acid rain can also kill trees and vegetation, for several reasons. Acid erodes soil, which makes it leach toxic aluminum, which can kill plants. The acid can also remove nutrients from soil. At high concentrations the acid can actually destroy parts of the tree itself, causing dead-regions of the tree like browned leaves and needles.

Thinner soils like those in mountainous regions are more vulnerable to the effects, as thicker soils can actually neutralize most of the acid.

Nitrogen pollution from the nitric/ous acid can also cause grievous harm to ecosystems, especially marine ones, which over-promotes algae at the expense of all other organisms, in a phenomenon called Algal Blooms

Acid deposition from dry deposition can also corrode surfaces and building materials and cause some damage to infrastructure.

https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects-acid-rain

Regions known for this:

• Regions with high pollution are known for acid rain, specifically the highly industrialized regions of the Americas (North and South America), Europe, and Asia. Certain regions of China and India have very high acid rain, while some regions in the Eastern US and central Europe (Germany, Poland

Ways to Stay Prepared: 

• Here is a useful link where you can learn how to stay prepared for acid rain and stay safe from it, if you live in a region with high pollution and acid rain:

  • https://www.khon2.com/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-sulfur-dioxide-in-vog-acid-rain/

 Why this is happening (Anthropogenic Causes):

A landslide is when due to structural instability of a sloped area (hill, mountain, etc), large portions of the slope break off and fall below. Usually this is due to some form of erosion, whether caused by natural or man-made factors. This erosion and instability can occur due to many factors: 

• Deforestation: Deforestation causes tree roots to be ripped from the ground, and since root systems are a major factor allowing soil to stay together, deforestation promotes soil and rock erosion, which is a recipe for landslides.

• Hill cutting/blasting, construction near or on a slope. Again, reduces stability of the slope, which promotes landslides.

• Population increases + increased settlement on top of a hilly region. If the slope is already weakened, the larger load on top of a slope can cause it to collapse under the sheer weight.

• Changes in the natural river/stream drainage, changes in natural water flow, whether it be by natural causes, or anthropogenic (dams, hydro plants, etc): if the water is redirected towards or near a slope, the water could erode the slope.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Anthropogenic-causes-of-landslide-occurrence_tbl3_343457506

Long Term Impacts:

Landslides are devastating natural events that can cause much destruction to both the natural environment and human infrastructure, as well as cause large loss of life to those unfortunately caught by a landslide. Since landslides often occur in mountainous regions near a source of water flow,  the rock and debris cleaved by the landslide can block the nearby waterways, increasing the risk of floods. Landslides can also prevent access to entire swathes of land, which can destroy and rearrange the entire local ecosystem, as well as farmer's crop yields.

https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/understand-your-risk/types-natural-disasters/landslide

Regions known for this:

• Areas where wildfires or human modification of the land have destroyed vegetation;

• Areas where landslides have occurred before;

• Steep slopes and areas at the bottom of slopes or canyons;

• Slopes that have been altered for construction of buildings and roads;

• Structurally unsound slopes with large settlement on top of it.

• Channels along a stream or river; and areas where surface runoff is directed.

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/landslides.html

Ways to Stay Prepared:

If you live in an area prone to landslides, do some research, and find out about landslide alerts, landslide warnings, etc, shown by the news and local authorities. Create an emergency evacuation plan if your home is close to a landslide-area. Be alert when travelling through a landslide area, and listen for rumbling sounds and/or sudden increases/decreases in water flow, such as a trickle of flowing mud.

"If landslide or debris flow danger is imminent, quickly move away from the path of the slide. Getting out of the path of a debris flow is your best protection. Move to the nearest high ground in a direction away from the path. If rocks and debris are approaching, run for the nearest shelter and take cover (if possible, under a desk, table, or other piece of sturdy furniture)." 

After a landslide, report all incidents and broken infrastructure to authorities, check for injured/trapped people, and attempt to safely assist (without endangering your own health) if you know first aid. Otherwise, leave the area as fast as safely possible.

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/landslides.html

Make Change (Donate, etc): 

• https://www.catalytic.org.nz/donate_to_support_flood_and_landslide_victims (New Zealand Flood/Landslide)

• https://www.disasteraid.ca/ (General disaster aid website: I couldn't find a website specifically to donate for landslides)

Why this is happening (Anthropogenic Causes):

A drought is defined as a prolonged period of reduced rainfall or water deficit. It can be caused by natural shifts in climate patterns, but can also be caused by human activity:

• High/unsustainable water demand including excess/unsustainable agricultural activity (irrigation)

  • • High demands on rivers, streams, lakes, etc, and redirection of waterways for dams, hydroelectricity plants, etc, can cause droughts where the water was directed away from.

• Deforestation (vegetation releases moisture as transpiration, which contributes to the water cycle.)

• General impacts of anthropogenic climate change cause the world temperature to increase, decreasing rainfall in some regions of the world

Long Term Impacts:

Often, this weather pattern has severe consequences. 

Consequences on the natural environment are vast, as with less water, less vegetation grows, and the less wildlife can be supported. The ecosystem's biodiversity will be gravely threatened, and entire regions of land will turn into desert, in a process called desertification. The risk of wildfires is increased.

Consequences on the human population are also very severe, with drought having affected more people in the last 40 years than any other natural disaster (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN).

Drought can cause:

• Increase in diseases (due to lack of fresh, clean water for cleanliness and health. Diseases can come from drinking contaminated water or from not drinking enough water.)

• Famines and starvation: Due to the aforementioned loss of wildlife. This impact is especially high on farmers - many millions of people in Africa make a living through agriculture.

• Droughts increase the risk of wildfires, as mentioned, which burn the remaining vegetation, making the drought worse, and can burn down homes. The smoke and particulate matter can also cause air pollution.

• Displacement: Since there is less water, people must travel further to find water: The World Health Organisation states, “Water scarcity impacts 40% of the world’s population, and as many as 700 million people are at risk of being displaced as a result of drought by 2030.” 

Regions known for this:

• Countries in either a desert region, or experiencing severe water stress would experience droughts.

• The desert regions of North Africa, West Asia and the Middle East are prone to frequent droughts, as well as many regions in Asia, particularly in India and China. Australia is also fairly drought-prone.

• Some regions of Europe have as of late been very drought-prone, for example Moldova and Ukraine

• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1099051/drought-risk-by-country/

• https://www.statista.com/chart/25101/countries-by-drought-risk/

Make Change (Donate, etc): 

• https://donate.unhcr.org/int/en/horn-africa-drought-emergency (Horn of Africa - Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia drought emergency - donate to UNHCR)

• https://www.oxfam.ca/emergency/hunger-and-famine-crises/

Why this is happening (Anthropogenic Causes):

Though wildfires can occur naturally, many wildfires are also human-caused. Unattended campfires, burning of debris (especially in unsustainable recycling-burning practices), equipment usage and malfunction, improperly discarded cigarettes, and deliberate acts of arson. Climate change, water redirection, etc, can also cause droughts(see above), which increase the likelihood of wildfires, which occur during exceptionally dry and windy conditions

Long Term Impacts:

Wildfires can disrupt transportation, communications, power and gas services, and water supply. They also lead to a deterioration of the air quality - via smoke and airborne debris (this can cause pulmonary diseases), and loss of property, crops, resources, and loss of life of animals and people. Natural tree cover will also be lost. However, though natural wildfires are important for killing off older trees and promoting new growth, the increase of wildfires caused either by climate change or other anthropogenic reasons causes the global ecosystem to be greatly disrupted.

https://www.who.int/health-topics/wildfires

Regions known for this:

• Though wildfires can happen everywhere except for the polar regions, certain regions are particularly at risk. 

  • • Australia's particularly arid climate combined with bushland/grassland for fuel makes it the country with the most wildfires, with an average of 2000+ wildfires per year, of various severities

    • The Mediterranean region of Europe, and southern Europe in general is fairly wildfire prone, as due to the mild climate, most rainfall/precipitation happens in the winter, leaving less rainfall for the summer.

    • The western coast of North America - California, British Columbia, etc, have more frequent wildfires due to climate change increasing average temperatures. In BC in particular, the warmer seasons cause more wildfires, but also allow the invasive mountain pine beetle to kill more trees, destroying the temperate rainforest ecosystem.

    • The Amazon rainforest also has an increase of fires, for mostly anthropogenic reasons ranging from deforestation to pollution.

    • https://www.n-d-a.org/fire.php

    • https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/about-climate-change/impacts/wildfires/

Make Change (Donate, etc): 

• https://lp.panda.org/med-wildfires (Wildfires in Greece and Turkey)

• https://lp.panda.org/bushfire-appeal (Australian bush fires)

• https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/how-to-help-the-amazon-right-now-wwf-s-emergency-fund-for-amazon-fires

• https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017TRAN0200-001311 (BC wildfires)