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A major issue that our population has been attempting to combat for the past several generations is the negative effects that environmental degradation and climate disruption put upon our planet. A large contributor to both of these issues is the large-scale urban environments that humans have built over the past several thousand years. These massive cities that dot the globe destroy the living environment around them –deserts, jungles, forests, mountains, beaches, and really any biome on Earth– to create more amenities for humans such as housing, businesses, factories, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and much more.
A major issue that our population has been attempting to combat for the past several generations is the negative effects that environmental degradation and climate disruption put upon our planet. A large contributor to both of these issues is the large-scale urban environments that humans have built over the past several thousand years. These massive cities that dot the globe destroy the living environment around them –deserts, jungles, forests, mountains, beaches, and really any biome on Earth– to create more amenities for humans such as housing, businesses, factories, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and much more.
This decrease in vegetation and increase in population density creates an “urban heating effect” that causes the temperature in and around these cities to be significantly higher than the rural landscapes around them. Even suburbs have a slight heating effect, which adds even more to the sheer amount of land that has been taken by our ever increasing population. Unfortunately, many scientists believe that we have passed the point of no return regarding this heating, however there is still hope. Many different types of “urban green spaces” have been created and implemented in these urban environments to halt the heating effect, and give a little bit of space back to Mother Nature. These green spaces provide a place of refuge for plants, animals, and humans alike, and have been found to create a plethora of health benefits for the people living around them.
This decrease in vegetation and increase in population density creates an “urban heating effect” that causes the temperature in and around these cities to be significantly higher than the rural landscapes around them. Even suburbs have a slight heating effect, which adds even more to the sheer amount of land that has been taken by our ever increasing population. Unfortunately, many scientists believe that we have passed the point of no return regarding this heating, however there is still hope. Many different types of “urban green spaces” have been created and implemented in these urban environments to halt the heating effect, and give a little bit of space back to Mother Nature. These green spaces provide a place of refuge for plants, animals, and humans alike, and have been found to create a plethora of health benefits for the people living around them.
This map shows the properly maintained combined sewer overflows across New York in real time. Scroll around and check them out!
This map shows the properly maintained combined sewer overflows across New York in real time. Scroll around and check them out!
Onondaga County, the home of Syracuse, has been a shining example in the development of green spaces within the city. To date, the County has advanced more than 200 distinct green infrastructure projects, on public and private property. Onondaga County is also a national model for the implementation of a balanced approach to storm water management. Storm water runoff is a major cause of water pollution in urban areas. An initiative called Save the Rain was started in the county to reduce the amount of runoff that flowed into Onondaga Lake and its surrounding tributaries. Through education and public outreach, Save the Rain has successfully promoted and expand green-infrastructure within Syracuse.
Onondaga County, the home of Syracuse, has been a shining example in the development of green spaces within the city. To date, the County has advanced more than 200 distinct green infrastructure projects, on public and private property. Onondaga County is also a national model for the implementation of a balanced approach to storm water management. Storm water runoff is a major cause of water pollution in urban areas. An initiative called Save the Rain was started in the county to reduce the amount of runoff that flowed into Onondaga Lake and its surrounding tributaries. Through education and public outreach, Save the Rain has successfully promoted and expand green-infrastructure within Syracuse.
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