Read: The article, Land\'s End by Edward Martin in Business North Carolina (Note
ID: 283568 • Letter: R
Question
Read: The article, Land's End by Edward Martin in Business North Carolina (Note: You must be logged into ERNIE to use the Hunt Library). This article explores what happens when the dynamic forces of nature conflict with economics, politics, and commercial real-estate investment. As you read the article, use your Critical Thinking Habits-of-Mind to analyze the statements made by individuals and groups cited in the article. Who are the "environmental extremists" that state politicians claim are attempting to usurp the rights to land development on North Carolina's coasts? What evidence do state senators cite to support the idea that a 39-inch sea level rise is "purely hypothetical"? What evidence is brought to show that there is no acceleration of sea level rise? In contrast, what evidence did scientists and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cite as to the vulnerability of North Carolina's coasts? Roughly how many building have been both built and lost to the sea over the past century? Are these acceptable losses? How do the locals such as fishermen and farmers, who have lived there for most of their lives, feel about the possibility of sea level rise? Post: Based on information cited in this article, post your opinion on whether sea-level rise should be a concern to North Carolina residents, and state whether you believe continued development is warranted. Use examples from the article to back your opinion
Explanation / Answer
Sea level rise is a major concern to the North Carolina residents. According to the 2007 report of climate researchers and the economists there would be about $6.9 billion dollars loss of property by rise of sea level by about 32 inch in only four counties namely Bertie, Carteret, Dare and New Hanover. Recreation related loss would be about $ 4 billion and there would be loss in business, forestry and agriculture by the increasing rise in sea level and subsequent threat by hurricanes to about $2-$3 billion. Every year there is evidence of rising sea level. A 2010 report on coastal hazards suggest that the sea level is steadily rising in North Carolina. They predicted that sea level rise of 1 meter i.e 39 inch would cause 230,000 homes and business to be perished. The industry most affected by this would be agriculture and the tourism.
I believe that this would the cause the development to be warranted in the region since by predicting the threat of rise in sea level. More than half of million people would be affected. Some environmentalists are preventing people to build in the barrier islands. Many business and the public officials have to face the warnings against the sea level rise. This could prevent the home buyers, businesses and the other developments in the area. Also the tourism industry would be badly affected by this. In the mere public infrastructure there could be a loss of billions of dollars. But in March 2012, a bill was passed by NC house which prevents the people to believe in the forecast of sea level rise of one meter of scientists by the science panels but the development and zoning should be based on the past sea level rise which is 8 inches towards the end of this century. The 39 inch sea level rise is just hypothetical and just an attempt to stop development.
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