9. Sharayah McDonald- Outside Reading 3

     When reading the class text, it is apparent that the authors are only able to focus on broad regions that are affected by climate change because it would be impossible to describe the effects of climate region on every area of the world. That being said, I wanted to learn how Virginia and even Newport News in particular are going to and are being impacted due to climate change. I researched this, and discovered that more than anything, Newport News will be impacted by rising sea levels due to its proximity to the coast. According to the Rachel Felver from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the coastal areas of Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and Virginia Beach are considered to be at the forefront of these issues. This is where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. For example, in 1960 Hampton Roads had 1.7 days of tidal flooding, but by 2014 this grew to 7.3 days. What does this mean for our area? The farmers are the most at risk, for extreme weather and rising temperatures are destroying crops. Bay fisheries are also at risk, which is an issue because Virginia is the third largest of marine products in the country. The amount of plankton, a food source for shellfish, will decrease due to increasing temperatures, and increased salinity and carbon dioxide in the water. Rising temperatures also cause the growth of algae blooms and the spread of water-borne diseases which kill shellfish and harm humans. Tourism and recreation will also be impacted by the rising sea level and flooding of important sites. The article explains the importance of taking action now, and some of the steps Virginians can specifically take, including "establishing a council of legislators and residents to create a statewide action plan to developing a process for handling climate emergencies that specifically addresses impacts on underesourced and disadvantaged communities" (Felver). Furthermore, it is also important to educate not only citizens but especially businesses with the facts and statistics regarding the impacts of climate change so they can more efficiently prevent and respond to the situations. I feel as though not enough people know about what is happening, and not enough is being done to ensure the protection of houses and landmarks from the imminent threat of flooding. I know that CNU's campus floods almost every time it rains; not the buildings themselves but the grounds. This is due to lack of permeable ground so rainwater cannot get through and wash away. The Virginian government needs to plan accordingly and implement anti-flooding strategies such as not putting in concrete but rather grass or dirt, and creating pathways for rainwater to be directed during rain. 

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/news/blog/a-new-report-gives-virginia-a-realistic-view-of-the-future