Chapter 12 discusses New Jersey's water sources. More specifically, Belton talks about New Jersey's coasts, and the effects of water rising. Throughout the years, the water temperatures in NJ have been increasing, due to global warming. This also includes water rising, which leads to flooding. Flooding causes erosion, which can lead to even more flooding.
At one point, Belton talks about storms, and how they effect the shores. This made me almost immediately think of Hurricane Sandy, and what it left behind. This storm destroyed many towns down the shore, as the bay met the ocean. A lot of the damage could've been avoided, had some of these towns agree to planting dune grass to keep the sand in place. Without dunes, the sand disintegrates into the water, leaving nothing to buffer it from land. It was sad to drive around after the storm to see the damage that was left. It is crazy to think how different things could be now if the towns were not stubborn.
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In chapter 10, Belton describes habitats of animals, and how they are sadly going away, due to human impact. Many people know that this loss of habitat happens in other countries, such as Africa and China, but some people of thriving countries and towns do not realize that some loss is happening in their own backyard. The biggest example I can think of is the bees. Many people, myself included, do not like bees, for several different reasons. The effect of this is that several bee species have a declining population because of this dislike and possible fear. Humans swat at bees whenever they come near them, or do everything in their power to kill them. This happens not only in countries around the world, but in everyone's towns and homes as well.
Preserving animal habitats is extremely important to our environment and society, especially regarding the food chain. If one animal species has their habitat destroyed, they will eventually die off, leaving their predators hungry. This then creates a domino effect, that will leave each of the animals hungry, which will then lead them into dying off. It is a shame that this happens, but it is mostly at the fault of humans. We destroy animal habitats, which can come around full circle and hurt us in the end. In chapter 9, the woodlands are described, hence the chapter title name. Belton discusses some of the trees he was around growing up, and explains how trees are not appreciated by many young children. I can definitely see this happening now, as kids are not outside very often, and just don't seem to care much about them. To kids, a tree is just a tree, and there is nothing special about them. They do not understand that trees give off oxygen that we breathe, so they are very much important and needed.
Even to this day, older adults do not appreciate the beauty of trees sometimes. Many politicians are in favor of cutting down trees in order to build housing, and my township is especially guilty of this. Countless trees, bushes, and other plants are being taken down, just to add to the already growing population. It is a shame to see my beautiful town cut down because of a hungry local government. As the Lorax would say, "Save the trees!" |
Rebecca MarcinkoJunior at Seton Hall University, studying Elementary Special Education, Environmental Studies, and Applied Behavioral Analysis. Archives
May 2018
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