Why+the+US+is+threatened+by+more+frequent+flooding

 ScienceDaily. "USA threatened by more frequent flooding: Researchers show that the East Coast of the USA is slowly sinking into the sea." ScienceDaily. 17 Sept. 2017. Web. 11 Sept. 2017. < [] >

Published on September 11, 2017 Accessed on September 11, 2017 Source: University of Bonn
 * Why the US is threatened by more frequent flooding **

//“The East Coast of the United States is threatened by more frequent flooding in the future. According to this study, the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are most at risk. Their coastal regions are being immersed by up to three millimeters per year -- among other things, due to human intervention.” //
 * Summary **: According to recent GPS and satellite measurements, large parts of the East Coast are steadily sinking into the Atlantic Ocean. This problem can be attributed to a multitude of reasons. Among them, the heavy reliance and withdrawal of groundwater stands as the most plausible and consequential one. In addition, rising sea levels due to geological effects and global warming further catalyze this “sinking” effect. Not only are global warming and other human intervention-based issues exacerbating the effects of hurricanes (e.g., Harvey, Irma), but the occurrence of “nuisance” flooding--flooding that occurs on equable days--is also increasing. Cities lying on the East Coast of the United States are most at risk of this threat as the momentum of rising water is only increasing.

**Relevance to Course:** This issue strong relates to the coursework we are currently studying; for example, “Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability” heavily emphasizes the matter of living sustainably (Miller 5). A sustainable society manages its economy and population size without exceeding all or part of the planet’s ability to absorb environmental insults, replenish its resources, and sustain human and other forms of life over a specified period (Miller 5). However, at the present rate of land area deterioration, it is evident this is not transpiring. Human actions in recent years have only been contributing to the deterioration of our planet--once known as a sustainable system. **Opinion:** As aforementioned, one of the critical reasons frequent “nuisance” flooding is occurring is because of human actions (e.g., industrial emissions, improper disposal of waste) in the environment. Emphatically enforcing regulation and ordinances that prevent and limit certain activities will go a long way. Rectifying the issue will be far from easy, but it is important for the United States to recognize and address this exigent issue before more adverse consequences occur. Essentially, investing money, efforts, and resources now, and looking beyond the present and momentary wants and needs of the economy, will be much more beneficent to not only the American population’s health and safety but also the economy in the future. **Environmental Law:** Currently, there are quite a few ordinances, relating to groundwater and human-environment interaction. The Clean Air Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.) relates to reducing the rate of global warming. This regulation governs air emissions from both stationary and mobile sources; prioritizing the enforcement of laws such as this one would significantly aid in the pollution cleanup system.

US EPA. "Summary of the Clean Air Act | US EPA." US EPA. 22 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2017. < [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Nijhuis, Michelle. "Amid Drought, New California Law Will Limit Groundwater Pumping for First Time." News.nationalgeographic.com. 14 Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Sept. 2017. < <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">[] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">ScienceDaily. "USA threatened by more frequent flooding: Researchers show that the East Coast of the USA is slowly sinking into the sea." ScienceDaily. 17 Sept. 2017. Web. 11 Sept. 2017. < <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">[] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">>
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #444444; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources: **