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Mar. 15th, 2024
Sinking Land
Mar. 15th, 2024 02:15 amSinking land increases risk for thousands of coastal residents by 2050
A new study provides a new comprehensive look at the potential for flooding in a combined 32 cities along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. It predicts as many as 500,000 people will be affected by flooding alongside 1 in 35 privately owned properties within the next three decades, and it highlights the racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
Well, that sounds wildly optimistic. We already have problems with sunny-day floods that are rapidly increasing, and most of the coastlines are developed. Of course, this study focused primarily on sinking land, rather than on other causes like rising sea levels, so the optimism may come from the narrow focus.
Bear in mind that 40% of America's population -- 127 million people -- lives in coastal counties. That means even if they don't get their feet wet, their local economy, jobs, schools, infrastructure, friends, relatives, etc. will be impacted. If the coast isn't up a high cliff from the waterline, it's vulnerable to flooding. Based on humanity's choices, ALL the low-lying coasts are going under, and it's not going to take nearly as long as people think because it doesn't have to be permanently underwater to be unusable.
A new study provides a new comprehensive look at the potential for flooding in a combined 32 cities along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts. It predicts as many as 500,000 people will be affected by flooding alongside 1 in 35 privately owned properties within the next three decades, and it highlights the racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
Well, that sounds wildly optimistic. We already have problems with sunny-day floods that are rapidly increasing, and most of the coastlines are developed. Of course, this study focused primarily on sinking land, rather than on other causes like rising sea levels, so the optimism may come from the narrow focus.
Bear in mind that 40% of America's population -- 127 million people -- lives in coastal counties. That means even if they don't get their feet wet, their local economy, jobs, schools, infrastructure, friends, relatives, etc. will be impacted. If the coast isn't up a high cliff from the waterline, it's vulnerable to flooding. Based on humanity's choices, ALL the low-lying coasts are going under, and it's not going to take nearly as long as people think because it doesn't have to be permanently underwater to be unusable.
Birdfeeding
Mar. 15th, 2024 03:18 pmToday is sunny and cool. It rained off and on yesterday afternoon and evening.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a flock of sparrows and a pair of house finches.
I raked the leaves away from the Colorado blue spruce.
I started trimming stems around the hazel bush.
The apricot tree is blooming. So are the first of the solid-purple violets. :D
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I fed the birds.
The day has gotten considerably warmer. Honeybees are now loudly servicing the apricot tree. \o/
I hauled a bag of compost and manure to the spruce tree, cut open the bag, and started spreading the compost. At least for now, Rural King has my favorite brand, American Countryside.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I spread more compost around the spruce tree.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I finished spreading compost around the spruce tree.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I watered the compost to flatten it down some.
That's all I have time for today, so I am done for the night.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a flock of sparrows and a pair of house finches.
I raked the leaves away from the Colorado blue spruce.
I started trimming stems around the hazel bush.
The apricot tree is blooming. So are the first of the solid-purple violets. :D
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I fed the birds.
The day has gotten considerably warmer. Honeybees are now loudly servicing the apricot tree. \o/
I hauled a bag of compost and manure to the spruce tree, cut open the bag, and started spreading the compost. At least for now, Rural King has my favorite brand, American Countryside.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I spread more compost around the spruce tree.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I finished spreading compost around the spruce tree.
EDIT 3/15/24 -- I watered the compost to flatten it down some.
That's all I have time for today, so I am done for the night.
Today's Adventures
Mar. 15th, 2024 09:29 pmToday's supper plans got waylaid, so we decided to go out for sushi instead.
As long as we were going out, we might as well pick up stuff we needed. So we went back to Rural King for a couple bags of mulch. It finally occurred to me to suggest getting some gloves to keep in the car for moving said bags of (often muddy) garden goods. I also hit the plant stand again and picked up two dark pink peonies, a white one, a bleeding heart, and a yellow raspberry.
We stopped at Dairy Queen for dessert. This month's special Blizzard flavor is an excellent mint chocolate brownie thing. :D
County Market was last, for groceries. I found a couple of houseplants in types I don't have, one large-leaf aloe vera and one prayer plant. We stocked up on a few hard-to-find items too.
All in all, it was a successful trip. \o/
As long as we were going out, we might as well pick up stuff we needed. So we went back to Rural King for a couple bags of mulch. It finally occurred to me to suggest getting some gloves to keep in the car for moving said bags of (often muddy) garden goods. I also hit the plant stand again and picked up two dark pink peonies, a white one, a bleeding heart, and a yellow raspberry.
We stopped at Dairy Queen for dessert. This month's special Blizzard flavor is an excellent mint chocolate brownie thing. :D
County Market was last, for groceries. I found a couple of houseplants in types I don't have, one large-leaf aloe vera and one prayer plant. We stocked up on a few hard-to-find items too.
All in all, it was a successful trip. \o/
