Reference no: EM133207000 , Length: Word count: 250 words
Assignment Problem: After watching this video discuss why it is not such a good idea to build close to the coast. If you were the mayor of any coastal city what are some measures you will put in place to prevent people from building along the coast?
- Contribute to the discussion.
- Respond to at least two other student's discussion posting.
Reply To
Post 1:
Being one who defines their belief as libertarian in that one is free to do as they wish as long as it does not put someone else at risk in harm's way, does not cause infringement of another's freedoms/rights either physically, financially or otherwise, let one do as they will is a fair motto. This country allows people to get 'plastered/drunk/inebriated' or any name you wish to choose with legal consumption of alcohol. We can get heart disease and lung damage to the point of death from legally smoking cigarettes ,slowly destroying our health with one drawn-in breath at a time with warm tobacco pleasure. (I neither smoke nor drink but accept the rights of those who do in their own choice as long as my space is free of their second hand smoke and they do not drive drunk at all but most certainly not on my side of the road.) People react to 'SUDDEN DEATH' or potential for said death saying "It is too dangerous to live so close to the cliffs, it is too dangerous to live in New Orleans below sea level, it is too dangerous to live in Hawaiian islands near active volcanoes. Then we say "It's a free country." Well, if it is free and choices have benefits and consequence is it not then OK to live near things and natural phenomenon where weather affects humans and may have the potential to be deadly? People die of heat stroke in Texas, and this winter of cold due to the Arctic blast and no electricity. Settlers hundreds of years ago had none of our luxuries of today. So there is no guarantee. As long as you do not make me pay for it though taxes to support their choices, which some say are bad choices. And long as there is not a higher insurance rate for me to pay to cover their expenses for damage for someone choosing to live in the conditions that may bring nature to and through the front door to the point their home is gone. So, who am I to say you cannot build on the land at sea-edge or flood plains near rivers? If people are willing to accept the consequence then so be it. As long as it does not harm others. But let's look a minute at the environmental consequence. If the ocean swallows their cliff homes and there is toxic material in the building components (Though in restrictive California most of that is not acceptable) still, it could bring those toxins into the water and harm wildlife. So, now their home infringes on the health of sea-life and that is not acceptable. Devil's advocate on this take, I know...but truly, as long a they accept the costs on their own go for it. We allow people to do things that harm their health so is this any different just because it its dramatic and quick to see homes engulfed in slides versus one cigarette at a time or livers rotting away with cirrhosis from too much drinking habitually? Not apples to apples but you get the point.
Build where you want just do not expect much sympathy from others in your choices that had forewarning of the dangers should fate come knocking.
Post 2:
Personally, I do not think it is a good idea to build very close to the coast. There are clear and obvious dangers present in that situation, and people could easily lose their homes or their lives, depending on how extreme the weather is, how much support is left, and whether the people are able to evacuate in time or not. I can see how this choice would appeal to some people. Being so close to the beach would be nice and maybe some people like the thrill of living on the edge, but I would want to be on flat ground. On one hand I would say the choice is up to the person and they obviously have the right, but in the case of installing apartment complexes and other facilities so close, that puts a number of people at risk which I do not believe is okay.
If I was the mayor of a coastal city, I would ensure policies and other measures to heavily reduce the risk of catastrophe. Rising sea level and storms on the coast are large factors of this, so seawalls and sound construction should be top priorities. Emergency evacuations should go in place to assist those in need, and policies and building codes could help restrict the amount of structures built on the coast.