Search Results

April 17, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim The weather is finally getting consistent here in Northern Virginia, and all I can think about are beaches, so here’s a relevant overview of shorelines and their contributions and concerns. Shorelines: narrow strips of earth in which the land and waters edge meet. Because it serves as a bridge between two worlds, a variety of organisms are affected including aquatic life and terrestrial life. Additionally, the different components of shorelines such as wetlands, braces, and dunes work to influence the many aspects of the environment such as water quality, habitats, and sediment stability (Ecosystems Services of Tidal Shorelines). Coastal conditions can be affected by agricultural runoff, chemical pollutants, climate change, and human activity (Coastal Waters). Climate change, which causes more aggressive storms and rise in sea level, by default causes shoreline erosion: the process by which local sea level rise, strong wave action, and coastal flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils, and/or sands along the coast (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit) (Coastal Resiliency). In fact, coastal flooding and erosion are a global concern (Cunha), and endanger both aquatic/terrestrial life. Additionally, it has proven to be costly: “In the United States, coastal erosion is responsible for roughly $500 million per year in coastal property loss, including damage to structures and loss of land. To mitigate coastal erosion, the federal government spends an average of $150 million every year on beach nourishment and other shoreline erosion control measures. In addition to beach erosion, more than 80,000 acres of coastal wetlands are lost annually…” (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit). It is clear that the issue is significantly prevalent. However, a likely solution exists, known as the concept of a living shoreline. A living shoreline is described as a method of coastal protection/conservation through the placement of resources such as sand, stones, and plants (Living Shoreline). The key idea behind this method is that it does not disturb other parts of the environment in the effort to protect the shoreline. For example, “Restoring affected wetlands can reduce wave heights and property damage by buffering the velocity and intensity of waves. In contrast to hard structures such as bulkheads and seawalls, vegetative shorelines provide multiple ecosystem benefits, including improved water quality, aquatic habitat, and carbon sequestration.” (Coastal Resiliency). Sources: https://www.vims.edu/GreyLit/VIMS/RiversAndCoast%20v4n1.pdf “Coastal Waters.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/coastal-waters. “Coastal Resiliency.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/coastal-resiliency. Cunha, Jacinto, et al. “Importance of Protection Service against Erosion and Storm Events Provided by Coastal Ecosystems under Climate Change Scenarios.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.726145/full. National Geographic Society. “Living Shoreline.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/living-shoreline/. “U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit.” Coastal Erosion | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit, https://toolkit.climate.gov/topics/coastal-flood-risk/coastal-erosion#:~:text=Coastal%20erosion%20is%20the%20process,or%20sands%20along%20the%20coast.

April 10, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim The weather is getting warmer, and in the world of agriculture, this means farmers market season. Put simply, a farmers market is a little marketplace in which farmers directly sell their goods to consumers. According to Saul, Farmers markets not only help boost local food economies, but they also provide cost effective retail, making farming much more efficient and profitable. As a place where community members gather to take home groceries, social interaction can also be increased and result in some community bonding. Farmers markets help preserve local lands/businesses, provide access to nutritious foods, promote healthier communities, and promote sustainable practices (Farmers Markets: There's more to market!). Next time you find yourself in need of some healthy groceries, consider visiting a local farmers market, and see below for some detailed infographics (farmersmarketcoalition.org and The Rise of Farmers’ Market in America) Sources: “The Benefits of Farmers Markets.” Farmers Market Coalition, https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/education/the-benefits-of-farmers-markets/. Blaustein-Rejto , Daniel. “Why Farmers Market? Infographic.” Farmers Market Coalition, 28 July 2015, http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/why-farmers-market-infographic/. Horton, Robin. “A Guide to Farmers' Markets.” PartSelect.com, 9 Sept. 2015, https://www.fix.com/blog/farmers-market-guide/.

April 4, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Spring is finally here, and all I can think about is the beach and all my favorite warmer weather activities, so here’s a quick post about ocean acidification. This occurrence is exactly what it sounds like: a global decrease in the pH in seawater. And if you haven’t guessed it already, the cause is an excess of CO2 being released into the earth’s atmosphere that is absorbed by the oceans. And this CO2 being released can be credited to human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, Raffery states that from the 1750’s, “... scientists have estimated, the average pH of seawater declined from 8.19 to 8.05, which corresponds to a 30 percent increase in acidity”. Over time, this issue has accumulated significantly, to a point where sea life has been put at risk. For example, ocean food chains can be altered, which would also impact human good supply; other effects also include the consumption of necessary minerals in the ocean (Understanding Ocean Acidification). According to the article Understanding Ocean Acidification, the locations that are most strongly affected by this occurrence are The Pacific Northwest, Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and areas off Maine and Massachusetts as of 2015. In terms of solutions to this major issue, there are many ways in which we as humans can contribute. First, we can start by making this issue more public, as many may not know about it; I too, was unaware until I started researching the issues of environmental concerns. Other more habitual lifestyles to fix this issue include eating less meat, using less energy, conserving water, reducing plastic consumption, carpooling more, public transit, and recycling (Ocean Acidification). To read more about how recycling can help the environment, refer to last week’s post! Sources: Rafferty, John P.. "ocean acidification". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/science/ocean-acidification. Accessed 2 April 2022. Fisheries, NOAA. “Understanding Ocean Acidification.” NOAA, https://test-www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-ocean-acidification. “Ocean Acidification.” Revolution, 3 Sept. 2021, https://therevolutionmovie.com/index.php/open-your-eyes/ocean-acidification/solutions/.

March 26, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Recycling! I’m sure you’ve heard of it, and I’m guessing you participate in the practice; if not, here’s why you should. Today, we’ll be discussing the importance of recycling glass. “Think about it: a glass jar will outlive generations of people simply by laying in a landfill. It can also kill wildlife, contribute to environmental stressors through continuous recreation, and plays a significant role in both air and water pollution when not recycled” (Beales). For example, glass is a leading contaminant, and might be polluting the stream in your neighborhood. She also states, “Glass is made of four components: sand, soda ash, limestone and color additives. Currently, there is no risk of shortage in these raw materials, but sourcing them often causes land degradation” (Beales). In other words, by not recycling, reusable resource material is lost, causing a need to extract more resources, which not only creates more work, but also destroys the land. “Glass is infinitely recyclable without loss in quality. Recycling glass has many proven environmental benefits–it reduces emissions, saves energy, and reduces consumption of raw materials” (The Glass Recycling Problem: What’s behind it, and what to do). If carefully managed, glass can be used in an effective and environmentally friendly way. But because glass is harder to sort at facilities, heavy/costly to transport, and can damage machines, it can be a little more complicated. Here in parts of Virginia, glass that was recycled normally (along with cartons/paper/plastic etc.) was no longer accepted. Instead, there are reserved purple glass recycling bins throughout the county where glass can be recycled. The only issues are that people are either unaware of this new system, or many don’t find it worth their time to drive to a purple bin to get rid of their glass. As a solution, some high school students in my area have helped develop “The Glass Recycling Network”, to help encourage the continued and proper recycling of glass. Simply ask your neighbors to recycle glass separately, offer to collect the glass from them once a week, and go up to your closest purple bin to recycle. Small yet consistent practices such as this can significantly impact the environment. Sources: Beales, Jacalyn. “Why You Should Always Recycle Glass (Even When It's Inconvenient).” Selva Beat, Selva Beat, 19 Sept. 2017, https://www.selvabeat.com/home/2015/9/10/why-you-should-always-recycle-glass#:~:text=Think%20about%20it%3A%20a%20glass,water%20pollution%20when%20not%20recycled. “The Glass Recycling Problem: What's behind It, and What to Do.” Great Forest, 16 Nov. 2021, https://greatforest.com/sustainability101/the-glass-recycling-problem/#:~:text=Glass%20is%20infinitely%20recyclable%20without,material%20maintains%20much%20public%20support.

March 22, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Interview/Information: Professor Heidi Marcum (Baylor University) Our human interaction directly with the environment is significant, but so is the way we interact with animals and wildlife. This is where the topic of ecology comes into play; this week I got to interview Professor Heidi Marcum from Baylor University. I learned some important information from the interview, so of course I’m sharing it here. Here is a quick dive into the world of the significance of human interaction with wildlife/nature: the issues, the practices, and the solutions. In terms of solving the issue, we have to get to the root of the issue before we can think about solving it. There are several significant correlations between humans and wildlife, which, according to Professor Marcum, can be a major concern: Humans are causing extinction of species because of the habitat we obtain. An overgrowth of the human population not only causes us to take up more space, but we also deplete many natural resources that are crucial to the survival of animals. When we use up too many resources, animals/plants are often forced to switch diets or ecosystems in an effort to simply survive. Even when visiting parks, our mere presence could cause sensitivity to the birds, resulting in them not wanting to raise their young in the area. Professor Marcum notes that her study on birds showed data that larger birds were more sensitive to human presence, than smaller birds were. So, if a bald eagle were to be prevalent in an area, a consideration would be to reserve an area for them, where humans won’t be a distraction. This train of thought might lead you to the topic of animal captivity. Animals that are kept captive may be “safer”, but they are deprived of freedom: they lack the ability to hunt, lack privacy, and are often surrounded by smaller groups of their own kind. Now that the issues have been discussed, we can move on to the solutions to the concerns mentioned above. Continuing on, to improve the life of captive animals, a solution might be to provide them with puzzle boxes for food and a rotation system where certain animals receive a time of privacy without humans staring at them all day. In places like SeaWorld, incorporating more educational info (besides just enjoyment) allows for the education of the public while raising awareness. An important term introduced to me by Professor Marcum is biophilia: innate love for the environment and nature. Connecting with nature is good for humans as well (direct health benefits from having pets), not just for animals. This means that even by educating the public on how they can help wildlife, major change can ensue. Understanding that location causes variation in how to approach issues is also important. For example, if you live in the countryside, you can leave a row of trees and rodents out in the wild for predators. If you live in the suburbs, plant bushes/plants, if you live in the desert, plant species of plants that accommodate the dry environment, and if you live in the inner city, consider gardening. We can have a positive impact by consuming locally grown foods, using energy efficient transportation/public transit, creating incentives to preserve land, and volunteering with wildlife protection groups. Every little action can accumulate, and preserve not only the environment but also those inhabiting it. Special Thank you to Professor Marcum for taking the time to talk to me about wildlife! Sources: Professor Heidi Marcum (Baylor University) (Interview)

March 13, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Now I don’t know about you, but I forgot volcanoes existed. They might seem so surreal, but I assure you they are very real, and very powerful when it comes to how they affect the environment. One article states“... volcanic gases like sulfur dioxide can cause global cooling, while volcanic carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, has the potential to promote global warming” (Volcanoes can affect climate). According to this article, the different volcanic gases and residue from a volcanic eruption is released into the earth's atmosphere, causing changes in global climate. In terms of climate cooling, sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid are converted into aerosols, which in turn increase light reflected back to space (Volcanoes can affect climate). Another cause of cooling temperatures can be directly from the dust particles and residue; these particles stay in the stratosphere, blocking sunlight (Center for Science Education). On the alternative side, volcanoes also release significant quantities of water vapor and carbon dioxide (Center for Science Education), which are the fundamental causes of global warming. Aside from climate change, volcanic ash is so small that it “can enter into practically everything—from car engines, to office building air vents, to personal computers. It can severely erode anything that it contacts, often causing machinery to fail” (Human and Environmental Impacts of Volcanic Ash). If it were to destroy the machinery, systems within the community would fail, and many complications would arise. I think it’s safe to say volcanic eruptions are not something to appreciate, though they are fascinating. Sources: “Volcanoes Can Affect Climate.” Volcanoes Can Affect Climate | U.S. Geological Survey, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanoes-can-affect-climate#:~:text=Volcanoes%20can%20impact%20climate%20change,little%20impact%20on%20climate%20change. “Center for Science Education.” How Volcanoes Influence Climate | Center for Science Education, https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/how-climate-works/how-volcanoes-influence-climate#:~:text=The%20gases%20and%20dust%20particles,the%20characteristics%20of%20the%20eruption. National Geographic Society. “Human and Environmental Impacts of Volcanic Ash.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/human-environmental-impact-volcanic-ash/.

March 6, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Some of the most environmental destruction are a result of war as it is “linked to other serious ecological consequences from refugee camps, administrative neglect, the pillaging of natural resources and the incineration of various highly toxic wastes in exposed military “burn pits” (Surma). Most of you have probably heard by now of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It’s extremely saddening to see the many innocent lives being destroyed, and though environmental issues emerge from this type of conflict, it can’t compare to the way the conflict impacts the people. However, the environmental impact can contribute directly to the well-being of people. “The environmental impacts include the release of toxic materials into air, water and soil from crumpled buildings, impaired sanitation systems, exploded pipelines and damaged industrial facilities like fuel and chemical storage sites” (Surma). Just the way humans can impact the environment, the environment can impact humans and the toxic chemicals, and radiation can cause disease and induce long term illnesses in people. “The effects of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death” (Wildland Fire Research: Health Effects Research). Another article by the EPA states, “Exposure to very high levels of radiation, such as being close to an atomic blast, can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation syndrome (“radiation sickness"). It can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease” (Radiation Health Effects). Though not much can be predicted of what is to come, it is clear that humans detrimental acts to the environment find a way of projecting back to humans. Both the well-being of many people and the environment are at risk from this conflict, so I encourage you to do what you can to help alleviate the conflict whether that is through raising awareness, donations, or other methods. Sources: Surma, Katie. “Activists Deplore the Human Toll and Environmental Devastation from Russia's Unprovoked War of Aggression in Ukraine.” Inside Climate News, 4 Mar. 2022, https://insideclimatenews.org/news/04032022/activists-deplore-the-human-toll-and-environmental-devastation-from-russias-unprovoked-war-of-aggression-in-ukraine/#:~:text=The%20environmental%20impacts%20include%20the,fuel%20and%20chemical%20storage%20sites. “Wildland Fire Research: Health Effects Research.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 4 June 2019, https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/air-research/wildland-fire-research-health-effects-research_.html. “Radiation Health Effects.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 14 Apr. 2021, https://www2.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-health-effects.

February 21, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Can an increased use of public transportation positively impact the environment? Today, automobiles are more common than ever due to the convenience it provides, but it can be detrimental to the environment. In fact, in 2021, nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions came from transportation alone. Private vehicles release significant amounts of carbon emissions and can be far less efficient than that of public transit. Increased use of public transportation can reduce these carbon emissions, save energy, reduce congestion, and also allow more accessible transportation for communities. Not to mention, it is much cheaper than driving a private vehicle. Reduced carbon emissions, as we know, will help reduce climate change and preserve energy (more on this topic can be found in previous posts). A more prevalent use of public transportation can also result in more compact societies; this would allow for more available land and possibly reduce urbanization and deforestation. Perhaps private transportation isn’t as appealing anymore. Sources: “Public Transit Leading in Transition to Clean ... - Apta.” Apta.com, https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/reportsandpublications/APTA-Transit-Leading-Clean-Technology.pdf. “Federal Vehicle Standards.” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 27 Jan. 2022, https://www.c2es.org/content/regulating-transportation-sector-carbon-emissions/#:~:text=29%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20greenhouse,total%20U.S.%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions. Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2019 (EPA, 2021)

February 13, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim Fast fashion: the mass production of trendy clothing that cycles through many stores. We see it all the time in stores and on social media. Don’t worry, I get it too; only wearing sustainable clothing is difficult and may feel impossible, but here are some ways you can make little fashion decisions that can seriously help the environment. You can consider exchanging clothes, shopping from sustainable brands, or thrifting. Here are some basics on the significance of fabrics in clothing. Factories often use many low quality synthetic fabrics in order to lower prices. Some fabrics to avoid include polyester, viscose, and nylon. And some fabrics that are more eco-friendly include organic cotton, organic hemp, organic linen, and bamboo. In fact, some come up with interesting fabrics that are better for the environment: tencel (from wood pulp), pinatex (from pineapple leaf), and qmonos (spider silk…yup). One of the most obvious options to building a more sustainable close is simply shopping from brands that prioritize sustainability. These brands prioritize minimizing carbon emissions in factories, and their packaging and materials are often recycled. Many are also known to have fair working wages/conditions for their workers. But, the most relevant aspect is most likely the fabrics used in their actual clothes, such as the use of cotton and linen instead of fabrics such as polyester and nylon. Some examples would be Pact, Quince, Boden, and Outerknown. While these are great alternatives to fast fashion stores, you’ve probably never heard of them, and most of these stores can be much pricier. So, a much more common alternative is this: thrifting and exchanging. There’s most likely a thrift store near you where you can sell, buy, or donate clothes to. Or if you have friends who also have some old clothes, consider a clothing swap. In fact, if your school has an eco-friendly based club, consider hosting a clothing exchange (our green club is currently doing this). It’s a great way to grab some new clothes for free while upcycling your old clothes. Sources: Staff. “35 Ethical and Sustainable Clothing Brands Betting against Fast Fashion.” The Good Trade, The Good Trade, 11 Feb. 2022, https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing. Le, Ngan. “The Impact of Fast Fashion on the Environment - PSCI.” Princeton University, The Trustees of Princeton University, https://psci.princeton.edu/tips/2020/7/20/the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-the-environment. Rauterier, Solene. “What Are the Most Sustainable Fabrics?” Good On You, 31 May 2019, https://goodonyou.eco/most-sustainable-fabrics/. Kaitlyn. “A Guide to the Most and Least Sustainable Fabrics.” Eco, 5 Dec. 2021, https://www.eco-stylist.com/a-guide-to-the-most-and-least-sustainable-fabrics/.

February 6, 2022 Written by: Caroline Kim There are numerous aspects of the environment that impact and can be harmful to the ocean, but some of these issues reach as far as the ocean. These are a result of human activity as well as other global impacts such as climate change. One major issue is pollution, which can be in the form of straight out ocean dumping; this is simply when waste and debris are dumped into the ocean. A less forward form of pollution is runoff: pollution comes from all over the earth such as soil from agricultural lands. This can especially be threatening to life in the oceans, because this type of runoff can carry dangerous chemicals with it. Another major issue is derived from infamous carbon emissions: carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere lowers the pH level in oceans, which endangers ocean life and can be a problem to those who depend on fish. Going hand in hand, climate change also causes rising sea levels, increasing the possibilities of flooding. A major ocean affected by these climate changes is the Arctic; this is due to the amounts of snow and ice in the oceans. In fact, the arctic is warming at a rate twice as fast as that of most of the world. Because animals in the arctic are so specialized, this change in the climate is expected to cause alterations in the food webs as well as animal behavior. Because of their rapidly changing habitat, and prey/predators, animal populations in the arctic are also expected to change. Cut downs on carbon dioxide and methane would significantly reduce climate change, including climate change in the arctic. But what is the best solution? Putting a price on carbon? Trees? What are your thoughts? Sources: Raunek, et al. “11 Threats to Marine Environment You Must Know.” Marine Insight, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.marineinsight.com/environment/11-threats-to-marine-environment-you-must-know/. “Climate Change in the Arctic.” Norsk Polarinstitutt RSS2, https://www.npolar.no/en/themes/climate-change-in-the-arctic/#:~:text=The%20Arctic%20is%20warming%20three%20times%20as%20fast%20and%20the%20global%20average.&text=(albedo%20effect).-,This%20significant%20regional%20warming%20leads%20to%20continued%20loss%20of%20sea,fast%20and%20the%20global%20average. “Climate Change and the Arctic.” Marine Mammal Commission, 2 May 2019, https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/arctic/climate-change/. “How to Save the Arctic's Moderating Role on Global Warming.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 1 Apr. 2019, https://thebulletin.org/2019/04/how-to-save-the-arctics-moderating-role-on-global-warming/#:~:text=Fast%20mitigation%20at%20scale%20can,by%20up%20to%20two%2Dthirds.

Written by: Caroline Kim Interview from: Professor Deborah Lawrence (UVA) January 29, 2022 As you know, two major concerns in the environmental science field are climate change and deforestation. But how do the two forces work in conjunction and what’s important to consider. Last week, I had the privilege of interviewing Professor Deborah Lawrence from the University of Virginia; all the information can be credited to her. For reference, deforestation is the clearing of trees and forests either on purpose by humans or by other natural causes such as forest fires; climate change is the prolonged fluctuations in temperature and weather commonly because of the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gasses. Climate change and deforestation can cause enormous damage to the environment, but the way they work together can also be a part of the solution. Deforestation at a large enough scale can influence energy balance in the atmosphere- both near and far. Depending on the varying ecosystems, climate change can vary among different regions on earth; for comparison, ice melting below glaciers would cause more intense changes in ocean levels whereas rising sea levels in Virginia would be much less distinct due to already warmer oceans. On a smaller scale, climate change can also influence forests differently. For example, plants in the rainforest may be more accustomed to warm weather, so they would be closer to the extreme conditions that plant life can reach. On the topic of rainforests, rainfall is a consequence of climate change, and therefore when the climate changes, so do the rainfall patterns. For example, stronger, more intense storms are a result of warmer climate because the atmosphere contains more moisture. Here’s a quick idea of climate change on a molecular level: greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide absorb heat very well, and its bonds trap the heat instead of releasing it. As a result, radiated heat is sent back into the environment, but there isn’t a way to really send that heat back out. But what about the answer to the big question: what exactly is the relationship between climate change and deforestation? Because trees contain so much carbon, if you were to deforest all forests, extreme amounts of fossil fuels would be accessed, resulting in climate change. And here is where this relationship can come in handy: forests can take up carbon dioxide and store it for hundreds of years. Though reforestation is a candidate, it would at most only be 20% of the solution; it also would be beneficial to put a price on carbon and rethink the energy systems as a whole. Though the issue of climate change has not been solved yet, with new technology and advancements, we hope that sometime soon alternatives and solutions can be created.

Written by: Caroline Kim January 17, 2022 Recently, there was a tsunami advisory for the U.S. West Coast. Though Tsunamis aren’t a concern here where I live, it made me wonder how Tsunamis affect the environment. Though it is detrimental to humans and communities that are affected by it, could Tsunamis harm the environment just the same? Many articles I have read explain that tsunamis are most common near the pacific and Indian oceans due to them being high earthquake zones. Tsunamis are caused by a large displacement of water, which are often induced by earthquakes. However, in certain rare cases, tsunamis can be caused by volcanoes, landslides, and certain types of weather that occur near or above the ocean. Tsunamis slow down when approaching land, however in deeper oceans they can reach over speeds of 500 mph. Some important signs that precede a tsunami include earthquakes and a random recession of the ocean tide. An article by smsTsunamiwarning explains that tsunamis can be extremely harmful to the environment: uprooting trees and plants, destroying animal habitats, drowning animals, and augmented pollution in the environment. Of all of these issues, however, solid debris seems to be the most concerning. Research has also shown that radiation can be an issue to the environment; for example, if nuclear plants are washed out, the radiation can cause long term damage to both humans and animals. Another issue to consider is that tsunamis can harm the environment that exists below the ocean: the ocean floor can erode and coral reefs can be damaged. On land, cliffs and hills can be damaged, and salinization can cause the saltwater to damage crops and groundwater. Overall, it’s safe to say tsunamis are extremely detrimental to the environment. Sources: “Tsunamis: The Effects.” Tsunami, https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-effects#.YeSbTv7MI2w. “FAQ Tsunamis.” NOAA Center for Tsunami Research - FAQ Results, https://nctr.pmel.noaa.gov/faq_display.php?kw=15. “Tsunamis.” Tsunamis | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1 Oct. 2018, https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/tsunamis#:~:text=A%20tsunami%20is%20a%20series,sometimes%20crossing%20entire%20ocean%20basins. Naroju, Sandesh. “13 Main Effects of Tsunami on the Environment.” RiddleLife, 12 Sept. 2019, https://www.riddlelife.com/effects-of-tsunami-on-the-environment/.