Discuss an environmental problem that you feel is significant in your town or city. What are some causes?
Are any of these causes related to human values and environmental ethics? Explain. (Ms. Sue I am a bit confused about the second question)
The city of Miami located on the southeastern part of Florida is characterized as a subtropical city situated on flatlands. During the wet season, the biggest environmental problem that I feel is significant to the city is the sanitary sewer overflow, caused by the city’s low terrain: its elevation is about 40 feet above sea level, and the groundwater table is only three to six feet below the earth’s surface. The problem is usually caused by storms and hurricanes. When it rains, water is absorbed through the sandy earth and continues on through the sewer pipe beneath the metropolitan area. When excess water comes trough the pipes, this causes the system to overload.
The second question is asking whether it's the people's fault that the storm sewers overflow.
People can't control the storms, but they didn't have to build such a huge city in such a fragile environment. They also could have built a more expensive but better sewer system. However, the article says that the problem was planned to be fixed at a cost of over 1 billion dollars in 2002.
To identify the causes of sanitary sewer overflow in Miami, we can consider the geographic and natural factors of the city. The low elevation and high groundwater table mentioned in the description play a significant role in this environmental problem. The flat terrain of Miami makes it more susceptible to flooding and the infiltration of water into the sewer system.
During storms and hurricanes, the excessive rainfall and storm surge add to the volume of water that needs to be drained by the sewer system. However, because the groundwater table is already high, the system becomes overloaded, leading to sanitary sewer overflow.
These causes of sanitary sewer overflow in Miami are related to both natural factors and human values and environmental ethics.
The natural factors, such as the low elevation and high groundwater table, are beyond human control. They are part of the geographic characteristics of the city. However, humans have chosen to build and inhabit a city in this location, knowing the environmental constraints it poses.
The human values and environmental ethics related to this issue are related to urban development and land use planning. The decision to develop a city in a low-lying area with high groundwater tables has important implications for the environment and public health.
These decisions reflect human values that prioritize economic development and urban expansion over environmental considerations. It raises questions about the ethics of urban planning and whether enough importance is given to environmental sustainability and the long-term impact on the city and its residents.
In summary, the significant environmental problem of sanitary sewer overflow in Miami is caused by the city's low elevation and high groundwater table, exacerbated by storms and hurricanes. These causes are related to both natural factors and human decisions regarding urban development and land use planning. The ethical implications of these decisions raise questions about societal values and priorities in relation to environmental sustainability.