World

Warming Temperatures and Rising Sea Levels Threaten Coastlines

Published

4 years ago

June 29, 2019

cars in miami drive over sea water that's flooded into streets

A hurricane is one of the deadliest types of storm that occurs on planet Earth. They rage on both land and sea, and form powerful winds that can create massive waves and shatter glass all at once. Whether on a boat or on a coastline, a hurricane is something to steer clear of – its destructive force can travel hundreds of miles, ravaging everything in its path. And as ocean levels continue to rise, they have the potential to destroy more and more property situated on coastlines. While it is unknown if climate change will cause more hurricanes in the future, what is almost certain is that they will grow in both size and intensity. Despite hundreds of scientists making this prediction, cities continue to build on land that may soon be underwater.

When Hurricane Harvey struck the United States in 2012, it caused over $125 billion in damages, making it the costliest hurricane in United States history. In fact, the five costliest hurricanes on record occurred within the past fifteen years. As climate change continues to change the ocean’s temperatures as well as raise water levels, hurricanes will have more of a chance of reaching catastrophic sizes. As temperature’s increase, winds will become faster, and precipitation will increase. Rising sea levels means more coastal flooding, and higher storm surges when hurricanes do hit land. This spells trouble for the US population, 40% of which occupies coastal counties.

Cities are making an effort to counteract hurricanes and reduce the possible amount of damage. Boston has $80 billion worth of infrastructure which stands to be demolished if trends continue the way they are. The city is considering taking action against future hurricanes, by building a massive sea wall, along with a number of coastal parks which will minimize damages. However, with forty-seven miles of coastline, it’s a tall order. There is currently no exact estimate on how much such measures would cost, but with the property values and length needing to be covered, experts are certain that it would at least be in the billions of dollars.

Superstorm Sandy alone cost New York City over $19 billion, and roughly $71 billion in the US overall. Affecting much of the east coast, it struck down power lines, damaged roads, and tore down branches. While cleanup services such as Palmetto Tree Service enjoyed a temporary bump in earnings, most businesses were not so lucky. Besides hurricanes, coastal erosion costs the United States over $500 million a year in property damage, not to mention an additional $150 million in beach nourishment. But in addition to lost money, coastal wetlands are also being lost at a rapid rate. These wetlands are crucial to the conservation of hundreds of species of wildlife. Without them, species already endangered and cramped into these areas by human habitation will be lost to the ocean. If something isn’t soon done to protect these areas, or to relocate wildlife in them, then more and more species will be lost every day. As is, things are only going to get worse.

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World

Top Road Trip Destinations in Canada

Published

1 month ago

April 16, 2023

Jenny Jackson

Did you know that 1.93 million Americans traveled to Canada in 2020? That number was down year-over-year due to COVID-related travel restrictions.

While some Americans visit the Great White North via plane, others prefer road trips. It can be fun to plan an itinerary, book a hotel, pack the luggage, load your family into the car, and head to the border. But if a road trip to Canada is in the plans for you and yours this summer, what Canadian destinations are worth the potentially thousands of miles of driving? Keep reading to learn about the top road trip destinations in Canada.

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park is one of Canada’s 44 national parks and park reserves. Whether you’re an earlier bird or a night owl, the national park in Southern Saskatchewan provides an ideal prairie landscape. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and recalibrate your life.

Enjoy the great outdoors on a campsite, or take part in hiking adventures by exploring trails. The solitude and breathtaking beauty of this national park will leave you in awe. Make time for the Ecotour Scenic Drive. It’s about 20 km (around 12.5 miles) long and will take one to three hours to complete depending on your pace.

Toronto to Stratford, Ontario

If there’s one Canadian city most Americans have heard of, it’s Toronto. Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the fourth largest city on the continent. It’s also home to the only authentic castle in North America. Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto, is worth the visit. So, too, is the CN Tower, which is the biggest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The city also has citizens representing 200+ ethnic groups.

While there’s plenty to see and do in Toronto, why stop there? It’s a good idea to include a Toronto-to-Stratford excursion while on your road trip to Canada. You must travel 150 km (about 93 miles ) west to get to Stratford. You’ll see Victorian architecture and get to take in the live theater. Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Stratford before. But when you come for a visit, there’s a good possibility you won’t ever forget it.

North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

If you haven’t ever taken a road trip to Prince Edward Island, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s Canada’s smallest province, but it sure offers a boatload of fun. Are you a foodie or do you like to indulge in the local cuisine when traveling? Check out the western peninsula. You can delight your tastebuds with the range of food available.

Make time to visit the Canadian Potato Museum in the province. After taking in the sites and attractions at the museum, enjoy a meal at the onsite PEI Potato Country Kitchen. The menu has items like the chili topped baked potato, which features a baked potato, homemade chili, and cheese. Meanwhile, the pulled pork potato features a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream on the side. That’s just a sampling, and all baked potato dishes are served with fresh-cut, homemade chips.

If you’re intersted in a U.S. to Canada road trip this year, the options above will give you some ideas. The sky’s the limit since there’s so much to see and do.

You’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in good working order to avoid breakdowns. You’ll also want to stay alert on the road since you’ll be traveling a lot of miles and spending hours behind the wheel of your car.

If you get into an accident, you must know what to do. In addition to reporting the accident, calling your insurer, and possibly even booking a rental car to complete your road trip, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if anyone is injured.

No one wants to consider accidents or injuries when on a road trip. But it’s best to hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. You’ll enjoy the journey and the destination a lot more when you’ve done everything possible to prepare for any possible issues.