Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Citations

Adams, Sam. "Pros & Cons of Breakwaters." EHow. Demand Media, 08 Aug. 2010. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "Beach Management Funding Assistance (BMFA) Program  ." Beaches and Coastal Systems. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "Beach Nourishment." Beach Nourishment. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "Beachapedia." Seawalls -. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "Beachapedia." Shoreline Structures -. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "Breakwater | Marine Engineering." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

 "CONSCIENCE." CONSCIENCE. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 July 2015.

Analysis

1.
How does each possible solution for your chosen issue meet or fail to meet each of your criteria? Explain. Beach nourishment is the first solution examined, the issue lies within the cost of the project overall, if you consider that this solution is not a permanent one and needs periodic trials of the addition of sand to the beach, the cost adds up- thus increasing taxes to cover the expenses. The next solution would be breakwaters, the issue with breakwaters is that they are very unattractive to investors as well as beach-goers and they lower the overall value of property there, in addition to this- the breakwaters also disrupt the natural habitat of the beach and inhibit animals from moving freely. Lastly, beach walls are a solution with several flaws in it's design; beach walls erode over time due to waves crashing up then sucking sediment into a gaping hole that is created under the sea wall, this will in turn will erode the sea wall itself rendering it useless.  2. 
Based on your research, which is the best solution to turn into action? Explain why you made this choice over the other possible solutions. Refer back to the criteria and externalities. 
The best solution in mind would be beach nourishment, it upholds the natural beauty of the beach, keeps the habitat for the animals, is able to be replenished, the demand for artificial sand and workers creates jobs, and the overall appeal of the newly refurbished beach brings investors and tourists. Unlike the other two options, this solution provides a more aesthetically appealing project, this allows investors and tourists to flood into the area. Not only does it bring in tourists, but animals as well- sea turtles and birds are able to nest in areas they were previously unable to due to erosion. Overall this solution is the best because it is the most rewarding in the long run, and has the least disadvantages. 


6.03

06.03 Research Notes


Consider all possible solutions or alternatives. Give three possible solutions to the economic issue you are investigating.
Beach Nourishment
Breakwaters
Beach walls

Why would some people oppose the solutions you have chosen?  

Projects are considered expensive and time consuming  

1)Calculate the consequences of these solutions—both intended and unintended at all levels of the economy.What positive or negative externalities does this issue present at each sector of the economy? Refer to your circular-flow diagram. 

2) What are the externalities, both positive, and negative, that could result from each possible solution

Beach nourishment: 1,2)
Negative:Disrupts natural habitat, may crush animals living under the sand before new artificial sand is put in place, tax increase,
Positive: Creates jobs, keeps natural looking beauty of beach, increases tourism. Increases amount of stocks purchased in the area/property bought, loans created and loaned out, outsourced labor due to artificial sand being produced.

Breakwaters: 1,2)
Positive: Easily repaired protects against fast and large waves, provides jobs,
Negative: Aesthetically displeasing, relatively permanent, bad for animals trying to move from place to place or trying to feed, stocks are not bought in the area, businesses lose customers in that area, bad for the environment, Government charges more taxes

Sea walls 1,2)
Positive: Financial market loans increase, Provides coastal protection, protects against high waves and erosion, provides jobs in the building of it, much lower space requirement
Negative: Can damage the surrounding structures as well as itself overtime (waves shoot up seawall and back down creating a hole in the sediment below, thus caving in the seawall after a long time) lowers stock purchased in area after seawall is destroyed, businesses not as prosperous, Government charges more taxes.


3) What incentives do individuals, businesses, and government have to act on each possible solution?


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Beach nourishment: 3)
More beautiful beach (habitat maintained) this increases tourism to the area. Prevents coastal erosion for sometime/lowers it in the area and risk of storm damages for houses on the coast.

Breakwaters: 3)
Provides a very stable and secure (relatively permanent) solution to the erosion issue.

Seawalls: 3)
Takes up less space vs breakwaters, stronghold against high waves
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6.02

06.02 Module Six Project—Research Chart

Beach nourishment: The addition of artificial sand to local coastlines to prevent coastal erosion. What are the necessary conditions for any possible solution to work?
Are there budget or labor concerns?
Does the public need to be aware of and support the solution?
What challenges are there to implementing each solution?
How else might you judge possible solutions against each other?
What do your parents/others in the community say about the issue?
Should possible externalities factor into the chosen solution?


1. There is a necessary tax that must be imposed on citizens as processes such as beach nourishment and seawalls are expensive affairs. For beach nourishment it is vital that the grains of sand deposited on the beach are compatible to the native sand found on the beach. For breakwaters and seawalls there needs to be a minimum amount of space in order to slow down the waves approaching shore.
2. Beach nourishment is a repetitive process and requires periodic trials of additional material, the cost of revitalizing these coastlines rises high into the millions.In addition to money concerns, the large scale project requires many workers as well as significant time. Breakwaters as well as sea walls are costly and time consuming projects as well, however both are more permanent than beach nourishment- and are relatively permanent.
3) The public needs to be aware of this situation because in the local community the coastline is an extremely popular tourist destination, it is also important that they support the cause (Taxes are usually imposed for our beach care). As for breakwaters and seawalls they also require funding, for the seawalls we have the ticket entry price for the beach was increased so that they could fund the project.
4) The issue with beach nourishment is that it is not a permanent solution to the issue of coastal erosion, it is effective but costly- and requires periodic trials of materials to be added to the existing ones.
Breakwaters disrupt the natural wave pattern as well as habitats for many water dwelling creatures- they inhibit some from reaching shore. Breakwaters are also very unappealing to look at therefore decreasing tourism.
Seawalls are also very unattractive, they can pose a safety hazard for people who don't see them when walking, they are also very prone to breakage as they are exposed to citizens as well as waves when they reach their final point along the shore.
5) Beach nourishment is the most effective way to maintain the natural landscape (and aesthetic appeal) of the beach, this brings in tourism while still lessening the effects of erosion. Breakwaters bring down tourism when it comes to surfers as well, the man-made structures disrupt waves and provide a wake free zone that inhibits surfing-thus bringing down tourism.
Seawalls are very susceptible to corroding away, when rough waves hit the wall -they create a hole of sediment in the sea's floor, in time it will cave the seawall inward.
6) Coastal erosion has become an issue in our local community, over the years of going to Honeymoon island I have seen attempts at stopping it- large sandbags against the shore (which used to be parking lot but was eroded away), we've seen buildings destroyed that were once far from the water. The community knows that the issue needs to be put under control, it is affecting not only the environment but accessibility to the beach.
7) Possible jobs could result from this project, production of artificial sand in factories, however there is also the unintended affect of the disturbance of indigenous animals.
In addition to this- breakwaters and seawalls are very costly, they increase taxes on homeowners and could cause some people to lose their homes.


                                                               Beach Nourishment


                                                                     Breakwater


                                                       
                                                                         Seawall


6.01

1) The issue affects local residents in the sense that in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or large waves- citizens living on the coast will no longer be protected by the natural barriers that are coastal beaches.
2) Coastal erosion not only poses a danger to it's species, but also tourism- eroded beaches are not only hard to access, but not very appealing, or safe for that matter. This brings down tourism to the area, people will no longer be visiting the beaches in that area, bringing down local businesses that survive off of visitors.
3) Our government is now charging taxes to build man made structures in order to slow down the effects of erosion, state coastal parks are also charging higher entrance fees in order to fund the restoration of the park, and the local government is suffering due to beach complaints from residents.
4) Beach erosion is causing a downfall in the investment of beaches here in the United States, the solution would be beach nourishment- we would start purchasing outsourced labor and artificial sand overseas and here at home in order to complete the project.
5) An increase in the demand for artificial sand, cheap labor and trucks to carry said sand, beach erosion causes financial loss due to the destruction of property, and goods and services for the area relating to sand production as well as laborers increase.

What is Coastal Erosion?



           Coastal Erosion can be defined as a process in which land (coast, beach, etc.) is constantly being worn down by tidal waves, wind, or other actions.
It has become a major issue in the United States as Coastal Erosion erodes away the beach,some of the negative externalities include the destruction of habitat as well as tourism. Many areas have resorted to man made projects such as seawalls or beach nourishment to temporarily resolve the issue- these projects are conducted by local and state governments and require tax fees in order to fund.
One of the main reasons this is such a large issue is poverty, the coast protects thousands of homes from hurricanes, tidal waves, and winds; with the erosion of these natural barriers homes can be easily damaged in the event of a storm, and paying off these expenses has become too much for many residents.
As Florida residents ourselves, it is necessary for us as citizens to take care of our beaches, the first step is to stop interfering with natural habitats such as the coastline, the introduction of man-made structures disrupts these natural barriers; in addition to this, encourage your children to not touch plants at beaches, sea grasses as well as sea grapes take root in the sand keeping it firm, preventing it from easily blowing away.
In conclusion, it is necessary to protect our coastlines, as in the event of a storm they are the first line of defense for our homes and our citizens.